Fall 2026 ONLINE Courses

Psychopharmacology

* Required for Certificate in Modern Psychoanalysis

Instructor: William Lorman JD, PhD, MSN, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, NCPsyA

Course Meeting: Tuesdays 7:00 pm-8:30

Course Dates: September 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 10, 17, 24, December 1, 8

CEs =18

Price: $500

Course Description:

Most practicing mental health professionals, including psychoanalysts in training, have minimal background and training in psychopharmacology. From the mid-1960s (and even currently), polarization occurred between those advocating psychological theories (such as psychoanalytic and behavioral models) and those on the other side of the fence using biological and medical models. Each school attracted followers who had strong emotional investments in their perspective. Fortunately, during the past decade, we are witnessing a shift in thinking, as increasing numbers of practitioners and training institutions move away from egocentric and dogmatic positions and begin to embrace a more integrated approach with regard to both theories of etiology and methods of treatment. New discoveries in the neurosciences, refined scientific and practical advances in psychotherapy and a large number of outcome studies in both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy have made it clear that people are complex and mental health problems spring from many sources, and reductionist, one-dimensional models are inadequate to explain the wide array of mental and emotional problems people experience and no single approach to treatment works for all problems. Certain disorders clearly respond better to certain interventions, whereas others require alternative approaches. Although the primary focus of this course is on psychopharmacology, there is a strong respect for integrative approaches to treatment: recognition of the primary importance of psychoanalysis and the collaboration among professionals from different disciplines.

Course Objectives:

1. Understand both the intrapsychic and interpersonal meanings of medication for the patient [1.l, 3.d, 3.f, 3.h, 3.i, 3.j, 3.k, 4.f]
2. Describe specific medications and their uses for patients with identified diagnoses [1.f, 1.i, 1.k]
3. List positive and negative reasons for the utilization of psychopharmacologic interventions in psychoanalytic treatment [1.d, 4.d]
4. Describe how medications are seen as transitional objects for the patient [1.b, 4.b]

About the Instructor:

William Lorman, JD, PhD, MSN, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, NCPsyA completed his doctoral studies in applied psychology. He is also certified as a psychoanalyst and currently is on faculty at the Philadelphia School of Psychoanalysis. He is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and also certified as an advanced practice addictions specialist. He has been adjunct professor at several universities where he has taught neuroscience, psychopathology and psychopharmacology courses. He maintains a private practice where he works with adults and treats a full range of psychiatric disorders. He utilizes a psychoanalytic-medical model and provides services that include individual and group psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluations and medication management. In addition to his academic and clinical experience, Dr. Lorman has presented seminars on various mental health topics nationally and internationally, has written multiple articles and textbook chapters and is a management and clinical consultant to several major corporations where he provides therapeutic and group facilitation services. He has completed a Juris Doctor degree and consults in the areas of medical malpractice, administrative and employment law.

Case Presentation Workshop

* Required for Certificate in Modern Psychoanalysis

Instructor: Ray Gourley MALA, NCPsyA

Course Meeting: Saturdays 10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Course Dates: September 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28, December 5, 12

CEs =18

Price: $500

Course Description:

Psychoanalytic institutes offer a unique opportunity for students to incorporate didactic and experiential learning into practical application in the psychoanalytic treatment of patients. Concomitant with coursework, and as her psychoanalytic caseload grows, the student develops skills in gathering patient history, assessing, and diagnosing, exploring resistances, identifying defense structures and developmental undercurrents, and understanding the patient-therapist dynamics.

The case presentation requirement at IMPP is intended to provide a learning tool for both the “presenter” and the other participants. Rather than choosing a case that enables the student therapist to demonstrate her brilliant skills as an analyst, the student is advised to select a case that highlights some aspect of the treatment relationship that the therapist finds challenging. During the semester, each student is expected to present sections of the written case material as well as engage in class discussion. We will explore the interrelatedness of IMPP’s required and elective courses and how they are evidenced in this workshop.

