Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy Training (CAPTP)

Each student is required to be in psychoanalytic psychotherapy with a psychoanalyst who is a graduate of an institute recognized by the program’s Training Committee. Students are required to be in treatment a minimum of two times per week for the entire three years of the training program.

Students are required to work with a supervisor throughout the training program. During the first year, the supervisor must be chosen from the members of the Institute’s Executive Committee. For the second and third years of training, supervisors are chosen from the list provided by the program. Students will work with each supervisor for a minimum of 40 sessions; the cost is $75 per session.

Beginning in January of the first academic year, students meet once weekly in a small group to present cases, discuss treatment issues, and integrate theory with clinical practice.

The aim of the program is to train highly skilled, independent practitioners of psychoanalytic psychotherapy with children and adolescents. Students come primarily from the disciplines of psychiatry, psychology, psychoanalysis, social work, art therapy, mental health counseling, marriage and family counseling, and psychiatric nursing. Applicants are expected to have terminal degrees in their field of study and to be licensed or license-eligible.

Applications may be completed online or by downloading a hard copy and mailing it to Meghana Giridhar, Registrar, The William Alanson White Institute, 20 West 74th St., New York, NY, 10023 with a $100 nonrefundable application fee. (Ms. Giridhar can also be reached at m.giridhar@wawhite.org.) Completed applications and supporting documents will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee, which may then offer the applicant two interviews.

Application

We endeavor, when possible, to prevent finances from being a barrier to training. Financial aid, such as loans or scholarships, may be available to students with demonstrated financial need.

In addition, all students have the opportunity to work with patients under the auspices of the Institute’s Child and Family Center, thereby enriching their training experience, and enabling students to earn financial credits which may be applied to their program expenses.

As part of training, all students are required to see patients under supervision. Patients will be seen at least weekly, and family and school contacts may be required. It is expected that students will work with a variety of patients of different ages, genders, and ethnicities.

The Institute is approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, (SEVIS), which is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. Upon acceptance to our program, our Designated School Officer, Meghana Giridhar (m.giridhar@wawhite.org) will complete the initial SEVIS forms and issue a signed Form I-20. After receiving the form from the Institute, the student applies to the United States Consulate or Embassy for an F-1 Visa. Students must enroll and enter the country within 30 days of the program start date. If a student does not report within the 30-day period, their SEVIS record is cancelled. An F1 student can maintain their status for as long as they continue to be enrolled in a full-time educational program. For questions regarding curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT) status or other questions regarding SEVIS eligibility, please contact Richard Herman (r.herman@wawhite.org). Applicants need to demonstrate proficiency in spoken English, which will allow them to work with English-speaking patients. Applicants whose undergraduate and/or professional training was acquired outside of the United States must submit their educational credentials to the New York State Department of Education, Office of the Professionals, Division of Professional Licensing Services, Psychoanalytic Unit, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany New York, 12234-1000. The Institute uses no other service for the purpose of certifying equivalence to American degree programs.

Students in the program are invited to participate in all facets of Institute life, including the Tuesday morning Clinical Education meetings, and special interest groups.

Study Groups

Students are encouraged to participate in all facets of Institute life. This includes clinical meetings, conferences, and specialized services. Graduates of the program are encouraged to participate in Institute activities, program committees, teaching and supervision.