Distance Learning

Distance Learning Program

The Distance Learning Program leads to a “Certificate in Psychoanalysis” and is based upon a tripartite model of didactic coursework, three supervised analyses, and a personal analysis. In addition to learning with other candidates via internet technology, candidates will travel to the Bay Area several weekends each year to participate in course work, group process and engagement with the Bay Area PINC community. Graduation from PINC automatically confers IPA membership.

Educational Philosophy

Psychoanalytic training is not only a way to gain knowledge, it is a landmark in one’s professional identity development. Our training program is designed to consistently support this process. Our curriculum contains multiple psychoanalytic perspectives, and candidates are given latitude in their choice of control cases, supervision and personal analyst.

Our comparative curriculum teaches the theory and technique of Classical Freud and Klein, Ego Psychology, Object Relations, British Independents, Winnicott and Bion, Intersubjectivity, Self Psychology and Contemporary American Relational perspectives. We integrate socio-cultural perspectives. This comparative educational model emphasizes depth and breadth of knowledge in psychoanalysis, assuring high quality psychoanalytic education with fluency in a variety of psychoanalytic perspectives. We draw upon local, national and international faculty as needed for expertise in all points of view.

Each candidate is assigned to an advisor, who helps the candidate establish his/her own professional identity as a psychoanalyst. We view collaboration among all segments of the Institute (candidates, supervisors, faculty and administration) to be the most fruitful model for the pursuit of learning and for governance of the institute. We have faculty and candidate representation on all committees and on our board.

Training Program

The certificate program consists of a four-year curriculum of coursework and case conferences, three supervised analyses, and a personal analysis. Training will require both participation in learning via internet technology, and traveling to the Bay Area for several weekends each year for didactic instruction, group process, and active engagement with the larger community.

I. COURSE WORK

The curriculum is at the heart of PINC’s project of providing a rigorous and progressive psychoanalytic education.

Course work includes:

  • Freud
  • Infancy and Psychoanalytic Developmental Thinking
  • Klein/Bion/Contemporary Kleinians
  • Winnicott/Independent Tradition/Lacan
  • Intersubjectivities I & II: Self Psychology, Interpersonal Theory, Relational Theory
  • Psychic Organizations: Psychosis, Narcissism/Perversions, Neurosis, Pre-Oedipal and Oedipal critique, The Body in Psychoanalysis
  • Psyche and Society: Psyche and Society, Gender and Sexualities
  • Clinical Process: Beginning, Middle Phase, Termination, Dreams, Case Formulation
  • Group Process
  • Case Conference
  • Experiential Cluster: Analytic Identity, Psychoanalytic Writing, Integrative Seminar I & II
  • Psychoanalytic Ethics I: Boundary Violations
  • Psychoanalytic Ethics II: Analytic Integrity and the Analyst’s Vulnerability
  • Electives
  • Visiting Scholars Program

II. SUPERVISED ANALYSES

Clinical psychoanalysis can only be learned by practice under careful evaluative supervision. At PINC, any patient able to benefit from psychoanalysis is acceptable as a training case. The minimum requirement for graduation is three supervised analyses. Two cases must be conducted four sessions per week on the couch. The third case may be seen face-to-face, three times per week, with supervisory approval. Candidates in the Distance Learning Program will receive supervision from approved supervisors via telephone and/or in person.

III. PERSONAL ANALYSIS

Candidates are expected to engage in a personal psychoanalysis concurrent with their training. Candidates may choose their analyst, subject to approval by PINC’s Credentials Committee. It is expected that the analysis will be thorough, including a termination process. A minimum of 450 hours of four times per week personal analysis is required for graduation. We believe that confidentiality is essential to the conduct of analysis. Consequently, the analyst will verify only that the candidate is in analysis and when the hours requirement has been fulfilled.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

While applications are accepted year round, in order to begin classes in September, applicants should submit a completed application by April 1st. Later applications will be considered on a “space available” basis. If more qualified candidates are accepted than can be accommodated in a given year, they will be admitted for the first available opening. Qualifications will be considered without regard for race, sex, age, marital status or sexual orientation.

The online application form is found at https://pincsf.org/admissions.