A candidate’s successful completion of the program is based on four areas of training: A. Curriculum, B. Clinical Work, C. Supervision and D. Personal Therapy.

A. Curriculum/Course Work
The curriculum is based on a broad psychoanalytic perspective, relating theory to practice.  The program begins by offering an introduction to all aspects of working psychodynamically with children using play therapy. A sequence of child development courses follows in the second year, from infancy through adolescence, with a focus on facilitating work with different age groups and their parents.  The third year focuses on advanced concepts in the assessment and treatment of children.  Intensive and focused 4-hour workshops supplement the curriculum, and these provide a more in-depth immersion into relevant issues.  

All NYIPT courses and workshops are required.  If there is excessive absence in a seminar or if a workshop is missed for any reason, it must be made up in order to get a satisfactory passing grade.  Courses are held on Tuesday evenings from September through June from 7:00 – 9:00 PM for a total of 10 months per year.  Occasional workshops are held on Sunday mornings and may vary in length from 2 – 4 hours each.  No classes or workshops are scheduled on national or major religious holidays. At the completion of each course and workshop all faculty will distribute Evaluation forms to be completed by candidates and collected by the class representative.   

Candidates earn a total of 84 credits per year (from two credit hours per week for 42 weeks, totaling 352 credits in three years).  Credit for courses taken in previous psychoanalytic training can be granted only if the candidate shows proof of successful completion of an equivalent course at another post-graduate institute.  

Candidates’ coursework is evaluated on a pass-fail basis. Criteria for passing are based on attendance, participation, and mastery of subject matter, as evaluated by individual seminar leaders.  If a candidate does not participate or has excessive absences according to criteria set by faculty, a candidate will first be made aware and then may be required to write a paper or do a project to demonstrate mastery of subject matter.  If a candidate does not successfully complete any course, the class may be repeated during a subsequent year, or the candidate must obtain permission in advance, to substitute completion of an equivalent course at another institute of equal status.  Money will not be refunded if a class is not completed.

See a sample list of courses

B. Clinical/Field Work

Candidates are required to see five child and adolescent-training cases per week with an additional session for alternating parent collaterals, totaling six patient hours per week. Candidates meet with the parents of children in treatment at least once per month.  Supervised/Clinical work is on-going from September through July. 

Candidates typically complete their clinical work at a licensed community outpatient mental health center.  If needed, NYIPT will assist candidates in locating a placement.  Alternatively, a candidate who is licensed may see patients in conjunction with his or her job, e.g. in a school or hospital.  Candidates already in private practice, who are licensed and carry malpractice insurance, may see patients in their offices.  

In summary, the number of “kept” clinical sessions required by the Program depends on the candidate’s year in the program, as follows:

• First year:             120 kept sessions    

• Second year:         180 Kept sessions    

• Third year:            200 kept sessions   

Candidates are required to submit a Cumulative Monthly Kept Sessions Form by the tenth day of the following month, together with the agreed-upon tuition payment.  If candidates fall short of reaching required hours, they are encouraged to take on additional cases at their clinic settings.  

Candidates are expected to dress and behave in a professional manner and to complete all professional responsibilities required of all therapists at their clinic placements. This includes treatment plans, progress notes, etc. Paperwork must be submitted in a timely manner, in accordance with the requirements of the clinic.  Records should not be removed from the agency or school.  

At all times patients’ privacy and confidentiality must be upheld, and all steps will be taken to disguise identifying information when a candidate presents a case in a seminar and in supervision.  Clinic or school liaisons will be asked to complete the NYIPT Candidate Clinic Performance Evaluation Form in the spring of each year to assist NYIPT in evaluating candidates’ progress.

C. Supervision
From the beginning of September to the end of July (totaling 11 months), candidates attend individual weekly supervision for their five identified child and adolescent-training cases and their parents. Candidates must attend 40 supervisory sessions per academic year.  Candidates are allowed four weeks vacation in the month of August.  

Candidates are expected to attend all scheduled supervisory sessions, even when a patient has not attended his or her session.  If a candidate is unable to make a session, Supervisors must be given as much lead time as possible.  Supervisors will make every effort to offer make-up sessions when given at least 24 hours notice of inability to attend.  While the cost of supervision is covered in tuition, supervisors may charge supervisees $30.00/session, to be paid directly to Supervisors, if appointments are cancelled for non-emergencies with less than 24 hours notice.  (See Guidelines on Supervision)  

First year candidates are assigned to supervisors by the Program’s Clinical Coordinator.  Candidates in their second and third year are given the opportunity to directly contact faculty members to arrange for supervision during the months of May and June for the following academic year.  Candidates are encouraged to have a supervisory experience with three different supervisors over the course of the three years in the Training Program.  Exceptions to this are made on an individual basis.  

During each of the three years, candidates are evaluated by their supervisors at the midyear point in an informal verbal meeting, to assess strengths and weaknesses, to discuss concerns, and to set goals for their continuing work in supervision. If significant problems are identified by candidate or supervisor, the program administration must be informed. At the end of the year (in July), supervisors submit a written evaluation for each supervisee on the Supervisor’s Evaluation of Candidate Form.  Candidates also complete evaluations of their experience in supervision on the Supervisor Evaluation by Candidate Form. If a candidate’s graduation is delayed for any reason, he/she may be required to continue supervision into a fourth year.  This is decided by the Evaluation Committee on a case-by-case basis.  If additional supervision is required, a nominal weekly fee is paid by the candidate directly to the supervisor.  Supervision would then continue until all NYIPT Program requirements are met and a certificate is awarded.

D. Personal Therapy
Candidates are required to complete at least 200 hours of individual personal therapy with an approved therapist.  The candidate’s therapist must have completed post-graduate training in a qualified analytic institute or its equivalent. Candidates are free to choose their own therapists, but in order to satisfy the program requirement, all therapists must be pre-approved by the NYIPT Executive Committee.  

Candidates are expected to begin their therapy as soon as possible upon beginning in the program.  Ongoing personal treatment must be in place by the end of January of the first year in order for the candidate to continue in good standing.  The Executive Committee and the candidate’s supervisor would be consulted to address extenuating circumstances.   

Candidates who have previously completed 200 hours of psychotherapy with an approved therapist, are required to have at least 50 additional hours of therapy during the course of the program.  This requirement ensures that all candidates have personal therapy to address countertransference issues that inevitably arise during work with the children in their clinical placements.  In addition, the Evaluation Committee reserves the right to ask a candidate to complete additional hours of personal therapy if the need arises.  

For therapists outside of the NYIPT community, potential candidates must submit a Psychotherapy Release Form so that NYIPT may contact that therapist to verify credentials using Candidate’s Psychotherapist Evaluation Form.  Each year both candidate and therapist complete the Annual Personal Therapy Update Form to verify the number of hours a candidate has been in treatment during the current year.   Under all circumstances, confidentiality between a candidate and his/her therapist is respected.