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General Questions About Psychoanalytic Training
What is psychoanalytic training?
Psychoanalytic training typically consists of three components:
- Didactic coursework in psychoanalytic theory and technique
- Supervised clinical work with patients seen in psychoanalysis
- Personal analysis (the candidate’s own psychoanalysis)
Most programs require 4-6 years to complete, though many candidates take longer. Training is usually part-time, allowing candidates to maintain their professional practices while training.
What’s the difference between psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy?
Psychoanalysis traditionally involves:
- Higher frequency sessions (3-5 times per week)
- Use of the couch (patient reclines)
- Greater emphasis on transference analysis
- Longer overall duration of treatment
- Focus on character change rather than symptom relief
Psychoanalytic psychotherapy typically involves:
- Lower frequency sessions (1-2 times per week)
- Face-to-face seating arrangement
- More active therapist stance
- May be more focused on specific problems or symptoms
- Often shorter duration
Many institutes offer training in both modalities.
Do I need to be a psychiatrist to train as a psychoanalyst?
No. While historically psychoanalytic training was restricted to physicians (particularly psychiatrists), today most institutes accept qualified candidates from diverse professional backgrounds, including:
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Mental health counselors
- Marriage and family therapists
- Other mental health professionals
Some institutes also accept candidates from non-mental health backgrounds who have at least a master’s degree.
What is the Licensed Psychoanalyst (LP) credential in New York?
In 2002, New York State established the Licensed Psychoanalyst (LP) credential, which allows qualified individuals to practice psychoanalysis independently. To qualify for the LP credential, candidates must:
- Complete a NY State-approved program in psychoanalysis
- Complete required supervised clinical hours
- Pass the state licensing exam
- Meet all other state requirements
Many institutes in NY offer “LP-qualifying” programs that meet state educational requirements for this license.
Questions About Choosing an Institute
How do I choose between so many institutes?
Consider these factors:
- Theoretical orientation that resonates with your clinical interests and worldview
- Training requirements that fit your educational background and career goals
- Schedule and location that work with your other commitments
- Cost and financial aid options
- Community and culture that feel like a good personal fit
Many candidates find it helpful to:
- Attend open houses at multiple institutes
- Take introductory courses before committing to full training
- Speak with current candidates and recent graduates
- Apply to fellowship programs that provide exposure to institute life
What theoretical orientations are available in NYC institutes?
NYC offers perhaps the widest range of theoretical orientations of any city in the world:
- Classical/Contemporary Freudian
- Ego Psychology
- Object Relations
- Self Psychology
- Interpersonal
- Relational
- Modern Psychoanalysis (Spotnitz)
- Jungian
- Lacanian
- Kleinian
- Winnicottian
- Integrative/Eclectic
Each institute tends to have a primary theoretical emphasis, though many embrace pluralism.
What’s the difference between APsaA, IPA, and ABAP accreditation?
Different accrediting bodies reflect different historical traditions in psychoanalysis:
American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) institutes:
- Historically more medically-oriented
- Often emphasize ego psychology and contemporary Freudian approaches
- Include NYPSI, Columbia, and IPE-NYU
International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) institutes:
- Connected to the international organization founded by Freud
- Include diverse theoretical orientations
- Include IPTAR, CFS, and others
American Board for Accreditation in Psychoanalysis (ABAP) institutes:
- More diverse in theoretical orientation and candidate backgrounds
- Include many LP-qualifying programs
- Include CMPS, Jung Institute, IEA, and others
Many institutes hold multiple accreditations. The significance of accreditation varies depending on your professional goals.
Are there part-time or remote training options?
Traditionally, psychoanalytic training has been an in-person endeavor. However, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, more flexible options have emerged:
- Some institutes now offer hybrid formats with some classes online
- A few (like WCSPP) offer primarily remote training
- Most continue to require in-person supervised clinical work and personal analysis
- Some institutes offer evening and weekend classes to accommodate working professionals
Questions About Requirements and Admissions
What educational background do I need?
Requirements vary by institute:
- Doctoral-level only: Some institutes (Columbia, NYU Postdoc) require doctoral degrees in psychology, medicine, or related fields
- Masters in mental health: Many institutes require a masters degree specifically in a mental health field
- Masters in any field: Several institutes accept candidates with masters degrees in any discipline
- LP path: Some institutes have specific tracks for those seeking NY State LP licensure
How competitive is admission?
Admission competitiveness varies widely:
- The most selective institutes (particularly university-affiliated ones) may accept less than 25% of applicants
- Many institutes accept most qualified candidates who demonstrate:
- Academic readiness for graduate-level work
- Emotional maturity and self-awareness
- Capacity for empathy and insight
- Commitment to the training process
Do I need prior clinical experience?
