Psychodynamic Psychologist Training Programs

Psychodynamic Psychologist Training Programs for those seeking a doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Psychodynamic psychologist training programs are a relative rarity. Yet, they do exist. Many consider earning a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. in a psychodynamic or psychoanalytic psychology training program. But, that is not the only path to obtaining training in psychoanalytic thinking. In fact, many psychodynamic psychologists pursue this sort of training after graduate school. Often, these clinicians value the breadth that a more broad-based view of clinical psychology provides. Later, having surveyed the theoretical landscape they pursue more specialized post-doctoral training. However, if you have come to this page, you may want to learn more about:

1. the orientation of each clinical psychology program. Specifically, you may be seeking a more integrative program. For instance, there are programs which offer training from an array of theoretical perspectives, including, a psychodynamic orientation.
2. alternatives to a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology. For example, you may be considering psychiatry, counseling psychology, social work, counseling or pastoral care or other mental health degrees.
3. how to get into graduate school in clinical psychology.

If these questions are on your mind, check out Michael Sayette’s and John Norcross’s book: Insider’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology: 2020/2021 Edition (Insider’s Guide To Graduate Programs In Clinical and Psychology)

Seeking something else?

If you are seeking psychoanalysis or psychodynamic psychotherapy; or, even psychoanalytic training. Here’s a list of psychoanalytic institutes in the US. The international psychoanalytical association accredits these institutes.

Looking for me?

If you’ve come to this site, looking for me. Here I am. I’m available for psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy, psychodynamic career assessment and clinical supervision and consultation. If you think that I can be helpful, feel free to reach out: 301.656.9650. I welcome your call.

Become a Psychodynamic Psychologist: A list of Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs ~ of the psychoanalytic persuasion.

Please note: programs change their theoretical orientation over time. Many psychodynamic psychologist training program become more integrative over time. Therefore, before applying to graduate school, you should verify that these programs continue to have a psychoanalytic focus. Also, if any faculty or students wish to update me as to changes, I welcome your input. Thank you.

District of Columbia (Washington DC)

1. George Washington University, Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology. I practice steps away from the Washington DC border. And I’m a Training and Supervising Analyst at the Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis. Many of the GWU Psy.D. students participate in our fellowship (which I led for many years). Also, several of them, ultimately, enter our psychoanalytic training program. Therefore, I’m quite familiar with their faculty and graduate students. In my opinion, they do a great job of training psychodynamic clinicians. In addition to offering fine training, Washington DC is home to a number of psychoanalytic institutes. Thus, opportunities for psychoanalytic exposure abound.

New England

1. Antioch University of New England, located in New Hampshire, offers a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology. Reputed to be psychoanalytically-friendly, it’s worth a look. In addition, as I sit here in Washington DC, sweltering in the 90 + degree weather (Yup, it’s COVID summer 2020), attending school in New Hampshire sounds pretty wonderful. For those not from the Eastern Seaboard New Hampshire is home to beautiful seashores and foliage. As for proximity to a psychoanalytic institute, it’s a little bit of a hall to the nearest one. But, it might be worth it for nature lovers.

The Mid-Atlantic List ~ (sort of)

1. Duquesne University. O.K. Pittburgh, I put you on the Mid-Atlantic list (and, added “sort of” as a qualifier) because having trained in the University of Pittsburgh‘s fine (but, not at all psychoanalytic) Clinical Psychology program, I find the ‘burgh to have more of an East Coast feel than a Mid-West one. 🙂  Historically, one of the few Existential Psychology programs, Duquesne enjoys a reputation as an excellent psychodynamic program. Moreover, Pittsburgh is home to an exceptional Psychoanalytic Institute. Also, there are several dynamically-oriented, clinical placements in the region.
2. Rutgers Graduate School of Applied Professional Psychology. Offering both a Ph.D. and a Psy.D. Rutgers offers a broad-based, integrative, program. My personal exposure to Rutgers is limited. However, one of my best supervisees, ever, trained there. On that basis, alone, I’d say that it’s worth a look. More importantly, Nancy McWilliams, Ph.D., who has written numerous, seminal textbooks on psychodynamic psychotherapy is on the adjunct faculty! Also, it’s in proximity not only of the New Jersey Psychoanalytic Institutes but of New York City. I don’t have the data to substantiate this contention – but, my bet is that it’s on par with the New York programs at a lower cost. Definitely worth a look.
3. Widener University. Located in Chester, PA, a suburb of Philly, Widener’s Psy.D. program offers an array of specializations. One of these Psychodynamic Psychology. Thus, Widener appears to be one of those programs that is friendly toward psychodynamic thinking but offers a broad-based exposures to other theoretical approaches, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), forensics, and neuropsychology.

New York

Home to a myriad of psychoanalytic institutes, New York is a hospitable place for Psychodynamic Psychologists.  Despite the expense of training in the city, it’s robust psychoanalytic presence makes it worth considering for anyone serious about becoming a Psychoanalytic Psychologist.

