Spring 2026 ONLINE Courses

Course Meeting: Saturdays 9:00- 10:30 am (EST)

Course Dates: Jan 24, 31, Feb 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 11, 18

Instructor: Wally Fletcher, D Min, NCPsyA

CEs = 18

Course Description:

This course will focus on Freud’s major case studies and papers on psychoanalytic technique. These works were seminal for generations of practitioners and still provide much for psychotherapists of all orientations to learn. Particular attention will be given to comparing Freud’s practices with Modern Psychoanalytic and Contemporary Relational approaches to analytic psychotherapy.

Course Objectives:

1. Apply familiarity with Freud’s clinical writings for developing a critical foundation for studying and accessing psychoanalytic concepts and techniques.
2. Consider Freud’s writings in historical context and appreciate the complex cultural, political, and scientific developments that influenced his thought.
3. Understand the difficulties Freud encountered in working with patients who required adaptation and modifications in his technique.
4. Learn how Freud’s views evolved and changed over time, especially after the traumas of World War 1.
5. Consider how Freud’s observations and recommendations on technique; compare and contrast with Modern Psychoanalysis and other contemporary perspectives.

Course Meeting: Saturdays, 10:45am- 12:15pm (EST)

Course Dates: Jan 24, 31, Feb 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 11, 18

Instructor: Wally Fletcher, D Min, NCPsyA

CEs = 18

Course Description:

This course will focus on fundamental Modern Psychoanalytic consulting and facilitation skills for organizational consultants, trainers, leaders, and aspirants in a wide range of settings. During this course in addition to assigned readings, and instructor in-put, participants will develop a proposal and design for a consulting, training, workshop and/or facilitative intervention or event related to the needs of an organization with which they are or aspire to work.

This is a course in the application of modern psychoanalytic theory and technique in a variety of organizational roles and settings. Two fundamental psychoanalytic principles undergird this approach: the roles of the unconscious and of maturational processes in the emotional lives and challenges of organizations, leadership, and consultants. Corollary to these are the roles of transference and resistance in working through maturational challenges and difficulties.

Course Objectives:

1. To increase participants’ understanding of key modern psychoanalytic consulting, facilitation and leadership development principles and skills.
2. To familiarize participants with the common types of problems for which clients request consultation and modern analytic approaches for addressing them.
3. To increase participants’ proficiency in applying these tools through the presentation and group consultation of case material from participant’s own work and professional setting.
4. To increase awareness of the emotional demands of the consultant and facilitators’ role and the self-care and countertransference reflection needed to meet these demands.
5. To help participants’ make best use of case-study and action reflection methodology to achieve the above.
6. To help participants make best use of peer and professional consultation and supervision to achieve the above.

Course Meeting: Saturdays, 10:45 am- 12:15 pm (EST)

Course Dates: Jan 24, 31, Feb 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 11, 18

Instructor: Raymond Gourley, MA, NCPsyA

CEs = 18

Course Description:

​This course will explore the many facets of ethical practices. Ethical standards are ever evolving and protect the analyst and the patient from potential harm. This course will provide an opportunity and framework from which to become familiar with the ethical parameters of the psychoanalytic space in a supportive atmosphere. The course methodology will involve assigned readings and class discussion.

Course Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the ethical standards of the American Psychoanalytic Association, the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis as well as how the standards of the participant’s respective licenses intersect with the analytic ethics. 
2. Participants will demonstrate and develop strategies for making use of difficult ethical challenges that can arise in the psychoanalytic relationship.
3. Participants will develop awareness for managing and using the transference and countertransference to address potential ethical issues in their work with patients. 
4. Participants will be introduced to the process of developing and maintaining a holding environment from which the psychoanalytic work can flourish, and ethical concerns can openly be addressed in this course.

Course Meeting: Mondays, 4:00 pm- 5:30 pm (EST)

Course Dates: Jan 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Apr 6, 13

Instructor: Cristiane M. Irey, PsyD, NCPsyA

CEs = 18

Course Description:

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the evolution of psychoanalytic thought, tracing its development from Freud’s late structural theory through the emergence of ego psychology and object relations approaches. Students will examine how the analytic focus expanded beyond instinct and drive to incorporate ego functions, internal objects, and the formative impact of early relationships. By engaging with landmark texts, participants will gain insight into the historical progression of psychoanalytic techniques and their relevance to contemporary clinical practice. Special attention will be given to the pioneering contributions of Anna Freud, Melanie Klein, Ronald Fairbairn, Donald Winnicott, and Harry Guntrip, whose work fundamentally enriched modern psychoanalytic theory by emphasizing environmental, cultural, and relational influences on psychological development and therapeutic process.

Course Objectives:

1. Develop familiarity with foundational authors in ego psychology and object relations theory such as Anna Freud, Klein, Fairbairn, Winnicott, Guntrip, and Bowlby.
2. Trace the historical evolution of psychoanalytic theory and technique, understanding how the movement from drive theory to relational perspectives informs contemporary psychoanalytic treatment.
3. Apply theoretical constructs to clinical material, demonstrating a dynamic understanding of ego functioning, internalized relationships, and transference–countertransference phenomena.
4. Engage in a facilitating learning environment that encourages dialogue, reflection, and the integration of course readings with participants’ clinical work and lived experience.
5. Develop a critical framework for comparing and contrasting approaches to psychoanalytic treatment.

Course Meeting: Tuesdays, 7:00 pm-8:30 PM (EST)

Course Dates: Jan 27, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Apr 7, 14

Instructor: William Lorman, JD, PhD, MSN, NCPsyA

CEs = 18

Course Description:

The psychoanalytic practitioner is faced with communicating with the non-psychoanalytic community using the language of medicine and psychiatry while practicing from a psychoanalytic point of view. This course provides a review of assessment techniques and content along with discussions of the common DSM-5 diagnostic criteria which identifies psychopathology. Psychoanalytic theory and perspectives are incorporated as we compare and contrast mainstream psychiatry with psychoanalytic thought. Emphasis is placed on the tools of listening, observing and exploring the patient’s story. Through readings, instruction, case studies and classroom discussion, we will develop, expand and refine practice skills.

Objectives:

1. Integrate psychoanalytic thought with the currently acceptable biopsychosocial model of psychopathology resulting in competent communications with other health care providers.[1h; 2c]
2. Perform a psychiatric assessment culminating in a diagnostic impression of the client utilizing the DSM-5 criteria. [3b; 3c]
3. Recognize signs and symptoms of mental illness including substance use disorders. [1f; 1g; 1i]
4. Identify diagnostic criteria for selected psychiatric disorders [3c]

Course Meeting: Thursdays, 5:30 pm- 7:00 pm (EST)

Course Dates: Jan 29, Feb 5, 12,19, 26, Mar 5, 12, 19, 26, Apr 2, 9, 16

Instructor: Khary Atif, MSS, MLSP, LCSW, NCPsyA

CEs = 18

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.

5. Understand the interrelatedness of program coursework in psychoanalytic theory/historical developments, human maturation and development, modern analytic theory and techniques, and case presentations.