The Society

LAISPS provides its members and candidates with a warm, collegial professional home. It is a place for intellectual stimulation, professional networking, and deep personal friendships. From the first year of training, our candidates are invited to participate in the daily operation of the organization. Upon graduation, they become full members of the society with voting privileges and are encouraged to contribute to its development and vitality by assuming positions of leadership.

In addition to the growth of its members and candidates, LAISPS is committed to providing psychoanalytic education to the mental health community through the following programs:

• The Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Certificate Program consists of an in-depth one-year exposure to psychoanalysis with a strong emphasis on practical application through case conferences and group supervision.
• The Extension Division features topical seminars in psychoanalytic theory, technique, and applied psychoanalysis.
• LAISPS Referral Service offers low-fee psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis to individuals in the community. For Further Information Call (310) 440-0333
• Scientific Programs and Workshops provide an opportunity for members, candidates and local, national and international psychoanalysts to present original psychoanalytic papers. Weekend workshops allow for more extensive study of special topics.
• Professionals Affiliated with LAISPS (PALS) offers psychotherapists and other interested professionals a chance to learn more about psychoanalysis in an informal setting. Typically, members of PALS groups meet monthly with two LAISPS analysts who facilitate discussions of theoretical and clinical topics from a psychoanalytic perspective. Members of PALS, through their formal affiliation with LAISPS, participate in special events and activities.

With the exception of PALS, LAISPS offers continuing education credits for the programs listed above.

One of LAISPS' distinguishing characteristics is its commitment to bringing psychoanalytic understanding to underserved groups within our community.

The Ernest S. Lawrence Trauma Center represents this commitment to community outreach. The Center's projects are run by volunteer licensed clinicians who provide free psychoanalytically-informed psychological services to "at-risk" populations as well as educational presentations to the community.

• Parents and Infants Developing Together offers psychological help to families impacted by multigenerational child abuse.
• The Soldiers' Project was formed in response to the need for psychological assistance to military service members involved in Iraq and Afghanistan. This program provides individual, couple and family counseling.