Reputedly, Uber-Psychoanalytic

1. Adelphi University. Ramping up to become a Psychodynamic Psychologist? This might be a good place to consider. Long renown for training future psychoanalysts, Adelphi’s clinical psychologists are well prepared to provide psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Plus, it’s in NYC, arguably, the home of American psychoanalysis. Like many NYC city schools, the price point is high and the possibilities for funding are modest. Still if you can afford it, it’s definitely worth considering.

Psychoanalytic but providing some exposure to other perspectives

1. City University of New York (CUNY). Similar to Adelphi, CUNY has an excellent reputation. Currently, the word of the street is that it’s a bit more broad-based, in terms of theoretical orientation, than Adelphi. However, these things are always changing. So, check this out prior to enrolling. It is a very fine psychodynamic psychologist training Program. So, if you are admitted and  you can afford. Seriously consider it.
2. Teacher’s College, Columbia University.  I’ve met a few Ph.D.’s from this program. However, I don’t know any of them well. I will say this, Columbia University has its’ own psychoanalytic institute within the university. I do not know whether, and how, they involve their doctoral students in this program. But, it sounds promising and it’s in New York. If anyone has the skinny on this, feel free to reach out to me and fill me in. Thank you.
3. Yeshiva University. Home to both a Psy.D. and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology. Yeshiva is certainly worth considering. Like the other universities on this list, it has ample possibilities for psychodynamic exposures. My knowledge of Yeshiva is quite limited. However, I have the impression that the training is a bit more eclectic than elsewhere. Like the New School it could be the right place for someone interesting exploring psychoanalytic ideas while learning about other psychotherapy approaches as well.

Psychodynamic but also integrative providing exposure to an array of theoretical perspectives

1. Long Island University. I have a bit of exposure to this program. That is, one of my all-star students from Carnegie Mellon trained there and continues to remain connected. She was excellent when she went and excellent when she left. However, her training truly was more integrative. In fact, she came out working in the CBT space. But, from her experience there, she derived a healthy respect for psychodynamic therapy and psychoanalysis. In comparison to other places, in the city, she obtained more financial support than I’d anticipated. Still, she’s so exceptional that she may have gotten aid anywhere. Incidentally, she chose LIU because of their friendly, welcoming atmosphere. That said, if you aren’t sure, yet, whether psychodynamic thinking is for you, this could be a good place to get excellent training and some psychodynamic exposure. Of course, I wouldn’t want to extrapolate from an “N” of one.
2. New School for Social Research. I’d hardly call myself an expert on the New School. But, I will say this, I’ve never met a graduate of their Ph.D. program who wasn’t very bright and capable. I’ve had the opportunity to supervise one – and, to teach another. Both are clinicians who I respect. My impression has been that their training is a little broader than some other psychoanalytic places.

The South

1. Emory University. This program is known to be welcoming and friendly towards who are interested in psychoanalysis. In addition, Atlanta hosts a psychoanalytic institute.
2. University of Tennessee, Knoxville. During my research for this list, I was pleased to see that University of Tennessee, Knoxville is home to a psychodynamically-welcoming program. Unfortunately, Tennessee does not (yet) have a psychoanalytic institute. In fact, folks from Tennessee wishing to train as psychoanalysts make the long haul to Saint Louis. But, who knows, maybe some of their trainees will change that.
3. University of Texas – Austin. Graduates of this program characterize it as welcoming of those of the psychodynamic persuasion. However, this may have changed. That is, it looks as though many programs its’ focus may have become more research focused, over-time. So, check it out, before committing. Also, it looks as though Houston’s Psychoanalytic Institute has a satellite in Austin!! Definitely worth a look!
4. University of Texas – Denton. UT-Denton has a reputation for being psychoanalytically friendly. As importantly, it’s less than an hour from the Dallas Psychoanalytic Institute.

The Mid-West

1. Eastern Michigan University. Not only is it welcoming to those with psychodynamic interests, it’s not far from the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute. Definitely worth checking out. As you can see, I’m a little thin on my knowledge of psychoanalysis in the Mid-West. So, if you can provide me with additional intel, feel free to reach out to me.
2. University of Detroit Mercy. This is program is near the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute. Thus, training opportunities within and outside of the university abound.

The West Coast

The West Coast hosts a number of non-university-based, psychodynamic programs. However, apparently, no university-based, programs identify with a psychodynamic orientation. However, I may be missing something. If I am, feel free to let me know.

Have I left your university off of this list, please give me a shout.

Have I missed an APA accredited, university-based, clinical psychology program with a psychodynamic or psychoanalytic orientation? If so, please let me know. I’d love to add you to the list. Thank you.

Seeking psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, supervision or consultation with me?

I am a board certified, Training and Supervising Analyst and a Clinical Psychologist who practices in Washington DC (actually, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, just 2 blocks from the DC border). I welcome your call: 301.656.9650.