Mission

1) Establishment of a Psychoanalytic Training Institute
The Center’s training program continues to develop its innovative and unique approach to psychoanalytic teaching. Recognizing the caliber of training offered at the Center, universities have granted academic credit in their graduate programs for studies completed at the Center.

2) Development of Standards for Psychoanalytic Education
Under the guidance of Phyllis W. Meadow, the Center, in cooperation with other psychoanalytic training institutes, developed the Society of Modern Psychoanalysts. As a founding member institute, the Center has been active in establishing and clarifying standards of modern psychoanalytic education.

3) Promotion and Advancement of Psychoanalysis
The Center schedules lectures, seminars, conferences, and workshops in which distinguished practicing psychoanalysts have introduced the latest developments in psychoanalytic theory and technique to the professional community.

4) Maintenance of a Center for Psychoanalytic Research
From the Center’s inception, candidates and faculty have expressed a strong interest in pursuing psychoanalytically-oriented research projects. The research department has encouraged and assisted in the development of psychoanalytic papers ranging in focus from practical problems experienced in patient treatment to broad theoretical issues. As they investigate patient dynamics, students involve themselves in a process of exploration resulting in clinically derived knowledge and refinements in their understanding of psychoanalytic interaction.

5) Publication of Modern Psychoanalytic Writing and Research
Early in its history the Center developed a program to encourage psychoanalytic writing. This program has provided editorial assistance for faculty, graduates, and candidates in training in the preparation of their psychoanalytic papers for publication. The program led to the founding of the Center’s journal, Modern Psychoanalysis. The first issue appeared in 1976. Since that time the journal has been published semi-annually, and its list of subscribers continues to grow nationally and internationally. The program has also led to the publication by faculty, students, and graduates of a steady stream of books and articles that represent valuable contributions to the literature of psychoanalysis.

6) Development of Advanced Programs of Study in Psychoanalysis
The Center’s founders, faculty, and graduates have assisted in the development of a number of modern psychoanalytic training institutes. In keeping with the Center’s policy to help develop advanced programs of study in psychoanalysis, faculty members frequently accept invitations from other training facilities in the mental health field and related academic programs to provide consultation on curriculum development and institute teaching methods throughout the United States. Center graduates have been active faculty members in more than 15 psychoanalytic institutes.

7) Faculty Development
An ongoing faculty development program includes courses and seminars throughout the training year. Workshops and seminars are designed to encourage a sharing of emotional experiences to foster individual growth for psychoanalytic teaching and supervision.