Advanced Studies in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

The curriculum is comprised of 30 ninety minute classes per trimester for a total of 270 classroom hours in the two years of training.

Classes meet on Friday afternoons. Please see the schedule for the dates and times of the meetings.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the American Psychoanalytic Association and the New Orleans Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 135 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION FOR ALL LEARNERS: None of the planners and presenters of this CME program have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Year One

1st Trimester

ACC: OPENING PHASE-PSYCHOANALYTIC CASE
Candidates present current psychoanalytic work in detail in these seminars. The material is used to discuss the overall process of psychoanalysis and technical issues in general. Under optimal circumstances, there is special emphasis on the problems of the opening phase with particular attention paid to the therapeutic alliance.

GETTING STARTED, ETHICS
Analyzability, setting the analytic frame and the analyst's perspective: One main objective of scheduling this course very early in the curriculum is to familiarize candidates/fellows with some of the issues involved in starting the first analytic/psychoanalytic psychotherapy case, as candidates/fellows are encouraged to begin an analytic/psychoanalytic psychotherapy case shortly after the course is finished. Attention is given to the very common phenomena of transition from psychotherapy to psychoanalysis/psychoanalytic psychotherapy and the complexity of such change. Suitability of a particular individual to successfully participate in this type of work is considered from a variety of perspectives with attention to some follow-up studies.

The ethics portion of this course acquaints the candidates/fellows with the ethics of psychoanalysis/psychoanalytic psychotherapy as they apply in the clinical situation. Confidentiality, records, and conflicts of interest are discussed in depth. The various non-sexual boundary violations involving gifts, fees, dual relationships, and excessive self-disclosure are described with attention to difficult clinical situations. The problem of sexual boundary violations is also taught in terms of the high-risk situations involving particular groups of patients as well as vulnerabilities in analysts/psychoanalytic psychotherapists.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT THROUGH ADOLESCENCE
The developmental phases of infancy, pre-oedipal, oedipal, latency and adolescence are approached from different theoretical perspectives and an attempt at definition of these phases is suggested. Psychopathology emerging at these times is categorized and described, with the help of literature as reference. Actual case material may be available from class members.

2nd Trimester

WORKING WITH DREAMS
This course will cover psychoanalytic theory of dreaming and its application to clinical work, "The Interpretation of Dreams," and other writings, and contrast these with contemporary views of the dream process. Changing views about the role of dream interpretation in psychoanalysis and the influence of various psychoanalytic theories on clinical work with dreams will be examined through selected readings and the presentation of clinical dream material by candidates and teachers.

CTD I: CLASSICAL AND EGO PSYCHOLOGY THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENT
Freud's trauma, topographical, and structural models are presented as representing the primary origins of psychoanalysis. Subsequently, Hartman's adaptive model (Ego Psychology) and the work of Erikson, Spitz, Jacobson and Loewald are considered in their relationship to the further modifications and developments led by Anna Freud and Joseph Sandler.

ACC: OPENING PHASE-PSYCHODYNAMIC CASE (with readings)
Candidates and/or fellows present current psychodynamic work in detail in these seminars. The material is used to discuss the overall process of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and technical issues in general. Under optimal circumstances, there is special emphasis on the problems of the opening phase with specific attention paid to the therapeutic alliance. Readings appropriate to the case material will be discussed.

3rd Trimester

BEGINNING TO WRITE
The focus in this initial class on writing will be to assist candidates/fellows in writing their six-month reports. There will be free writing exercises at the beginning of each class and discussion of these writings among class members. Candidates/fellows will be asked to describe the therapeutic process in one session, process over a week, and then process over a month of analytic work. Finally, candidates/fellows are expected to bring a draft of their six-month report. Copies will be given to members of the class with small group discussions. These discussions of reports will be done in an atmosphere that focuses on the writing: what works, what does not work, whether the sentences are clear, the paragraphs are coherent, the voice active, and whether there is good description of analytic process. These sessions are not supervisory sessions on clinical work but on understanding and learning effective writing. It is emphasized how vulnerable one is when writing and that it is important to be respectful of this when discussing colleagues' work. The last sessions of this trimester will continue with free writes at the beginning of class and then discussion of readings and other writing that candidates/fellows may be doing.

