What options are offered for formal training at SDPC?
SDPC offers the Psychoanalytic Studies Program, for which there are two training tracks: a 2-year program in psychodynamic psychotherapy and a 5-year program in psychoanalysis. Candidates in either track attend the first two years of coursework together.
What are the components of the 2-year psychotherapy track?
Two years of coursework, 50 hours of consultation with two different SDPC faculty members, and personal psychoanalysis or psychodynamic psychotherapy at least twice weekly with an SDPC faculty member.
What are the components of the 5-year psychoanalytic track?
Five years of coursework, three clinical cases in psychoanalysis supervised for at least 200 hours of supervision with three different SDPC Training Analysts, and engaging in psychoanalysis with an SDPC Training Analyst.
Who may apply?
Applications will be accepted from mental health clinicians licensed in California, including those holding D.M.H, L.C.S.W., L.M.F.T, L.P.C.C., M.D., N.P., Ph.D. or Psy.D. degrees. Applicants should have experience practicing psychotherapy.
Do you offer an academic track?
Yes, but only in the five-year psychoanalytic training track. Academic candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds, such as the humanities in academia, they may be researchers, or they may be medical professionals who do not treat mental disorders. The components of academic training include the standard curriculum and psychoanalysis with an SDPC Training Analyst, but not the supervised clinical experience.
Is it necessary for applicants to your training programs to have previous experience with psychoanalysis?
Some familiarity with psychoanalytic theory and experience with psychodynamic therapy or psychoanalysis is recommended but not required. Applicants should have experience treating patients in psychotherapy.
Is the Psychoanalytic Studies Program a distance learning program?
No, our training program is in-person and candidates must be able to attend weekly classes on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. during the academic year (September through May/June).
When will the next cohort begin and when will you begin accepting applications?
The next cohort of the Psychoanalytic Studies Program will begin in the Fall of 2027. The application process will open in mid- to late- 2026 and will be announced in the SDPC newsletter.
Do you accept international students into your training programs?
Yes we do. Please contact the Director of Admissions at admissions@sandiegopsychoanaytic.org to discuss specific considerations.
How do I apply for the Psychoanalytic Studies Program?
The first step in applying is to complete the online admissions application that will be made available later in 2026.
What does the application process look like?
For applicants to either track, there is an online application which takes about an hour to complete. We require three letters of recommendation to be sent to our Admissions Director. In addition, if applying to the 2-year psychotherapy track, you must submit a written case report. If applying to the 5-year psychoanalytic track, you must submit two case reports.
After all of your application materials have been submitted and letters of recommendation have been received, applicants will be contacted to schedule two interviews with SDPC analysts. One is a personal interview and the other is a clinical interview focused on your clinical work.
Where do I find information about the admissions process and important deadlines for applications?
This information varies by admissions cycle so please register for the SDPC newsletter and Admissions interest list to stay up to date on announcements. You may contact Kristin Whiteside, the Director of Admissions, directly at admissions@sandiegopsychoanalytic.org.