Personal Psychoanalysis

The personal psychoanalysis is an essential pillar of psychoanalytic training as it provides firsthand experience with the unconscious, transference, defensive processes, and working through. Immersion in personal psychoanalytic work frees the Candidate from unconscious states of mind which interfere with the conduction of psychoanalytic work.

• Analyst must be a Training Analyst at the Psychoanalytic Center of California
• Analysis must begin prior to entering seminars, and in some cases for months longer
• Analysis must be conducted at a frequency of four or five times per week
• Analysis must continue through a major part of the Candidate’s supervised clinical cases

Theoretical and Clinical Curriculum

PCC’S Core curriculum provides a thorough grounding in the foundations of psychoanalytic thought. Over the course of PCC’s four years of didactic course work, Candidates become well- versed in theory and technique, as well as in their clinical application.

PCC’s Theoretical and Clinical Curriculum includes but is not limited to:

• A year-long systematic study of the major writings of Sigmund Freud (1895-1939)
• A year-long course in the Tavistock model of Infant Observation
• A year-long study of the works of Melanie Klein (1921-1963) and contemporary Kleinians
• A year-long study of the works of Donald Winnicott
• An 18-week course on the key concepts and contributions of Wilfred Bion (1943-1980)
• A 24-week study of major issues in and application of Psychoanalytic Technique
• Studies in American Psychoanalysis, Trauma and Narcissism, Perversions, and Psychosis
• Two years of Clinical Case Conference with PCC Training Analysts

PCC’S Core curriculum for the adult program is structured as follows:

• Four years of classes on a trimester system
• Three twelve week trimesters per year
• Two Courses per trimester
• Classes meet on Wednesdays from 8 AM to 12 PM
• Each Candidate has an Advisor as mentor through the program

Supervised Psychoanalysis

Supervised psychoanalysis, in the form of three required Control Cases, gives Candidates experience conducting psychoanalysis under the supervision of three different Training and Supervising Analysts chosen from PCC Faculty. Varying supervisory points of view support the Candidates’ development of a personal analytic style.

Requirements for Graduation

Candidates are eligible for Graduation upon successful completion of all aspects of the Core Program. All requirements of training in the Core Program must be completed within 8 years of matriculation.

Successful completion of training requirements includes:

• Completion of all courses and case conferences
• Completion of three supervised Control Cases
• Completion of Oral Examination
• Maintaining post-seminar status after formal course-work is finished
• Completion of Final Paper

Oral Examination

The Candidate is required to make an oral presentation of clinical work, after the third year of training and before the Candidate starts a third control case.

The oral examination process consists of:

• A committee composed of three Senior or Training Analyst level faculty
• Presentation of a 4 or 5 time a week analytic case
• Demonstration of the Candidate’s ability to conduct an analysis

Final Paper

The final paper gives Candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of psychoanalytic theory and technique, or to show the application of this understanding to a topic of study. The final paper can be in one of two formats: a Case Study Approach or a Topical Approach with clinical application.

The final paper:

• Is evaluated by a committee of three PCC Faculty Members
• Demonstrates qualities inherent in a graduate psychoanalyst

Admission Requirements

Applications are accepted from all mental health professionals with a valid California license (L.C.S.W., M.D., M.F.T., Ph.D., Psy.D., R.N.), or have authorization to work under a person holding a valid California license or are working within or under the auspices of a state approved mental health facility.

Tuition

Financial Aid

Tuition Assistance for the Core program may be attained through several possible funding sources:

The PCC Candidate Loan Fund

This is a minimal, interest- free loan made by application to PCC’s Treasurer.

IPA Loan Program

More information about the IPA load program can be found at the International Psychoanalytical Association web site

Transfer of Credits

Upon admittance to the Institute, Candidates may petition to have previous education and training in psychoanalysis accepted for credit toward the programs offered at PCC. All such petitions are considered on a case-by-case basis:

• A maximum of 26 transfer credit units may be applied toward the Core Program
• Preference is given to work completed through an IPA-approved Training Program