THIS ALL WAS GENERATED ENTIRELY BY AI (PERPLEXITY), AND I MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS AS TO ITS ACCURACY OR UTILITY. IT’S PRESENTED MOSTLY AS A DISCUSSION PIECE, AND AS AN INDICATION OF WHERE THIS PROJECT IS HEADED. ENJOY, BUT DON’T TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY YET. BUT DON’T THAT LACK OF SERIOUSNESS PREVENT YOU FROM MARVELING AND JUST HOW IMPRESSIVE THIS IS, REGARDLESS OF ITS SHORTCOMINGS.
AND, AN ADDITIONAL NOTE: I’M VERY FAMILIAR WITH CFS, SO I’VE ANNOTATED THIS ONE A BIT, JUST TO A) BE SURE IT’S NOT SPREADING BAD INFORMATION, AND B) INDICATE THE SHORTCOMINGS OF THIS ALL.
Contemporary Freudian Society (CFS)
Overview
The Contemporary Freudian Society (CFS) is a psychoanalytic institute and professional society that offers training in adult psychoanalysis, child psychoanalysis, and psychodynamic psychotherapy. CFS is a member organization of the International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) and is accredited by New York State.
Contact Information
Address: 1173A Second Avenue, #323, New York, NY 10065 [Note: CFS doesn’t have a “headquarters” – we have an office suite at 26 Court Street, in Brooklyn, where there is a conference room and a few offices in which clinicians practice. I think some former board member’s office was at this address on Second Ave.]
Phone: 212-752-7883
Website: www.contemporaryfreudiansociety.org
Email: contemporaryfreudiansociety@googlegroups.com
Admissions Contact: Katherine Snelson, LCSW | 212-260-4914 | Katherine.snelson@me.com [Note: This is out of date, as of June 25, 2025. The correct admissions contact – as of that date – and I don’t promise to update this page – is Judith Sorokin, js@sounder.com, (914) 232-3846]
Status and Accreditation
Current Status (2025): Active
License Eligible: Yes
Accreditation: New York State and the International Psychoanalytic Association [Note: the correct name of this entity is the International Psychoanalytical Association. This error may have originated on the CFS web site, or Perplexity may have made it on its own.]
Training Programs [Note: this section is out of date, incomplete, and somewhat misleading – I won’t correct it all here, but if you actually want to learn about our program go to the CFS web site.]
- Adult Psychoanalysis
- Four-year training program
- Comprehensive curriculum in contemporary Freudian theory and technique
- Supervised clinical work with psychoanalytic cases
- Child Psychoanalysis
- Specialized training in the psychoanalytic treatment of children
- Supervised clinical work with child patients
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
- Two-year program specifically designed to expand the clinician’s knowledge base
- Foster a comprehensive dynamic understanding of clinical issues
- Promote the capacity to provide more effective clinical service
- Fellowship in Psychoanalysis
- Mentored program for those interested in exploring psychoanalytic training
- Parent-Infant Observation Program
- Specialized training in observing parent-infant interactions through a psychoanalytic lens
Theoretical Orientation
CFS is grounded in contemporary Freudian theory, with significant attention to the unconscious, infantile sexuality, and understanding how these dynamics influence life choices. The training integrates contemporary theory with technique, spanning the life cycle from infancy through senescence. The curriculum includes study of normal and pathological development, beginning treatment, recognizing and working with transference and countertransference, understanding resistance, acting out, and enactment in psychotherapy.
Admissions Requirements
Minimum Degree: Masters Degree. If not in a mental health field, candidates can apply for the LP track.
Application Process:
- Submit application materials
- Interview with admissions committee
- Academic year starts in January
- Autumn courses available for prospective candidates
Special Features
- Member organization of the International Psychoanalytic Association [Note: see above re: the IPA]
- Offers visas to foreign students enabling them to study at CFS [Note: this is not currently true]
- Clinical opportunities leading to the LP license for those not from traditional mental health professions [Note: this is no longer exactly accurate; we now handle those without a traditional mental health background a bit differently.]
- Regular seminars and scientific meetings, some open to the community
- Vibrant, intellectually rich and supportive community
- Candidates encouraged to participate in committees that run the society and Institute
History
The Contemporary Freudian Society has a long history in New York psychoanalytic education. It is known for its commitment to Freudian theory while incorporating modern developments in psychoanalytic thinking. CFS values academic excellence and a collaborative learning environment.
Community and Culture
CFS is described as a warm and supportive community. Candidates are encouraged to participate in many of the committees that run the society and the Institute. The organization balances rigorous training with a collegial atmosphere.
Testimonials
“CFS provides a rigorous grounding in Freudian theory while encouraging exploration of how these ideas continue to evolve in contemporary clinical practice.” – Former candidate
“The community aspect of CFS training is invaluable – you’re not just learning theory, you’re joining a professional home.” – Recent graduate
Related Institutes
- New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute (NYPSI) – Another IPA institute with Freudian foundations
- Institute for Psychoanalytic Training & Research (IPTAR) – Another IPA member institute
- [Note: neither of these institutes is “related” to CFS, although IPTAR does have substantially overlapping membership with us.]
Last updated: June 25, 2025