grow personally and professionally
in a supportive, dynamic, and inclusive environment
icp educational programs
increasing knowledge, expanding self-awareness, and enhancing clinical proficiency through psychoanalytic education
ICP offers a variety of educational programs tailored to your specific needs and life circumstances. Expand your knowledge and understanding of contemporary psychoanalytic theory in a democratic and supportive community.
>> What is contemporary psychoanalysis? Click to learn more.
what sets our programs apart?
ICP is the leading Relational institute on the West Coast.
Our non-hierarchical, democratic approach to education focuses on creativity, freedom, individuality, and community. The enlightened programs we offer aim for personal and professional development as you experience ICP’s immersive curriculum. Exposure to different ways of thinking and a supportive environment help you integrate contemporary theory with your personality.
a deeply human, evolving experience
our programs:
experience community
ICP provides a democratic environment of free inquiry, a sense of community, a culture of diversity, inclusion, dignity, and respect.
expand your knowledge
ICP promotes innovative ideas, different perspectives, and progressive training in contemporary psychoanalysis.
evolve personally
ICP emphasizes personal development and using your self-discovery in the therapeutic process. Discover your own psychoanalytic voice.
find a program that suits you
Psychoanalytic Training Program
Study consists of four years of seminars, three supervised control cases, personal analysis, and a final report.
The Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis (ICP) provides an excellent and academically rigorous Psychoanalytic Training Program (PTP) that is anchored in the rich and diverse heritage of psychoanalytic theory.
A cornerstone of our 4 Year Program is the study of psychoanalysis in the context of adjacent fields like attachment research, trauma theory, neuroscience, infant research, consciousness, philosophy, literature and art.
ICP considers itself embedded in contexts of diversity, culture, and history. This informs our thinking and teaching. Our instructors are highly regarded in the field and often contribute to the literature.
Our Psychoanalytic Training Program is approved by:
- the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsA). APsA is also a component of the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA).
- the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) to operate as an Institution (Non-Accredited) for psychoanalytic education.
The Research Candidate
Applicants for the Research Candidate program are not mental health professionals nor have they have been educated in the field of mental health. Rather, they must have received a doctorate or, alternatively, the highest terminal degree in their field of study.
Potential candidates must have studied or have had a verifiable interest in psychoanalysis or psychoanalytic theory before seeking admission as a Research Candidate. For example, teaching psychoanalysis at a school, college or university, or publishing a psychoanalytically informed paper in an academic journal. ICP will consider candidates strategically placed to carry psychoanalytic influence into the environment in which they work.
Foundation Series
Seminars with focus on basic concepts and analytic theory and technique
The Foundation Series offers a series of seminars that focus on the basic concepts of analytic theory and technique, providing an overview of historical models and an introduction to contemporary analytic thought and practice. The course focuses on core psychoanalytic concepts and their basic application in clinical practice.
This course consists of monthly seminars held 10 times from fall through spring. It is taught by notable ICP faculty in a way that promotes active exploration of the application of psychoanalytic concepts in the clinical setting. The Foundation Series is open to both licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at all levels of experience.
Saturday Series
Seminars on the clinical application of psychoanalytic theory
The Saturday Series offers seminars on a wide variety of topics emerging from the field of contemporary psychoanalysis with a focus on theoretical discussions of the most up-to-date clinical issues in psychoanalysis and an emphasis on case material. Each year classes offer foundational themes reflective of contemporary psychoanalysis, including theory, technique, and special clinical treatment issues.
This course consists of monthly seminars held 7 times from fall through spring. It is taught by notable ICP faculty, supporting exposure to key psychoanalytic concepts and contemporary sensibilities. The Saturday Series is open to both licensed and pre-licensed health professionals at all levels of experience.
Decentralized Learning Experiences
Decentralized Learning Experiences is a new pilot program sponsored by ICP, offering informal learning experiences in a variety of formats.
ICP has always prided itself on being a participatory democracy offering a pluralistic psychoanalytic training program. In keeping with our ecumenical mission to expand the range of psychoanalysis and to open up learning and teaching to all, we have put together a radically democratic program: Decentralized Learning Experiences.
The premise behind this program is simply this: We have a large community of clinicians whose impressive range of skills and knowledge have gone largely untapped. This program offers anyone with skills or interests or ideas they would like to share an opportunity to offer a learning experience to the community.
what former students are saying
“I am grateful for ICP’s strong commitment to creating and maintaining a rich and generous learning environment for students and candidates, an environment which has provided me with invaluable opportunities for professional and personal growth. It has been my pleasure to continue these values by facilitating the ICP Saturday Series in San Diego.”
Mary Walters, LCSW, Psy.D.
“The richness of analytic training, warmth of ICP’s community, and the challenge for me to stretch and grow both professionally and personally were invaluable.”