A/I: EGO PSYCHOLOGY THEORY
This course will examine the shift from the early topographical model of Freud to the later structural model (1923/26) and the increased importance given to the role of the ego within that model. Attention will be given to how a changed understanding of defense, intrapsychic conflict, compromise formation, internalization, and adaptation has influenced our understanding of the psychoanalytic process and technique. Key authors to be studied will include S. Freud (1923/26), A. Freud, Arlow, Brenner, Waelder, Mahler, Paul Gray, David Beres, and Joseph Sandler.

TAC I: BASIC CONCEPTS OF TREATMENT & CHANGE
In this seminar, basic theories of therapeutic action in the context of the aims and goals of the fundamental theoretical perspectives will be considered. Catharsis/abreaction, interpretation, extra transferential interventions, empathy, relational/interpretive learning, enactments, reconstruction, "new experience" in the therapeutic encounter, and other topics will be discussed in their relationship to change—both temporary and permanent.

Second Year

1st Trimester

ACC: MID-PHASE-PSYCHOANALYTIC CASE
Candidates present current psychoanalytic work in detail in these seminars. The material is used to discuss the overall process of psychoanalysis and technical issues in general. Under optimal circumstances, there is special emphasis on the problems of the mid phase including the process of working through.

RESISTANCE & TRANSFERENCE
Resistance, transference and countertransference are the three core technical concepts of psychoanalysis. Resistance is the unconscious process that opposes psychic change. Transference is the patient's experience of the past in the relationship with the analyst/therapist. Countertransference is the analyst's/therapist's response to the patient in their relationship. In this course the student is immersed in these highly complex concepts. The readings begin with Freud's efforts to understand resistance and transference as he invented psychoanalysis, focus next on the work of Greenson who in the 1960's attempted to codify analytic technique, and then include contributions by contemporary psychoanalysts who examine the psychoanalytic process in new and creative ways.

CTD II:OBJECT RELATIONS THEORY OF DEVELOPMENT
In the second trimester of this series, various Object Relations approaches to psychoanalysis will be discussed, beginning with Klein, Bion, and Rosenfeld and extending into the views of the "independent school" of British psychoanalysts (Fairbairn, Guntrip, and Winnicott). The relationship between these approaches and the work of Kernberg and Kohut will be taken up along with Bowlby's attachment theory, Fonagy and Target's view of mentalization, and the approaches of the contemporary London Kleinians (Brett-Spillius, Joseph, Steiner, Britton, Friedman, et al.) The seminar follows an outline of broad themes as psychoanalysts moved from drive theory to object relations and attachment theory.

2nd Trimester

CTD III: INFANT RESEARCH AND ATTACHMENT THEORY
In this trimester we will look at the contributions of modern infant research to our understanding of the infant's psychological development. The findings of infant research have challenged many of the fundamental concepts of classical psychoanalytic thought. If psychoanalytic theory is to remain a viable scientific theory of human psychological development, these findings must be taken into account. In this trimester we will cover the contributions of Bowlby, Stern, Beebe and Lachmann, Fonagy and Lichtenberg, and others.

A/I: OBJECT RELATIONS THEORY I
The course will focus specifically on the clinical implications of the shift away from the Freudian instinct model to the role of object relationships and "internal objects" in the understanding of the therapeutic frame, the content of analytic material, therapeutic interventions, and the nature of therapeutic change. This course will include readings from the works of Klein/Bion School, including Joseph, Britton, and Steiner, the works of the British Independent School including Fairbairn, Guntrip, Balint, Winnicott, and Bollas, and the American Object Relations theorists including Jacobson, Kernberg and Ogden, and others.

