Open Analytic Theory Classes 2026–2027
Each year, the Institute opens several classes in the Analytic Training program to non-candidates. Graduates of an advanced psychotherapy program (such as the Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy program affiliated with the Institute or comparable programs), individuals in psychiatric training programs, academics with a research interest in the area, along with Advanced Analytic Candidates and Faculty of the Institute may apply to take these Open Analytic Theory Classes.
Acceptance into Open Analytic Theory Classes is by application process only. Apply online at least 3 weeks in advance of the start date at: https://www.stlpi.org/open-classes/
For the 2026–2027 Academic Year, the Open Analytic Theory Classes include:
Freud (8 sessions)
Instructor: J. Todd Dean, MD
Dates: 9/11/2026–10/30/2026 Fridays 10:30–11:45 AM, Institute Classroom A
Course Fee: [Non-candidate (Early) $552, (Regular) $568]
In 2026–7, the Freud course will consist of eight sessions focusing on Freud’s early establishment of psychoanalysis as a theory and clinical approach to treatment. Starting with Breuer and Freud’s Studies in Hysteria, the class will look into Freud’s work on dreams, sexuality, “everyday life” and jokes, as an introduction to the foundations of Freud’s work.
Borderline (12 sessions)
Instructor: Stuart Ozar, MD
Dates: 11/6/2026–2/19/2027 Fridays 10:30–11:45 AM, Institute Classroom A
Course Fee: [Non-candidate (Early) $828, (Regular) $852]
The literature on “borderline” phenomena is broad and diverse. A full appreciation of the multiple contributions of analysts who have worked since the first third of the last century would require many sessions and years of clinical experience. My intention in designing this course is to promote the development of conceptual tools to be used to understand and help those patients who, either initially or after a period of analysis or psychodynamic therapy, find it difficult to make use of classical models of treatment. Efforts to treat such patients have stimulated the advancement of theory and child development observation. In this survey course I hope to provide a framework upon which one will be able to “hang” and organize the material that you will hopefully continuing to learn in more depth over the years to come. Additionally, this course will introduce the student to some of the influential clinicians who have contributed to this literature.
Hysteria (8 sessions)
Instructor: Nilufer Yalman, PhD
Dates: 9/11/2026–10/30/2026 Fridays 1:15–2:30 PM, Institute Classroom A
Course Fee: [Non-candidate (Early) $552, (Regular) $568]
Under the umbrella term hysteria this 8-week seminar is designed to familiarize candidates with neurotic psychopathology classically referred to as neuroses with an added emphasis on their more primitive side. Beginning with hysteria we will see how this more primitive side manifests symptomatically with transient psychoses, such as an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality.
Freud understood neurotics, hysterics, obsessionals, and phobics as those who risk experiencing unending symptomatic yearning for what was lost and thus suffering psychical conflicts and pain whose origins lie in the subject’s childhood history and unconscious fantasies. While traditionally neurotic psychopathology and their manifest symptoms are referred to as non-psychotic, and thus higher level in terms of development and defensive architecture, we will explore the idea that more primitive anxieties do exist in so-called neurotics and the neurotic symptoms are often sophisticated defenses which serve to manage these much deeper anxieties such as fragmentation.
Klein (8 sessions)
Instructor: Jules Owen, PhD
Dates: 11/6/2026–1/15/2027 Fridays 1:15–2:30 PM, Institute Classroom A
Course Fee: [Non-candidate (Early) $552, (Regular) $568]
This eight-week course introduces some of the central ideas of Melanie Klein, namely her paranoid-schizoid and depressive positions. Students will explore how these emerge in the transference and countertransference within the analytic setting. Drawing on papers by Klein herself, as well as Feldman, Steiner, Joseph, Brenman Pick, and others, we will examine themes such as splitting, projective identification, introjection, as well as guilt and reparation. The aim is to develop a clinically grounded understanding of how these dynamics shape the analytic process.
Comparative Methods (6 sessions)
Instructor: Phoebe Cirio, MSW, LCSW
Dates: 4/9/2027–5/21/2027 Fridays 10:30–11:45 AM, Institute Classroom A
Course Fee: [Non-candidate (Early) $414, (Regular) $426]
This course will begin with guidelines for doing psychoanalytic treatment suggested by David Tuckett. These guidelines are derived from data from the Working Groups research conducted through the International Psychoanalytical Association. We will explore and discuss the degree to which various psychoanalytic theories cleave to the Tuckett guidelines. We will explore the implications for clinical practice of our understanding.
Psychosis (5 sessions)
Instructor: J. Todd Dean, MD
Dates: TBD Fridays 1:15–2:30 PM, Institute Classroom B
Course Fee: [Non-candidate (Early) $345, (Regular) $355]
In this class, students will be exposed to different psychoanalytic perspectives on psychosis, which will include discussion of cultural perspectives on how a patient comes to be seen as psychotic, and how we might make use of that understanding in working with the patient. Students will be exposed to theories of psychosis from Freudian, Lacanian and object relational perspectives, and will have the opportunity to study the treatment process as described by clinicians.
Narcissism (11 sessions)
Instructor: Sundeep Jayaprabhu, MD
Dates: TBD Fridays 2:45–4:00 PM, Institute Classroom B
Course Fee: [Non-candidate (Early) $759, (Regular) $781]
Narcissism is part of the human condition and arguably some of the most important contributions to this concept have come from psychoanalytic theory. Narcissism is present from our earliest of experiences and cannot be separated from our work, play, love and solitude. Candidates will be able to appreciate various contributions to the theory of narcissism starting with Freud, progressing through the major historical psychoanalytic models (drive, ego, object-relations, self), continue to present day with relational/interpersonal perspectives and include existential/humanistic influences. This class is not just theoretical but also clinical and will include vignettes along the way to help ground these concepts. Class involvement is expected.
*Dates are subject to change.
Distance Learning is available for all courses.
Questions? Email us at recruitment@stlpi.org