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Adult Psychoanalytic Program

This Adult Psychoanalytic post-grad training program is four years of classes and up to five years advanced status. The training of the analyst who conducts this treatment must also be intensive and thorough.

The Adult Psychoanalytic Training Program is dedicated to the exploration of the full spectrum of psychoanalytic development, theory and practice. Training is based upon the “tripartite model” which includes a personal analysis, four years of didactic seminars, and supervision of psychoanalytic work.  The Denver Institute for Psychoanalysis follows the A.A.P.E. Standards for Education and Training.

Psychoanalytic education is based on a tri-part model with three complimentary learning experiences:

  1. a personal analysis,
  2. theoretical and clinical seminars, and
  3. supervised psychoanalytic work.

This experience is broadened and conceptualized through seminars and supervised clinical work.

Students are encouraged to approach their studies with an attitude of critical thinking. Curriculum ranges from Freud to the most current evolution of contemporary psychoanalytic theory and technique and evidenced-based techniques and best practice.

The goal of the educational program is the development of those clinical skills necessary for analytic effectiveness. The program also seeks to promote psychoanalytic scholarship and research.

​A patient who chooses to pursue psychoanalysis is taking on an intensive exploration of personality traits, unconscious motivations and patterns of relating to others in an effort to master emotional problems and impediments to psychic growth.

​A patient who chooses to pursue psychoanalysis is taking on an intensive exploration of personality traits, unconscious motivations and patterns of relating to others in an effort to master emotional problems and impediments to psychic growth.

Eligibility

All applicants must hold a valid, active and unrestricted professional license in Colorado to practice in their respective discipline. Applicants who hold the following degrees and post-graduate clinical training are eligible for training:

A. Doctors of Medicine or of Osteopathic Medicine who have graduated from an accredited medical school or osteopathic school; and have completed or are near completion of a psychiatry residency program.

B. Mental health professionals who have completed a doctoral level degree from an accredited mental health program and a minimum of 3,000 hours or two years full time mental health clinical experience post-graduation.

C.  Mental health professionals who have graduated from an accredited master’s program which is generally recognized as the highest clinical degree in the field (currently a master’s degree in social work, psychiatric nursing, or marriage and family counseling), and have completed at least two additional post-master’s degree years of didactic and clinical training including 3,000 hours of clinical immersion, 60 post-masters hours of psychodynamic psychotherapy supervision and 60 post-masters hours of psycho-dynamically oriented coursework and clinical seminars, or a two year organized post-masters psychodynamic psychotherapy program including supervised clinical experience.

D.  Applicants who do not fully meet the above eligibility criteria may qualify through a waiver process that will require an additional waiver application and an external review from the American Association for Psychoanalytic Education.

Selection is based on an applicant’s eligibility, suitability, and readiness. All applicants for clinical training must (i) have a license recognized by the jurisdiction of their institute that permits the clinical practice of psychoanalysis; or (ii) be in training in a jurisdiction in which the clinical practice of psychoanalysis is exempt from or not regulated by licensure; or (iii) with respect to institutes that are authorized by their jurisdictions to offer training leading to the licensure of graduates in the clinical practice of psychoanalysis, be eligible within that jurisdiction to provide clinical services as part of their institute training.

Waivers may be needed for those that do not meet the specific qualifications. We encourage you to speak to the Admissions Chair and apply early as the process can take a while.

Course Work

The adult psychoanalysis training is a four-year curriculum offered from 12 noon to 5:10 p.m. on Fridays. The coursework is divided into four class periods: Development, Theory, Technique, and Case Conference. Over the four years, the candidate’s knowledge in each of these areas grows progressively richer, and the opportunities for discourse deepen.

The Development sequence provides the underpinnings for understanding all of the models presented in the Theory sequence and all of the psychoanalytic theories of therapeutic action. Candidates study the development of self in relation to the object from birth forward, continuing through the entire life cycle.

In the Theory track, psychoanalytic theory is viewed as being in a dynamic state with no single psychoanalytic “truth” prevailing. There are a number of constantly evolving models of the mind, each contributing a particular vision of the human being and the psychoanalytic situation.  The Theory sequence seeks to prepare candidates to be highly informed and critical participants in the exciting debate that is currently reshaping psychoanalytic thinking.

The Technique sequence focuses on how to integrate theoretical concepts and developmental principles into a mode of working therapeutically with the patient.

The candidate will learn how to facilitate the development and maintenance of a psychoanalytic process, which requires the development of various cognitive and empathic skills, along with an intuition as to the timing and dosage of interventions.

The Case Conference gives current and advanced candidates and their teachers an opportunity to explore material from analytic processes in depth and to further integrate all that has been learned in the other three tracks.

The patients give permission for the material to be shared only in this confidential setting, with the understanding that any material by which they could be identified is carefully disguised. Each person’s own clinical experience is greatly enriched by the opportunity to hear and discuss work presented by colleagues.

Supervision

The analysis of patients under supervision is an essential part of psychoanalytic education. The candidate will generally begin their first supervised analysis soon after seminars commence and will start a second supervised case within the next six months. Supervision begins at one hour per week for each case, and may become less frequent. The minimum frequency of patient sessions is four times per week, but one case in five times weekly analysis is suggested. Supervision during the termination phase is expected. The analysis of a minimum of three cases under supervision is required.  Candidates are expected to work with cases reflecting different genders as well as work with cases reflecting a diversity of identity characteristics including, sexual orientation, age, religion, race, ethnicity, culture, ability status and socioeconomic status.