Course Objectives:

1. Present a portion of the case presentation in class, primarily focusing on the treatment relationship.
2. Incorporate the case presentation outline as a guide into a completed 2-4-page case presentation write-up.
3. Integrate a minimum of 5 ABAP Core Competencies into the case presentation write up.
4. Identify problem areas in the case chosen and discuss in class
5. Understand the interrelatedness of program coursework in psychoanalytic theory/historical developments, human maturation and development, modern analytic theory and techniques, and case presentations.

About the Instructor:

Raymond Gourley is a NAAP Certified Psychoanalyst who has been practicing at Philadelphia Consultation Center (PCC) since 2006. In addition to being a IMPP Training Analyst, he has experience working with individuals, couples, and families. Raymond received his degree from St. John’s College, Santa Fe, NM. Raymond is also on faculty at IMPP and has held several administrative roles in our organization. Currently he is PCC’s Group Practice Coordinator.

Psychoanalytic Approaches to Organizations, Leadership and Organizational Consultancy

*Required for Modern Psychoanalysis & Organizational Life Series

Instructor: Wally Fletcher D Min, NCPsyA

Course Meeting: Saturdays 9:00 a.m.- 10:30 a.m

Course Dates: September 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28, December 5, 12

CEs =18

Price: $500

Course Description:

Beginning with Freud and Bion, psychoanalysis has made rich contributions to the study and treatment of organizational and leadership dynamics and dilemmas. Building on an overview of the psychodynamics of organizations, work, and leadership, this course will focus on helping organizations, workers, leaders, and consultants face some of the big challenges of our times.

The base-line conditions with which all organizations deal today are described by many experts as VUCA meaning “volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous.” In this environment, organizations, leaders, and consultants need a deep understanding of the root causes, forces, and dynamics driving the VUCA challenges they are facing. These challenges may include issues related to unconscious bias, diversity, equity, inclusion, doing good while doing well, ecological risks, work-place dilemmas like “return to work” policies, organizational morale, work-place mental health conditions, impacts of artificial intelligence and organizational justice.

As a depth psychology Psychoanalysis can provide organizations with powerful frameworks and tools for understanding and addressing their VUCA dilemmas, for example, the types of anxieties people and groups are struggling with and the types of interventions that can help or hurt. The theoretical and clinical perspectives surveyed in this course will provide participants with a sound psychoanalytic foundation for working in a variety of organizational roles and environments. Anyone who cares about the health and vitality of organizations to which they are attached should find this course relevant.

Course Objectives:

1. To introduce participants to the psychoanalytic study of organizations and its efficacious applications in organizational leadership, consulting, and clinical practice.

2. To create a safe learning environment for participants to share and learn collaboratively.

3. To explore the particular utility of key Modern Psychoanalytic techniques in organizational leadership and consultancy.

4. To consider case studies and interventions related to particular types of challenges organizations, leaders and consultants face in volatile times.

About the Instructor:

Wally Fletcher teaches courses on the evolution of psychoanalytic theory and practice and directs the Modern Psychoanalysis & Organizational Life course series at IMPP. Dr. Fletcher has extensive training and experience as a therapist, consultant, educator and non-profit executive. He is a Certified Psychoanalyst and Clinical Supervisor in the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis and a certified Clinical Fellow and member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. He teaches courses in Organizational & Strategic Leadership and in Pastoral Counseling at Neumann University and courses in the history and evolution of psychoanalysis at the Institute for Modern Psychoanalysis of Philadelphia. He serves on the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health’s Faith and Spiritual Affairs Advisory Board. He is also on the mental health faculty of CREDO, an intensive wellness program for clergy administered by the Pension Boards of the Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches US.

