Q: Where is the Philadelphia School of Psychoanalysis located?
A: PSP is located at 313 S. 16th Street in Center City, Philadelphia (16th Street between Pine and Spruce Streets). PSP is convenient to all major highways (just blocks from the Schuylkill and Vine Street Expressways) and is convenient to public transportation incuding SEPTA Regional Rail lines (Surburban Station, 16th and John F. Kennedy Boulevard), PATCO Hi-Speed Line (16th and Locust Streets), Broad Street Subway (Walnut-Locust), Market Frankford Elevated Line and Subway Surface Lines (15th and Market) and Amtrak (transfer to Septa to Suburban Station).

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Q: Who can attend courses at PSP?
A: Anyone can attend courses. PSP courses are open to the general public as well as to mental health professionals interested in furthering their careers. Many people are interested in taking courses in psychoanalysis for personal enrichment and we invite those individuals to take courses at PSP.

Q: What is the learning environment like at PSP?
A: The PSP facility is a beautifully renovated, historic building with a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. Our classes are conducted in small, intimate rooms with warm lighting and soft chairs arranged in a circular group arrangement. Our students and faculty find this to be most conducive to stimulating class discussions.

Q: What is Modern Psychoanalysis?
A: Modern Psychoanalysis, in the words of its founder, Dr. Hyman Spotnitz, is a theory of psychological treatment based on …“Freud’s theory and Freud’s method of therapy which has been reformulated on the basis of subsequent psychoanalytic investigation.” Whereas the classical method relies primarily on interpretive interventions, Modern Psychoanalysis utilizes a wide range of interventions including ego reinforcement, emotional communication, cognitive and symbolic approaches and resistance resolution. Our theory of treatment considers narcissistic, or “preoedipal” disorders, psychosomatic difficulties and schizophrenic reactions to be psychologically reversible. The Modern Analytic approach, while taking into account Freud’s libido theory, recognizes the significant role of mobilized but undischarged aggression in the development of these disorders and their subsequent therapeutic reversibility.

Q: How long do the certification programs take to complete?
A: Our programs allow for flexibility in accommodating the student's personal and professional life and each student proceeds at his/her own pace. The Certification program in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (which is open to licensed mental health professionals who wish to expand their treatment skills) can be completed in as little as two years. The more intensive program in Modern Psychoanalysis consists of 24 courses followed by clinical training and this program can be completed in as little as five years, depending on the pace of the individual student.

Q: Can I sit in on a class before registering?
A: Yes. We welcome visitors. Simply call our Administrator, Tamika Hall, at (215) 732-8244, ext. 802 to arrange a visit.

Q: Can I get a Ph.D. in psychoanalysis at PSP?
A: Students who complete our training program in Psychoanalysis are awarded a nationally-accredited certificate enabling them to practice as a Psychoanalyst and to apply for state licensure as a Psychoanalyst in states where such a license is available. While PSP does not offer Masters or Ph.D. degrees at this time, PSP is supportive of people obtaining those degrees. In particular, our students have found that the following schools accept PSP coursework toward their degree programs in psychoanalysis: The Union Institute, International University for Graduate Studies and Hattie R. Rosenthal College of Psychoanalysis of Heed University.

Q: Is the Philadelphia School of Psychoanalysis accredited?
A: Yes. PSP is a charter member of the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis (NAAP) and is accredited by the American Board for Accreditation in Psychoanalysis, Inc. Graduates certified by PSP are eligible for individual membership in NAAP.

Q: When and where are classes held?
A: All PSP courses are conducted in Center City, Philadelphia at our 313 South 16th Street location. Most classes are held on Saturdays and are usually concluded by 2:00 p.m. Occasionally, courses are offered on weeknights.

Q: I still have questions. Who should I call?
A: Call the PSP Administrator at (215) 732-8244, ext. 802. She will answer your questions and/or refer you to the appropriate person who can assist you.