Candidates must submit reports and hours on a regular basis. Supervisors evaluate the candidate’s progress annually and share their observations.

View Supervisors here (Supervising Analyst noted under the faculty member name)

Personal Analysis

Trainees in psychoanalytic training are required to be in analysis with a training analyst at a minimum of four, preferably five, times a week frequency, for a period of their training which substantially overlaps with the coursework and supervised cases.

The candidate’s personal analysis forms the core of the educational experience around which supervised analytic work is built. Conducted by faculty, the aim of this analysis is to resolve and master neurotic personality problems, free the candidate from unconscious attitudes that might interfere with psychoanalytic competence, and provide first-hand experience of unconscious forces and resistance.

View Training Analysts here (Training Analyst noted under the faculty member name)

Application

Applications can be downloaded. Prospective students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible since class size is limited. Applications are due on January 15th of the year class begins. Classes begin every two years, in even numbered years.

Click here for the application.

After the application is submitted and reference letters are received, three interviews will be scheduled. Interviewers consider clinical experience, motivation to work closely with patients, as well as personal qualities of the applicant. The Admissions Committee and interviewers will review the application, and the applicant will be contacted regarding acceptance by mail or phone.

The application process can begin at any time.

Fees

  • Application Fee $400.00
  • Yearly tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year (tuition may increase each year, usually about $100)
    • Adult Analytic: $4,900
    • Child & Adolescent only: $4,900
    • Combined Adult and Child & Adolescent: $6,000
    • Child & Adolescent only after completion of Adult at DIP:  40% of full tuition (example 40% of $4,900 = $1,960)
    • Pre-matriculated candidate (accepted but not in a class yet)  $500 per year
    • Advanced Candidate fee: $1,000 per year up to five years
  • Supervision Fee 
    • for candidates in the first four years of training $100/session  (starting 2023, and subject to change)
    • for advanced candidates the supervision fee may be negotiated directly with their supervisor
  • Leave of Absence $300 per year


Tuition is due annually before the start of class and is nonrefundable after September 1st.   Candidates may pay by check or credit card.

In many years, APsA has offered Interest-free loans to analytic candidates who are APsA Candidate Members and have completed at least one year of training. There is an application process. Loans are up to $5,000 and must be repaid within six years. Email notice about this is sent to candidates.

​​Graduation Requirements

The minimum requirements to graduate from the Denver Institute for Psychoanalysis program include:

  • Satisfactory completion of all curriculum requirements, including didactic course work, continuous case seminars, reports, and analytic colloquia.
  • Must have three supervised analytic cases. The candidate has analyzed patients of different genders. The cases should represent a range of psychopathology usually treated by psychoanalysis and cannot all fit one diagnostic category. The frequency of patient sessions will be no less than four times per week. At least one case has terminated or is proceeding toward what appears to be a satisfactory termination. If there has been no case terminated prior to graduation it is expected that the candidate continue consultation with their supervisor until the case the case is terminated.
  • The candidate has had a minimum of 200 total hours of supervision between three different supervisors.
  • All necessary case reports have been completed and approved by the supervisors.
  • The candidate has demonstrated the capacity to enable an analytic process to develop satisfactorily.
  • Candidates are obligated to tell their control cases of their completion of training from the Denver Institute for Psychoanalysis once they have been approved for graduation.
  • Had an analysis with a training analyst for a period of their training which substantially overlaps with the coursework and supervised cases.
  • All fees and tuition have been paid in full.


Statistics

Graduate Credentials 

  • MD  -  59
  • PhD  -  12
  • PsyD  -  9
  • LCSW  -  4
  • LPC  -  1
  • DO  -  1
  • PMH CNS - 1

Affiliations


AAPE standards for the education and training of psychoanalysts follow the requirements of the tripartite Eitingon model.

AAPE standards meet or exceed the requirements of the International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA).



APsA’s approved training institutes and new training facilities maintain the highest quality psychoanalytic education as currently outlined in APsA’s Standards and Principles for Psychoanalytic Education. Approved training institutes maintain and implement the applicable educational, administrative, and professional standards of this Association for the teaching of psychoanalysis and the training of psychoanalysts.

Clinical psychoanalytic training programs in Adult Psychoanalysis and/or Child and/or Child and Adolescent Psychoanalysis reflect the educational requirements, clinical training, and clinical experience necessary for an individual to become a competent psychoanalyst. In addition, many APsA institutes/centers offer clinical training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, as well as offer Academic and Research training programs.






The Department of Psychiatry is a diverse community of staff and faculty dedicated to brain health for all, for life.

With over 300 regular, affiliate, and volunteer clinical faculty, the department works to improve mental healthcare in our area. The department is dedicated to valuing all people and is committed to diversity and inclusion in its clinical, research, treatment, and educational activities.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

The Denver Institute for Psychoanalysis prohibits discrimination and harassment in any of its activities, including admissions, on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, disability, military or marital status, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression), age, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law.


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