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Supporting our members, offering outstanding psychoanalytic training to mental health professionals, and educating the general public about psychoanalysis since 1999. |
Fundamentals of Psychoanalysis
One way that Northwestern Psychoanalytic Society and Institute manifests the mission to “offer outstanding psychoanalytic training to mental health professionals” is by offering a Fundamentals of Psychoanalysis certificate course designed for clinicians who seek to deepen their understanding of the psychoanalytic knowledge base, enhance their knowledge and skills for clinical practice, and cultivate a network of like-minded colleagues. The program marries theory and practice in two (academic) year-long small group seminars, which accrue to a satisfying whole. Each year can be taken separately or sequentially.
Upon completion of the course, students will receive a certificate of attendance and 1.5 continuing education credits for each session attended. Perfect attendance for the 2025-26 academic year will result in 51 Continuing Education Hours (NASW).
Fundamentals of Psychoanalysis is:
Theoretical
In a nine-month program of weekly classes, we study major works by the foundational thinkers in the British object relations line. Year One is primarily Freud, while Year Two continues Freud’s ideas through the works of Klein, Winnicott, and Bion, considering links and divergences in this line of thought evolution. By completing the course, learners will have a sense of how psychoanalytic thinking has evolved, from Freud to the current day.
Clinical
Each monthly unit will be augmented by a clinical case presentation, demonstrating the application of theory in working with patients. In Fundamentals courses, learners will become increasingly adept at discovering unconscious processes in clinical work and developing strategies for intervention.
Fun
Following an innovative design, each monthly unit will be taught by a different instructor, each of whom is an experienced psychoanalytically oriented clinician. The group will stay together, and the faculty will rotate, which promotes the formation of a strong learning group.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Course Length: Weekly classes beginning Thursday, October 9, 2025, through June 25, 2026 (9 months)
Time: Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Tuition Payment schedule: Application fee: $100 (non-refundable)
Fall term $350, due September 27, 2025
Winter term $350, due January 1, 2026
Spring term $350, due April 1, 2026
*A $50 discount to be applied to Spring Term if the applicant is a NPSI Community Member*
Enrollment Deadline: TBD
Location: This course will be held via Zoom.
Instructors: NPSI analysts and Senior candidates.
Format: Each month, there will be one four-class unit. Each unit will consist of three classes to discuss and study assigned readings. The fourth will be reserved for clinical case discussions. Note: The November and December units are shorter due to holidays- there are three meetings for each month.
To see a sample syllabus for Year One, click here.
To see a sample syllabus for Year Two, click here.
For the online Fundamentals Application, click here
For more information or to register, please contact admin@npsi.us.com.
Fundamentals II Faculty and students, click here for 2025/26 course information.
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