Frequently Asked Questions

What Does The Training Entail?

Training a Columbia has three key components:

Personal Analysis

Each candidate must be in a 4x/week training analysis with a Training Analyst (TA). The analyst must be a TA at Columbia, New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, or the Psychoanalytic Association of New York. If the TA is from one of these other institutes, the Director of the Columbia Center must confirm that the analyst is in good standing at their home institute.

A candidate wishing to continue an established treatment with an analyst graduate of one of these institutes who is not yet a Training Analyst may apply for a waiver.

If you do not have an analyst, we will help you to find one.

Your analysis needs to begin by October of your first year of classes.

Control Cases

Every candidate will analyze at least three patients at a frequency of three to five times weekly and will have weekly supervision for each of the cases with a separate supervisor.

Course Work

Classes meet from 11am-3pm on Mondays and 1pm-3pm on Thursdays.

A candidate who is attending full-time will complete our coursework in 4½ years.

All of our candidates are busy professionals. We are happy to accommodate the schedules of our candidates who need to take fewer classes at a time or take leaves of absence.

Who Is Eligible To Apply?

Applicants for psychoanalytic training need to be fully licensed to practice medicine or psychology in the State of New York. They must also maintain their own malpractice insurance.

Applicants must have a terminal degree in their field. Physicians must be in or beyond their final year of psychiatric residency. Clinical psychologists with PhDs and PsyDs must be fully licensed for independent practice. Unfortunately, we cannot accept those with MSW, LCSW, or other degrees at this time. 

How Does The Application Process Work?

To apply, you will complete the application and solicit your recommendation letters. When all of your application has been received, you will then have three or more interviews.

You will first have an introductory interview with a member of the Admissions Committee. You will then have a clinical interview in which you will be asked to discuss one or two psychodynamic psychotherapy cases. Finally, you will meet with another member of the Admissions Committee to discuss yourself and your life more fully.

Applications for the academic year beginning in September must be received by May 1 prior. 

We strongly encourage interested applicants to submit their materials earlier than the May 1 deadline, and we welcome applications and inquiries at any point during the year.