Training in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (The CAP Program)

IPTAR’s innovative certificate program in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy offers a contemporary, psychoanalytic perspective on work with children, adolescents and their families. The program focuses on psychotherapy, play therapy and working with parents/caregivers while integrating advances in the fields of child development, neuropsychology, trauma, diversity and infant–parent research. The program consists of two years of coursework and a clinical component.

Our program is designed for licensed mental health professionals as well as candidates in adult psychoanalytic programs (working towards LP) who wish to gain a greater psychodynamic understanding of children and adolescents and deepen their own capacities to practice psychotherapy. The program is complementary to IPTAR’s Training Program in Adult Psychoanalysis. It is possible to enroll in both simultaneously. Candidates from other analytic institutes are also welcome to apply.

Upon completion of the program candidates will receive a certificate in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy.

Introduction to CAP

Child and Adolescent Program is now offering one year introductory program to child and adolescent psychotherapy. Program consists of four introductory courses offered weekly and it is open to clinicians and candidates in all stages of training. This is an opportunity to learn about working with children and/or about those aspects of childhood that can significantly inform your work with adults. 

If you choose to enroll into CAP certificate program the coursework taken in the introduction to CAP will count towards your credits.

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The CAP three-year curriculum integrates theoretical learning with clinical practice. Each 8-week course is held Monday evenings throughout the academic year.

For more information about the CAP program, please download the following CAP Manual

The program requires that a candidate complete two training cases under weekly individual supervision. One case must be seen at least once a week for 2 years, and a second case must be seen for a minimum of two times a week for 2 years.

Candidates have the opportunity to treat patients at the IPTAR Clinical Center or On-Site School Programs, or a variety of other settings, including their place of employment and their private practice. Through several different programs such as our On-Site-School Program and the IPTAR Clinical Center, we are devoted to providing pro-bono and low fee therapy to children from underprivileged backgrounds, as well as to the outreach to diverse communities that have historically been underexposed to the advantages of mental healthcare, especially for children and adolescents. Pro bono supervision is offered for these non-training ICC and On-Site School Program cases.

Upon completion of the training cases, a final report is written on one of the cases, followed by a final oral presentation to a committee. An important aspect of the training is the candidate’s personal therapy, which prepares them for clinical work.

The larger IPTAR community and other interested professionals are invited to these lectures: 

• “The Sunday Seminar Series”
  Presentations by leading clinicians, theorists and researchers in the field.
• “The Child Therapist at Work Series”
  A formal clinical case presentation by CAP candidates, graduates, and faculty.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded with a certificate at the IPTAR graduation ceremony. Graduates of CAP are eligible to become IPTAR Affiliate Members and part of the larger collegial community. IPTAR’s active community offers stimulating conferences, advanced courses and seminars, study groups, special events and a network of referrals.

Applicants should have a Masters or Doctoral degree in a mental health profession. Candidates are expected to be in or be prepared to begin or to have completed their own personal psychoanalysis or psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Two admissions interviews are required.

Please go to the bottom of this page to complete the application for The CAP Program.

IPTAR’s vibrant psychoanalytic community, reflected in our excellent Training Institute, offers exciting and rigorous programs in psychoanalytic training.

This information sheet will give you an overview of the CAP Program. We invite you to our Workshops at IPTAR series, followed by our Open House receptions.

Contact information for the people who will be present at the open house will be included on the last page of this brochure. You are welcome to reach out to them with any questions you may have before or after our open house.