Clinical Perspectives on Freud’s Social Thought and Activism

* Required for Modern Psychoanalysis & Organizational Life Series

Instructor: Wally Fletcher D Min, NCPsyA

Course Meeting: Saturdays 10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m

Course Dates: September 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28, December 5, 12

CEs =18

Price: $500

Course Description:

After the First World War Freud turned his attention increasingly from individual psychoanalysis to the psychoanalysis of wars, large groups, societies, religions, politics, social justice, and advancing his revolutionary, “Psychoanalysis for the People.” In his first postwar address to his followers titled “Lines of Advance in Psychoanalytic Therapy” in 1918 Freud challenged his International Society to: politically advocate for universal mental health care as a human right; establish “free clinics” to make psychoanalysis accessible to persons regardless of their ability to pay and create new adaptations and applications of psychoanalytic technique to meet the needs of a wider range of underserved groups. And, so that psychoanalysis would no longer be known exclusively as a treatment for well-to-do neurotic patients.

This course will focus on Freud’s seminal and wide-ranging works on social, cultural and justice topics between the first and second world wars and their relevance for clinical practice in our turbulent times.

Course Objectives:

1. To gain a deeper knowledge of Freud’s expansive socio-cultural works and consider their relevance and applications for therapists as well as for organizational leaders and consultants.

2. To collaborate in forming a healthy learning community for grappling with the challenging socio-cultural questions and dilemmas raised by Freud’s social-cultural works.

3. To consider how clinicians conscious and implicit social attitudes and values should and inevitably affect their practice, and the importance of self-reflectivity and critical consciousness for dealing with their impacts.

4. To consider the lasting contributions early psychoanalysts have made to the development of trauma informed care for impacted individuals, communities, organizations and societies.

About the Instructor:

Wally Fletcher teaches courses on the evolution of psychoanalytic theory and practice and directs the Modern Psychoanalysis & Organizational Life course series at IMPP. Dr. Fletcher has extensive training and experience as a therapist, consultant, educator and non-profit executive. He is a Certified Psychoanalyst and Clinical Supervisor in the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis and a certified Clinical Fellow and member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. He teaches courses in Organizational & Strategic Leadership and in Pastoral Counseling at Neumann University and courses in the history and evolution of psychoanalysis at the Institute for Modern Psychoanalysis of Philadelphia. He serves on the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health’s Faith and Spiritual Affairs Advisory Board. He is also on the mental health faculty of CREDO, an intensive wellness program for clergy administered by the Pension Boards of the Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches US.

Leadership and Crisis-Modern Psychoanalytic Perspectives and Approaches

* Required for Modern Psychoanalysis & Organizational Life Series

Instructor: Khary M. Atif, LCSW, NCPsyA

Course Meeting: Thursdays 5:00- 6:30 pm

Course Dates: September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19, December 3

CEs =18

Price: $500

Course Description:

One of the critical tasks of leadership is helping people and organizations deal with the emotional demands of meeting significant adaptive challenges especially in times of crisis. This course will focus on the psychodynamics of crisis and adaptive stress as well as effective leadership and modern psychoanalytic strategies for dealing with them. The course is for people who are or aspiring to be in varied leadership roles. It is also for clinicians who are or considering working with leaders and organizations as therapists, coaches and/or consultants. It will draw upon relevant literature but largely on discussion of case examples presented by class participants. The multiple adaptive and crisis challenges including racial and ecological justice crises facing leadership today are truly daunting. Depth psychology is needed to reach beyond treating symptoms to root causes that create and perpetuate them.

Course Objectives:

1. To deepen participants’ understanding of the nature of adaptive stress and crisis, and the demands it makes of leadership and organizations.
2. To increase self-awareness of the impact (primary and secondary) of adaptive stress among leaders, therapists and consultants to responsibly address its self-care and countertransference impacts.
3. To increase participants’ ability to apply sound collaborative leadership, ‘process consulting’ and psychoanalytic approaches to diagnosing, designing and implementing effective strategies for helping leaders and organizations meet adaptive challenges and crises.
4. To help participants’ make best use of case-study and action reflection methodology to achieve the above.
5. To help participants’ make best use of peer and professional consultation and supervision to achieve the above.

