Neuroscience and Psychoanalytic Therapy

Neurons on the Couch

This two-year Washington Center for Psychoanalysis program consists of 31 weekly sessions per year. It is designed to connect contemporary theories of brain function and functional brain organization with psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

Courses are taught by specialists with theoretical and practical backgrounds in neuroscience and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Readings draw primarily from contemporary literature while incorporating historically important works.

Who the Program Is For

The program is intended primarily for experienced mental health practitioners with graduate-level training in social work, psychology, psychiatry, counseling, or psychiatric nursing. It aims to deepen participants’ understanding of neuroscience and demonstrate how that knowledge can enhance psychotherapy.

Non-clinical professionals may also apply when the training would enrich their scientific, teaching, scholarly, or related work. The program may be adapted to their needs, skills, and interests.

Eligibility

Applicants are assessed according to their prospective ability to master the program’s work. Primary consideration is given to practitioners with relevant graduate degrees, although qualified non-clinical applicants are welcomed.

Learning Objectives

1. Develop knowledge of current neuroscientific theories of brain function and their application to psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
2. Build expertise in applying neuroscientific and psychoanalytic theory to clinical practice.

Continuing Education

The program was planned through the joint sponsorship of the American Psychoanalytic Association and the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis. The source page states that the activity offered up to 50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits for physicians, with credit claimed according to participation.

The Washington Center for Psychoanalysis also offered up to 50 continuing-education credit hours for psychologists and designated the program for up to 50 social-work credit hours under the criteria cited by relevant Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, and clinical social-work examining bodies.

These accreditation and credit statements describe the historical program presented on the source page and should be independently confirmed before being relied upon.