Formal Training
At the heart of MIP are four innovative training programs in comparative psychoanalysis: two Post-Graduate Fellowship Programs (Boston-based and Western MA), the Training Program in Psychoanalysis, and the Advanced Candidate Training Program in Psychoanalysis. The Fellowship programs are offered to psychotherapists who wish to deepen their understanding and clinical expertise in psychodynamic principles. These programs are also excellent preparation for those therapists who wish to become candidates in the formal training program for certification as analysts. For further information on any of these formal training programs, please see the “Training and Education” section of the website, or CLICK HERE.
Programs and Courses for MIP Members
Beyond a commitment to fellow and candidate training, the Institute is highly mindful of the ongoing needs for revitalization and stimulation among its membership at large. To that end, MIP offers each year a full buffet of courses and programs to suit any taste from formal to informal and from classical to very contemporary. Whether you are a member contemplating becoming a candidate or a long-time member, faculty, or a therapist in need of emotional growth, there are numerous venues for deepening your connection to others in the community and to psychoanalysis.
Annual Open House
For prospective candidates or members, there is an annual Open House you may attend to hear about the training programs from current candidates and faculty. Ordinarily the Open House is held mid-week in February at the Harvard Faculty Club where all questions about becoming/being an analyst or a psychoanalytic psychotherapist are welcome. CLICK HERE to see this year’s Open House information.
Symposium
Every two years a full day Symposium is held on a cutting edge topic for the Institute as a whole as well as the general public. Topics in recent years have included enactment, the somatic unconscious, annihilation fears in emotional contact among others. For further information on this year’s Symposium, please visit the Programs page or CLICK HERE.
Scientific Programs
At more frequent intervals, MIP’s Program Committee offers a series of Scientific Presentations, panels, and workshops on Saturday mornings on the Cambridge Hospital grounds. As a comparative institute, speakers and discussants are paired to represent different theoretical viewpoints on a given topic. Discussion with the audience is always provocative and evocative as a consequence. Internationally and nationally recognized authors and researchers are recruited to share their passionate interests and clinical work with our membership. A particular effort is made to generate programs on subjects that are underrepresented in our training program or very different from the reigning consensus in our geographical area. Interdisciplinary subjects, such as psychoanalysis and social action, psychoanalysis in literature, art and theater, and intersections with brain sciences are popular as well. For a list of the current year’s panel of Scientific Programs, CLICK HERE.
Mini-Semester Courses
Every winter, a group of “mini-semester” courses are offered in special topics taught by faculty and members. Very popular have been courses on particular thinkers such as Winnicott, Green, Klein, Ogden and the Post-Moderns as well as more general content courses such as eating disorders, death and dying, the connection between attachment and primitive states, and psychoanalysis in social action. These courses run from 2 to 6 classes on either Friday or Saturday in January and February and are open to all members. For a complete list of this year’s Member Mini-Semester Courses CLICK HERE.
Other Member Courses
During the regular semesters, members who are not in the training programs may attend a course offered by a senior faculty member for 6-8 weeks for further study on a topic of interest to the general community. For a list of additional member courses offered this year CLICK HERE.