Education at MIP

We believe that studying various psychoanalytic models and theories allows us to delve deeper into each model's underlying assumptions about the human condition. This exploration helps us better understand how a broader perspective on the human mind and condition relates to the practice of psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

The cornerstone of the four-year program at MIP is a one-year course that defines the essence of a comparative psychoanalytic education at our institution. This course starts with a thorough examination of Freud's assumptions and objectives, evolving into a program where diverse theoretical traditions such as object relations, self-psychology, and relational psychology compete to shape the understanding of psychoanalysis and its functioning. This is not merely a superficial survey; it's a profound exploration.

Through the study of multiple perspectives and open dialogue, we aim to explore the common human themes that underlie all psychoanalytic theories, such as loss, sexuality, mortality, love, hate, separateness-connection, and the enigmatic aspects of ourselves and others. We delve into the lifelong quest to organize, create meaning from, and transform our experiences while nurturing a sense of identity, authenticity, and vitality.

Theories often emphasize internal processes of the mind and heart or the impact of environmental-relational experiences, leaning towards one side or the other. Essentially, we view them as different ways of narrating human experience, often intricately intertwined and sometimes inseparable.

We teach the major psychoanalytic perspectives of the 21st century and examine them clinically, to continually define and redefine psychoanalysis as both a field and a practice—exploring its historical roots and future potential.

Furthermore, we study the individual's role within the social and cultural context. We explore a wide range of perspectives on the inherent tensions between individuals and society, as well as the role of the facilitating environment and various attachment-oriented and psychosocial theories in nurturing the individual.

We acknowledge the significance of race in America as a genuine moral concern shaped by historical bias and inequality, along with aspects of sexuality and gender. We strive to critically examine the underlying assumptions and potential clinical and cultural implications of the theories we study within their broader historical and socio-cultural context. There is no single perspective on the meanings and dynamics of race, gender, and sexuality in psychoanalysis. Instead, there are many viewpoints on our shared humanity and the reasons behind both change and resistance to change. All these perspectives contribute to our understanding of how we can practice comparative psychoanalysis in ways that enhance its effectiveness and integration into a more diverse society.