Training Programs

The Institute provides in-depth instruction in the theory and methods of psychoanalysis along with training and experience in research, practice and technique. Focus is on a spirit of scientific inquiry and the humanistic concerns advocated by the original founders of psychoanalysis. Rather than influencing our Candidates to adopt a specific theoretical viewpoint, we respect their autonomy by providing in-depth exposure to the broad range of psychoanalytic knowledge, including classical psychoanalysis, ego psychology, object relations, self psychology, intersubjectivity and relational perspectives. Our Candidates are intensively educated in each theoretical perspective and its clinical application, but are encouraged to establish their own psychoanalytic identities. This training leads to a Certificate and Psy.D. degree in psychoanalysis.

Integration of psychoanalytic theory and technique is fundamental to our program. The training is designed to produce well-rounded psychoanalysts who are capable of practicing, teaching, and applying their psychoanalytic knowledge and skills to the broad spectrum of human knowledge and endeavor.

LAISPS is open to the theoretical, clinical and research contributions of all mental health and allied disciplines and seeks to provide education for licensed professionals of varied backgrounds.

We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, sexual orientation, color, national, ethnic origin or religion in our administrative or educational policies, or in any other Institute related program.

• Educational Objectives
• Admissions Policies and Requirements
• Areas of Preparation

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Educational Objectives

These include:

1. Knowledge and understanding of classical psychoanalysis, ego psychology, Kleinian theory, object relations, self psychology, intersubjectivity, relational theory, and their contemporary developments.
2. Mastery of psychoanalytic technique and its theoretical underpinning.
3. An appreciation of the scientific and humanistic foundations of psychoanalysis.
4. An ability to apply psychoanalytic theory to non-clinical areas.
5. A creative internal dialogue with new developments in psychoanalytic theory and practice
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6. An independent psychoanalytic identity.
7. Certification and a degree (Psy.D.) in Psychoanalysis

Admissions Policies and Requirements

Mental health professionals, eligible for licensure, possessing a graduate degree in any of the various disciplines (psychology, medicine, social work, nursing, marriage and family therapy) may apply for admission. In addition, qualified persons who are not mental health professionals may apply for Research Psychoanalyst training to enable them to apply psychoanalytic concepts to their chosen fields of expertise. The Institute is primarily concerned with assessing the applicant's suitability for training and subsequent research and practice in psychoanalysis. The main criteria for selection are: the intellectual and emotional capacity to undertake a rigorous program, including the capacity for sustained commitment to an educational goal; a demonstrable broad and empathic interest in the complexities of human nature; the capacity for introspection; emotional maturity reflected in personal and professional relationships and activities; empathic understanding of others who might be different from oneself; flexibility and openness to new ideas; and rich and varied life experiences, including the capacity for lasting relationships.

Requirements:

1. A completed application with fee.
2. A completed program of graduate work in a field of study and from an institution acceptable to the Education Committee. Transcripts of graduate work and undergraduate work and letters of reference must be submitted as early as possible.
3. A complete autobiography.
4. Following receipt of the above materials, interviews are arranged with the Admissions Committee. The purpose of these interviews is to evaluate the applicant's suitability for psychoanalytic training.
5. Admitted candidates should be prepared to begin their personal analysis six months prior to beginning courses.
6. Applications will be accepted thoughout the year but should be submitted by the first of Mayfor the following fall.
7. Petitions for waiver of any of the requirements must be made to the Education Committee upon application.
8. For admission to Advanced Candidacy, credit for prior experience will be evaluated for equivalency on an individual basis. Areas of consideration include personal analysis, prior course work, scientific contributions and supervised experience.
9. Applicants for Research Psychoanalyst training must have a Ph.D. from an accredited college or university and must be prepared to obtain practicum experience acceptable to the Institute and to the State of California, prior to beginning control cases.

Areas of Preparation

LAISPS utilizes the traditional tripartite model of training. This includes: (1) a personal analysis, (2) three supervised analyses, (3) course work, and (4) a doctoral dissertation and additional coursework for Ph.D. Candidates.

Personal Analysis

Personal analysis is required of all Candidates and is considered invaluable for psychoanalytic training. As important as a personal analysis is for the resolution of personal conflicts and the understanding of one's character organization, it is critical for the training and clinical understanding of the practicing psychoanalyst. Candidates must choose their analysts from the Training Analysts of the Institute. A minimum of four weekly is required. Fees are established privately between analyst and analysand. Candidates are encouraged to begin their analyses prior to admission to training.

Supervised Analyses

Supervised psychoanalysis provides the opportunity for Candidates to conduct psychoanalytic treatment under the supervision of our Training Analysts Candidates choose their own supervisors and are encouraged to begin their first analytic case immediately after starting the program.. Advancement to the second and third analytic cases requires the written recommendation of the current and previous supervisors (after no less than six months' work). Written case reports are required at six months and one year intervals.

We require a minimum of three supervised cases, treated at least four sessions per week. It is recommended that one of these cases be completed or considered likely to be terminated successfully. Our Candidates are supervised for at least 200 hours, and none of the three cases may have fewer than 50 supervisory hours. The supervision on two of the three cases must be for two years. In the first year, the frequency must be weekly, and in the second year, jointly determined by Supervisor and Candidate.

Course Work

LAISPS' curriculum consists of four years of courses covering the theory and technique of psychoanalysis. This includes a year long infant observation course and the study of psychopathology and normal personality development. Our readings include the body of Freud's classical work and the subsequent literature that has evolved, including the writings of Melanie Klein and her followers, the original independent British Object Relations school and related contributors, and contemporary developments from ego psychology, self psychology, intersubjectivity and relational perspectives. Strong emphasis is placed on how theory influences technique.

We require our Candidates to take all courses in sequence. The Education Committee reserves the option to cancel any course or to make any other changes in the curriculum.

To round out our educational offerings, in the fourth year, Candidates have the opportunity to design elective courses of their choosing.

Certification

Certification in Psychoanalysis is the culmination of our tripartite model of psychoanalytic training. A final requirement is the acceptance of a written case study, research project, or scientific paper which meets the standards of the Education Committee.

After the successful fulfillment of these requirements, our Candidates are successfully meeting all the requirements of the Institute, are awarded a Certificate of Training in Psychoanalysis and are eligible for Membership in the our Society, in the Confederation of Independent Psychoanalytic Societies of the U.S. (CIPS) and in the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA).