A pre-psychoanalytic training sequence

From its inception, IPTAR has been committed to training anyone interested in psychoanalysis. The Respecialization Program is a two-year program designed to give those who come from many other fields, including the humanities, social sciences, education, law, medicine and the arts an opportunity to begin their immersion in the world of psychoanalysis. 

In addition, there may be those individuals who are coming from a mental health background, but who have limited clinical experience or limited exposure to psychoanalytic thought. For these people, the Respecialization Program becomes an opportunity to consider in depth training in the field and begin gaining clinical experience.

The Respecialization Program follows the regular IPTAR course calendar for starting and ending dates and vacations. As in the full program some courses meet for eight week quarters, and some for sixteen-week halves of the year.

Candidates are evaluated by instructors in all courses. In addition, candidates are asked to evaluate their instructors in order to maintain a high level of instruction.

Unique in New York City, IPTAR’s “Clinical Practicum” is designed for recent mental health graduates and those entering psychoanalytic training from other fields. 

Closely integrated with coursework, the program offers candidates a strong foundation of supervised experience with a range of patients so as to position them to work with confidence by the time they are licensed to practice independently. Candidates with no previous clinical experience are required to participate in the Clinical Practicum under the guidance of the IPTAR Clinical Center. with supervision provided free of charge, for the full academic year.

In addition to the opportunity of becoming a member of a vibrant intellectual community, IPTAR offers a number of valuable resources to its candidates, including a comprehensive psychoanalytic library and access to PEP WEB; a vital candidates’ organization; and the IPTAR Clinical Center (ICC). Through the ICC, candidates may be referred to patients and begin to develop a private practice.

IPTAR is an interdisciplinary Institute offering training to all individuals who are interested in the field of Psychoanalysis. Individuals with backgrounds in the humanities, the social services and the arts must have at least a Master’s degree. The Admissions committee will consider those applications received by May 15th for the upcoming fall class (2021-2022). Upon receipt of all materials, the admissions committee contacts the applicant to arrange for two interviews. The applicant is notified about the committee’s decision after review of the applicant’s material is complete.