NPSI Fundamentals of Psychoanalysis 

October 2019-June 2020

One way that Northwestern Psychoanalytic Society and Institute manifests the mission to “offer outstanding psychoanalytic training to mental health professionals” is by offering a Fundamentals of Psychoanalysis certificate course, designed for clinicians who seek to deepen their understanding of the psychoanalytic knowledge base, enhance their knowledge and skills for clinical practice, and cultivate a network of like-minded colleagues. The program marries theory and practice in two (academic) year-long small group seminars, which accrue to a satisfying whole. Each year can be taken separately or sequentially. 

At the completion of the course, students will receive a certificate of attendance and 1.5 continuing education credits for each session attended. Perfect attendance for each academic year will result in 51 Continuing Education hours.

Fundamentals is:

Theoretical

In a nine month program of weekly classes, we study major works by the foundational thinkers in the British object relations line. Year One is primarily Freud; while Year Two continues Freud’s ideas through works of Klein, Winnicott, and Bion; considering links and divergences in the evolution of this line of thought. By the completion of the course, learners will have a sense of how psychoanalytic thinking has evolved, from Freud to the current day.

Clinical

Each monthly unit will be augmented by a clinical case presentation, demonstrating the application of theory in work with patients. In Fundamentals courses, learners will become increasingly adept at discovering unconscious process in clinical work, and developing strategies for intervention.

Fun

Following an innovative design, each monthly unit will be taught by a different instructor, each of whom is an experienced psychoanalytically oriented clinician. The group will stay together, and the faculty will rotate, which promotes the formation of a strong learning group.