About the Instructor:

Khary Atif is a Nationally Certified Psychoanalyst, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a graduate of the Institute for Modern Psychoanalysis of Philadelphia. He is a retired Child Welfare Professional who served 37 years with the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) in the role of Director of Training and Training Delivery. He specifically trained social workers in the complexities of trauma informed service delivery within the context of law’s social function, for which he received the 2011 Commissioner Award for Leadership. Mr. Atif concluded his DHS career in 2018 as the Senior Advisor to the Department’s Chief Learning Officer.

Khary Atif In 2005 he authored the “Distended Tear”, a collection of psychoanalytic essays. His formal education was obtained at Lincoln University, Temple University, and Bryn Mawr College. He obtained the Master of Social Service degree (1997) and the Master of Law and Social Policy degree (1998) at Bryn Mawr’s Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research.

In recognition of his academic efforts and commitment to service, Bryn Mawr’s Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research honored Mr. Atif with their first Alumni Achievement Award (2009); recognizing him as an emergent leader in the field of Social Work. In 2015, he was honored at the Graduate School’s Centennial as one of the school’s 100 Distinguished Alumni.

Early Development and the Foundations of Psychic Life

*Required for Certificate in Modern Psychoanalysis

Instructor: Cristiane Irey Psy.D., NCPsyA

Course Meeting: Mondays 4:00- 5:30 pm

Course Dates: September 28, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, December 7, 14

CEs =18

Price: $500

Course Description:

This course examines the earliest phases of psychic development as foundational to lifelong maturation. Beginning with Freud’s psychosexual and structural formulations and extending through the object relations contributions of Klein, Mahler, and Winnicott, the course explores the formation of the inner world, primitive anxieties and defenses, separation–individuation, and the development of self and object constancy. Particular emphasis is placed on attachment processes, affect regulation, early ego organization, transitional phenomena, and the internalization of relational experience within the infant–caregiver dyad, including the influence of familial and cultural environments. Contemporary perspectives on mentalization and the development of reflective functioning illuminate how early relational attunement shapes the capacity to understand self and other. Clinical implications are considered throughout the course, highlighting how early structural and relational configurations influence later psychopathology and the therapeutic process.

Course Objectives:

1. Identify and discuss major psychoanalytic theories of early development, including contributions from Freud, Klein, Mahler, Winnicott, and contemporary attachment and mentalization perspectives.
2. Describe the developmental dynamics of the infant–caregiver relationship, including the role of attunement, affect regulation, and the formation of early relational patterns.
3. Explain how early maturation processes contribute to the development of the self, object constancy, and internal representations, incorporating insights from developmental psychology and neuroscience.
4. Recognize how early attachment and relational patterns may reappear within the therapeutic relationship, particularly through transference, resistance, and relational enactments.
5. Evaluate factors that contribute to healthy development as well as disruptions in early maturation, considering familial, cultural, and environmental influences.

About the Instructor:

Dr. Cristiane Muraro Irey is a Clinical Psychologist and Certified Psychoanalyst with over 30 years of experience working with individuals across the lifespan. She holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology, and Certification in Psychoanalysis. Dr. Irey joined the Institute for Modern Psychoanalysis of Philadelphia (IMPP) in 2010 and currently serves as a Faculty Member, Board Member, Training Analyst, and Clinical Supervisor. In her private practice, Dr. Irey provides long-term therapy rooted in psychodynamic and eclectic approaches, working with adults and adolescents across a wide range of emotional and relational concerns. Her clinical work emphasizes emotional growth, psychological insight, and the central role of relational dynamics in well-being. As a Board Member, Dr. Irey is committed to advancing psychoanalytic education that is both theoretically rigorous and attuned to the evolving realities of clinical practice. Her vision is to support IMPP as a dynamic and inclusive center for transformative psychoanalytic training.