Curriculum

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. The following are descriptions of these requirements:

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 are a mandatory part of the three-year curriculum. Courses are two hours and offered on a weekly basis for a total of 10 months per year, from September through June. Workshops may vary in length.

Candidates earn a total of 84 credits per year (totaling 352 credits in three years). Since all courses are required, credit for previous psychoanalytic training is granted only if the candidate shows proof of successful completion of an equivalent course at another institute of equal status.

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, a seminar leader may require a candidate 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 must be repeated during a subsequent year, or the candidate can supply proof of attendance of an equivalent course at another institute of equal status.

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. The aim is for therapists to meet with the parents of all children in treatment at least once per month. 

Candidates typically complete their required number of “kept” patient sessions at a licensed community outpatient mental health center, or if personally licensed and insured, candidates may see patients on their job, in a school or in private practice. NYIPT will assist candidates in locating a placement when needed. 

In summary, the number of 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 (Appendix 5) on a monthly basis 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 complete all professional responsibilities required of a therapist at their clinic placement. This includes treatment plans, progress notes, etc. at their placement. Records should not be removed from the agency

At all times patients’ privacy and confidentiality is upheld and steps are taken to disguise identifying information should a candidate present a case in a seminar.

The program offers four weeks vacation each year, and all national holidays are recognized.

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. This should total 33 months of supervision by the end of the program. Candidates are allowed 4 weeks vacation in an academic year. The cost of supervision is covered in the tuition. Candidates are expected to attend all sessions to discuss clinical issues. Supervisors make every effort to offer make-up sessions when given at-least 24 hours notice of cancellation, however, supervisors may charge supervisees $30.00/session, to be paid directly to supervisors, if appointments are cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.

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 month of May for the following academic year.  Candidates are expected to have an experience of supervision with 3 different supervisors over the course of the 3 years in the Training Program. Exceptions to this are made on an individual basis.

During each of the 3 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 any problems come to light by either party, administration is informed. At the end of the year (in July), supervisors submit a written evaluation for supervisees. Candidates also complete evaluations of their experience in supervision. If a candidate’s graduation is delayed for any reason, he/she may be required to continue supervision into afourth year. In this case, a weekly fee is paid by the candidate to the supervisor directly, to continue in supervision and/or attend an ongoing clinical seminar, 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 a therapist of their choice who has completed post-graduate training in a qualified analytic institute. Candidates are free to choose their own therapists, but all therapists must be screened and approved by a committee. Approval will be granted on an individual basis.

Candidates who have previously completed psychotherapy with an approved therapist are required to have at least 100 additional hours of therapy during the course of the program. This requirement is in place to ensure that all candidates are able to use their personal therapy for work on countertransference issues which may arise during work with the children in their clinic placements. In addition, the evaluation committee reserves the right to ask a candidate to complete additional hours of personal therapy if the need arises.

During the application process, potential candidates are responsible for completing the psychotherapy release form (inApplication) in which permission is granted to NYIPT to contact the applicant’s therapist for evaluation of the qualifications of the therapist. The therapist is then asked to complete the Candidate’s Psychotherapist Evaluation Form  (Appendix 2) stating background and training. Candidate and therapist each complete the Annual Personal Therapy Update Form  (Appendix 13) to verify the number of hours a candidate has been seen in treatment each year.

Under all circumstances, confidentiality between a candidate and his/her therapist is respect.