What is Child and Adolescent Psychoanalysis?

The psychoanalytic treatment of children and adolescents utilizes the same general and clinical theory as that of adults. When normal development is impaired or distorted by conflict, trauma or developmental impasse, the aim of treatment is the resolution of such impediments, as well as the increased awareness in the child of the meaning of the unconscious processes. As a result of psychoanalytic treatment the child’s strength increases, psychological structures are altered, adaptive capacities are restored and normal development resumes.

The child analytic technique can be adapted to the different developmental stages of the child and the adolescent. Unlike the analysis of adults the therapeutic alliance in child analysis is established with both the child and the parents. The child analyst helps to integrate the child’s play and verbalization in order to understand the child’s perception and experience of his or her internal and external world. The child analyst also learns to understand how the child experiences the analyst as well as to appreciate the parent’s experiences and motivations with their child.

For additional information about child analysis, visit the Association for Child Psychoanalysis.

The Educational Program

Child and Adolescent Analytic training at the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute has two tracks, accelerated and traditional. Classes meet on Fridays from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm from September through May at the Institute.

A) The Accelerated Training in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalysis is a program of the American Psychoanalytic Association to train child and adolescent analysts without the requirement of previous training in adult analysis. The St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute is proud to be one of the four Institutes of the American Psychoanalytic Association that have been chosen to participate. In this four-year program, child candidates will analyze three children and one adult under supervision. They will graduate as child analysts only.

B) The Traditional Training in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalysis is a two-year program designed for those who have already completed adult analytic training. Building on the core curriculum this program teaches the theory and technique of child analysis and requires the analysis of three children under supervision. Candidates graduate as both child and adult analysts.

Eligibility

The following professionals will be eligible to apply for Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic training in either of the two training tracks:

A) Physicians who are graduates of accredited medical schools; (or who have equivalent training in a foreign medical school); and are in or have completed a psychiatric, child psychiatric or pediatric residency.

B) Clinical psychologists and social workers with a doctoral level clinical degree (e.g. PhD, PsyD, DSW)

C) Social workers who hold an MSW and have completed a two year post-graduate psychotherapy program such as the Institute’s Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (CAPP), the Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program (APP) or the Child and Adolescent/Adult Psychotherapy Program).

D) Other mental health professionals who have experience and training in child and adolescent psychotherapy may be eligible through a waiver process of the American Psychoanalytic Association.

E) Academics engaged in teaching or research who could benefit from the application of clinical psychoanalytic knowledge or whose expertise could contribute to psychoanalysis.

F) Academics may also apply for non-clinical training for research purposes.

G) A candidate in good standing from another Institute accredited by the American Psychoanalytic Association may apply for transfer.

How to Apply:

Use the application icon above, fill out, and hit SUBMIT, or print and mail to

Randi Sarsfield, Registrar/Programs Manager
St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute
7700 Clayton Rd Ste 200

Following submission of an application, there will be three personal/clinical interviews with faculty members. Applications are accepted and processed throughout the year.

Application Fee $300

Tuition:

REFUND SCHEDULE