ACC: MID-PHASE-PSYCHODYNAMIC CASE (with readings)
Candidates/fellows present current psychodynamic work in detail in these seminars. The material is used to discuss the overall process of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and technical issues in general. Under optimal circumstances, there is special emphasis on the problems of the mid phase including the process of working through. Readings appropriate to the case material will be discussed.

3rd Trimester

NEUROLOBIOLOGY
In this course the candidates/fellows will learn some of the basic neuroscience concepts that are influencing the field of psychoanalysis. Beginning with a discussion of the philosophical mind-body problem, the seminar then provides a foundation in neural network theory. Procedural and declarative memory, along with their implications for psychoanalytic conceptualization and technique, are also discussed in-depth. One session features the impact of neurobiology on psychoanalytic views of dreaming. The impact of psychoanalytic treatment on the brain is also covered, as are speculations about how our knowledge of neuroscience affects concepts like transference, compromise formation, and therapeutic action. Authors covered include Kandel, Edelman, Gabbard, Westen, Schore, Solms, and Damasio.

TAC II: PERSONALITY DISORDERS
In this seminar, basic diagnostic categories of psychopathology (obsessive, hysteric, character neurosis, etc.) will be presented and explored. Analytically appropriate therapeutic approaches to diagnosis in relation to each theoretical perspective will be considered in the context of therapeutic action and outcome.

ACC: TERMINATION-PSYCHODYNAMIC CASE (with readings)
Candidates/fellows present current psychodynamic work in detail in these seminars. The material is used to discuss the overall process of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and technical issues in general. Under optimal circumstances, there is special emphasis on the problems of the termination. Readings appropriate to the case material will be discussed.

SUPERVISION

One individual supervision will be required weekly or every other week at the discretion of the supervisor. This will be for the first training case during the first year. Beginning in the second year in a addition to the ongoing first case, a second supervision with another supervisor will be required at least every other week for a second training case. Cases are to be in psychodynamic psychotherapy minimally at once per week and preferably at two or more times per week. Supervision is expected to continue during the summer months between the first and second years. Supervisors are to be chosen from Center faculty. Fees are arranged on an individual basis by the fellow and the supervisor. Time in supervision is not accounted for in the continuing education credits offered but is required in order to adequately participate in clinical case conferences and as a means of evaluating each fellows development as a psychodynamic psychotherapist.

PERSONAL PSYCHOTHERAPY OR PSYCHOANALYSIS

Each participant in the Program, must, concurrent with the program, be involved in a personal experience in psychodynamic/psychoanalytic psychotherapy or psychoanalysis in order to increase sensitivity to the workings of unconscious forces and to begin to free the participant from personality conflicts that might impede the development of psychotherapeutic competence. The therapy must be a minimum of once per week, preferable with multiple sessions weekly.

TUITION

Program tuition is $4050.00 per year. Tuition may be paid in installments, as follows:
September 1of academic year…$2025.00
January 1 of academic year…….$1025.00
March 1 of academic year………..$1000.00
There is a non-refundable application fee of $125.00, payable to the New Orleans-Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center to be submitted along with the application.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible applicants are those who have attained a M.S.W., D.S.W., L.P.C., D.M.H., M.S. in psychiatric nursing, Psy.D., Ed.D., or Ph.D. in psychology. Eligible applicants must be licensed, professionally insured and practicing. Graduates of a medical school approved by the American Medical Association will be eligible after satisfactory completion of the second year of psychiatric training. The Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation or physical disability.
Questions concerning the Advanced Studies in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy program and the application procedure can be directed to the New Orleans-Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center at (504) 899-5815 or email to nobpcenter@gmail.com. Early application is recommended.

Application

Please fill out the application(s) and mail to:

New Orleans-Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center
3624 Coliseum St.
New Orleans, LA 70115

Advanced Studies in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Application (.pdf)

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