Most institutes prefer candidates with some clinical experience, but requirements vary:
- Some require several years of post-graduate clinical work
- Others accept candidates with minimal experience but potential
- LP-qualifying programs typically have structured clinical components for those without prior experience
What if I don’t have the required background?
If you don’t yet meet prerequisites:
- Consider a masters program in mental health counseling, psychology, or social work
- Explore institutes’ preparatory or bridge programs
- Look into fellowship programs that provide exposure to psychoanalytic thinking
- Take continuing education courses at institutes of interest
Questions About Training Logistics
How much does psychoanalytic training cost?
Psychoanalytic training represents a significant financial investment:
Tuition for classes:
- Typically $5,000-$15,000 annually
- Usually paid per trimester or semester
- May continue for 4-7+ years
Personal analysis:
- Usually 3-5 sessions weekly for several years
- Typically $150-$300 per session
- Often the largest expense of training
- Some institutes offer reduced-fee analysis for candidates
Supervision:
- Usually 1-2 sessions weekly
- Typically $100-$250 per session
- Required throughout clinical training
Total cost:
- Commonly exceeds $100,000 over the course of training
- Varies significantly based on institute, duration, and individual arrangements
Are scholarships or financial aid available?
Financial support options vary by institute:
- Some offer scholarships, particularly for candidates from underrepresented groups
- Many have emergency funds for candidates experiencing financial hardship
- Some offer work-study positions or teaching assistantships
- A few have arrangements with analysts who provide reduced-fee analysis for candidates
- Some have sliding scale supervision
Unlike traditional graduate programs, federal student loans are generally not available for psychoanalytic training.
How do I find analytic patients?
Developing a caseload of analytic patients is a key part of training. Sources include:
- Institute treatment centers (most institutes have affiliated centers that refer patients to candidates)
- Conversion of existing psychotherapy patients to more intensive treatment
- Referrals from supervisors and colleagues
- Private practice marketing specifically for analytic patients
Many candidates find that building an analytic practice is one of the most challenging aspects of training.
Can I complete training while maintaining a full-time job?
Yes, but it requires careful planning and significant sacrifice:
- Classes are usually held on evenings or weekends
- Personal analysis typically requires 3-5 hours weekly during business hours
- Supervision sessions must be scheduled around your and your supervisor’s availability
- Clinical work with analytic patients may require flexibility in your daytime schedule
Many candidates reduce their work hours or shift to more flexible arrangements during training.
Career Questions
What career opportunities exist after psychoanalytic training?
Psychoanalytic training prepares graduates for:
- Private practice specializing in intensive analytic work
- Teaching and supervision at psychoanalytic institutes
- Consulting to mental health agencies and organizations
- Writing and publishing in psychoanalytic journals
- Leading community-based psychoanalytic initiatives
- Integrating psychoanalytic understanding into existing professional roles
Is there still a demand for psychoanalysis in today’s mental health marketplace?
Despite common perceptions that psychoanalysis is declining:
- Many analysts maintain full practices with waiting lists
- There is growing interest in depth-oriented approaches among certain segments of therapy seekers
- Psychoanalytic understanding enriches many forms of clinical work beyond traditional analysis
The demand is strongest in major urban centers like New York, where there is a culture of psychoanalytic treatment.
How does psychoanalytic training complement other clinical credentials?
Psychoanalytic training can enhance the practice of:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Mental health counselors
- Marriage and family therapists
Many practitioners find that psychoanalytic training deepens their clinical skills regardless of their theoretical orientation or primary treatment modality.
Resources for Prospective Candidates
Where can I learn more about specific institutes?
- Visit institute websites (linked in our main directory)
- Attend open houses (most institutes hold them 1-3 times annually)
- Take introductory courses or workshops
- Attend scientific meetings open to the public
- Request to speak with recent graduates or current candidates
What introductory readings would help me explore psychoanalytic thinking?
Some accessible introductory texts include:
- “Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession” by Janet Malcolm
- “Freud and Beyond” by Stephen Mitchell and Margaret Black
- “Psychoanalytic Diagnosis” by Nancy McWilliams
- “Uncommon Wisdom” by Lew Aron
- “The Analytic Attitude” by Roy Schafer
Are there organizations for prospective candidates?
- Some institutes have pre-candidate study groups
- Many offer fellowship programs for those exploring training
- Several sponsor reading groups open to prospective candidates
- Some have mentorship programs connecting prospective candidates with current ones
Last updated: June 25, 2025