Psychoanalytic Events & News

Jane Prelinger, MSW, Chair

The Clinical Program on Psychotherapy Practice is a two-year certificate program providing in-depth study of contemporary psychodynamic theory and practice in both individual psychotherapy and other treatment modalities. The program emphasizes the psychotherapeutic relationship as the central healing force in psychotherapy. The Clinical Program adheres to no single theory; ego psychology, self psychology, object relations and interpersonal theories are all considered in depth and applied to clinical work. Theoretical formulations are examined, particularly those of the contemporary self psychological and relational theories, from the perspective of how they explain and support their clinical applications.

Three elements distinguish this program from others at the Washington School:

1.      Training in multiple treatment modalities is central. In addition to the primary emphasis on individual psychotherapy,       courses are taught on Family, Group, Couple and Brief Psychotherapy. All students receive training in each of these     modalities; each student also selects an area of emphasis in which to receive clinical supervision.

2.      Students have one-on-one supervision of individual psychotherapy and of the student’s chosen alternate treatment modality. The Class Dean acts as an advisor to each student.

3.      Students are required to participate in two additional WSP training weekends of their choice, with the approval of their     class dean.

CURRICULUM

The curriculum is organized around a Core Sequence and an Alternate Modality Sequence. The Core Sequence introduces the student to the following:

1.     Personality Assessment: The study of clinical assessment through the medium of the clinical interview.

2.      Phases of Psychotherapy: A course is devoted to each of the phases of treatment: beginning, middle and termination.

3.       Infant Observation Course: Students observe patterns that emerge as parents and infants relate to one another;     observations are linked to students’ clinical material.

4.      Dreams and the Unconscious: Using dreams, this course explores the nature of the unconscious: what dreams reveal, the role they play in the therapeutic process and how they can be used to deepen the intensity and meaning of psychotherapy.

5.        Psychopharmacology: A brief introduction to the various classes of psychopharmacologic medications and their use in          conjunction with psychotherapy.

The Alternate Modality Sequence provides grounding in:

1.      Group Psychotherapy: A course in theory of group functioning, including a process group that facilitates a learning                  opportunity through attention to the here-and-now process.

2.       Couple and Family Psychotherapy: Clinical and theoretical aspects of object relations couple and family therapy are explored.

3.       Brief Psychotherapy: An introduction to the current principles of brief therapy.

SUPERVISION

Each student receives weekly clinical supervision with a member of the faculty. In the second year, the student starts weekly supervision in one of the alternate treatment modalities as well. Supervisors are assigned by the Steering Committee. The Eugene Meyer III Treatment Center, one of two nonprofit outpatient clinics of WSP, may be able to offer a placement for students in this program. Other clinical placements in the Washington area may be available for students who do not have appropriate clients at their places of employment.

SCHEDULE

Classes meet Thursday evenings from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., with an hour break for dinner during which students are encouraged to eat together.

ELIGIBILITY

Selection of students is made on an individualized basis. In general, students are expected to have a graduate degree in a mental health field, some experience conducting psychotherapy and some knowledge of psychodynamic theory.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition for the 2009–2010 academic year is $2,300. Supervision is $75 per session. Limited scholarship money may be available, based on need and merit.

Washington School of Psychiatry 5028 Wisconsin Ave. Suite 400, Washington D.C. 20016-4118
phone: 202-237-2700 fax: 202-237-2730 email: wspdc.info@wspdc.org