Testimonials

Scott Boles, PhD, Private Practice: "My psychoanalytic education has proven to be a wellspring of knowledge that enriches all my clinical decisions. I feel fortunate to be part of the continuously evolving body of theory and practice known as the psychoanalytic tradition." See video

Calvin Colarusso, MD, Training and Supervising Psychoanalyst, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD School of Medicine: "I've spent my adult life trying to understand the human condition in all its complexity and to facilitate the process of self revelation and relief of suffering in my patients through psychoanalysis. In my opinion, it is the only therapeutic process--admittedly, long, arduous, difficult but amazingly rewarding--that allows an individual to understand their experience as a human being in depth. Psychoanalytic developmental theory facilitates the journey through life by providing a detailed roadmap for navigating life's joys and challenges in the most effective and joyous way possible."

Dan Gardner, MD, SDPC Executive Committee; Voluntary Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD School of Medicine; Private Practice: "Psychoanalytic training gave me a deeper understanding of human nature and greatly enhanced my effectiveness in all areas of my work - psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, medication management, consultation with treatment teams, and consultation with mental health professionals. I am grateful to my knowledgeable teachers and my motivated, competent colleagues for providing me with a unique professional growth experience that has profoundly enriched my career as a physician and therapist." See video. 

Lee Jaffe, PhD, Former SDPC Co-Director of Education, Training and Supervising Psychoanalyst, UCSD School of Medicine Assistant Clinical Professor: "Psychoanalysis changes peoples' minds, not only by relieving symptoms of emotional suffering, but also by promoting the capacity to live life to its fullest. SDPC strives to provide innovative training to mental health providers and to bring inspired education to the public, always emphasizing the uniqueness of every individual."

Felise Levine, PhD, Faculty, Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Program; Past President, San Diego Psychological Association: "Psychoanalytic training informs everything that I do-- the way I not only conduct my practice with individiduals and couples, but how I understand group and organizational functioning as well. Belonging to a learned community at SDPC continues to expand my understanding of self and others."

Nadine A. Levinson, DDS, SDPC Assistant Director of Education and Training; Training and Supervising Analyst and geographical Training Analyst at the New Center in Los Angeles; Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCI;  Managing Director of Psychoanalytic Electronic Publishing, Inc.; private practice in Laguna Niguel: "Psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic therapy, informed by the analytic method is key for the promotion of a healthy life lived to the fullest. My training at SDPC was an incredible experience that I have been able to use with my patients, my work, and my personal life."

Eli Miller, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD; Senior Faculty, SDPC: "Psychoanalytic study and clinical work, often unrecognized, is a steel thread in the fabric of a society which values the sanctity of individual meaning, deeper self understanding and the key value of empathy in interpersonal and international relationships."

Marti Peck, PhD, SDPC Senior Faculty Member, Adult Psychoanalysis Training Program; Co-Director, SDPC Referral Service; Assistant Clinical Professor, UCSD School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. Private Practice:  "The psychoanalytic method of investigating the mind, along with the form of treatment it offers, provides a unique and valuable contribution to the field of mental health. It helps ensure understanding of how the complex interaction of our thoughts, feelings and behaviors influence us - on levels we are both aware and unaware of - and the potential result is deep, abiding change and life transformation. Training in the psychoanalytic approach has enhanced my personal and professional development in continually evolving and gratifying ways, and the SDPC community provides numerous opportunities for  ongoing professional support, growth and learning."

Harry Polkinhorn, PhD, Chairman, SDPC Board of Directors, Psychotherapist: "My education in psychoanalytic process and theory has opened up the world of the unconscious, enabling me to develop my clinical work immeasurably. Having a community of committed and caring therapists and researchers dedicated to the generative traditions of psychoanalysis has made all the difference."

Timothy Rayner, MD, Co-Director of Education: "Working psychodynamically with patients to unravel and resolve the tangles that bind them in self-defeating patterns is the most meaningful and rewarding work that I can imagine myself doing. Psychoanalysis has given me a whole set of different lenses and vantage points to understand patients, and help them understand themselves. I am grateful to SDPC for a solid education during the 5 rigorous years of my analytic training, and the ongoing intellectual stimulation and collegiality that I have gotten in the 10 years since my graduation." (See video.)

Barbara Rosen, PhD, Former SDPC Training and Supervising Psychoanalyst; Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD School of Medicine: "The decision to enter psychoanalytic treatment and training was one of the best I ever made. Thirty years later, the multifaceted world of psychoanalysis remains exceptionally gratifying. I have received invaluable training in developing and maintaining a deepening therapeutic process with a diverse range of patients, enabling me to sustain an emotionally rewarding practice - even in the age of managed care. I continue to learn from my patients and colleagues, as well as through teaching, conferences, study groups and the enormous literature now available online through PEP Web."

Sheila A. Sharpe, PhD: Faculty, Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Program, Private Practice: “My training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy greatly deepened my understanding of people and has significantly contributed to my effectiveness in treating individuals, couples and families. Being a part of the dynamic psychoanalytic community continues to enhance my professional growth and enrich my life.”

Benoit Vincent, PhD, Graduate, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Program: "My background is in Mechanical Engineering, I make sport equipment products and I coach clients. I was afraid that I could not follow the PPP classes, and that I would not be admitted to the program. What happened is the opposite! I felt welcomed by each member I met both during classes and events organized by  SDPC. A few members worked with me to understand which program would fit me best."

"I joined a class composed of a handful of students coming from different mental health educational backgrounds. I enjoyed the weekly class conducted by many different analysts over the year where we discussed the few papers we read that week. I imagined that I would learn Freud. During my first year, I read about 100 papers, and less than 5 of them were by  Freud. I was wrong! I also met with a supervisor to discuss coaching sessions, and I continued my personal psychoanalysis."

"I am amazed by how much I learned in a year, theoretically but even more, experientially. Also, I feel that I learned so much about myself. I now listen to coaching clients in a novel way. I hear more of their implicit wishes and concerns mixed with their present narrative. The learning also helped me in work meetings."

"We are very fortunate that so many supportive, open-minded and dedicated psychoanalysts want to share their passion in an advanced training program located in San Diego, teaching the most recent analytic theories and techniques. Before learning about SDPC, I used to drive to Los Angeles, facing heavy traffic, to find this kind of training. I wish that many more people interested in powerful theories of the mind could participate in such a rich learning environment and contribute to the evolution of psychodynamic theory and practice."