Adult Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

The Adult Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program is a two-year clinical training program in the theory and technique of psychodynamic psychotherapy. It provides advanced instruction and supervision in psychodynamic psychotherapy by members of our psychoanalytic faculty chosen for their superior teaching ability. This program is an ideal fit for clinicians at whatever stage of their career who wants to deepen their knowledge and hone their skills as a psychotherapist in an intimate learning environment. Our program is a wonderful opportunity to make meaningful relationships and receive professional mentorship from highly experienced and diverse faculty.

Curriculum

Our program has two parts: weekly seminars and individual supervision. In seminars, our students are exposed to diverse psychoanalytic models of thought, psychodynamic techniques, and applied forms of treatment. Class formats combine discussion of readings from psychoanalytic and psychodynamic literature with the presentation of clinical material by instructors and students. We pair each student with an experienced faculty member for weekly supervision. We encourage students to see the patients they present in supervision two or three times per week when appropriate; however, this is not required.

Logistics

Weekly seminars are held from 7:30 - 9:00 on Monday nights and take place entirely on Zoom. 

Weekly supervisory sessions are 45 minutes long and are scheduled at the mutual convenience of the supervisor and supervisee. Supervision can take place on Zoom or in person at the mutual convenience of the trainee and supervisor.

Administration

David Schab, MD, chair

Elhav Weinstein, MD, vice-chair

Christopher Doherty, program coordinator

Tuition

The fee for the program for the 2025-26 academic year is $4,872, which is payable in two installments at the beginning of each term. Students also have the option of arranging for a second supervisor for an additional fee of $2,436 per year. Tuition increases at an incremental rate annually. This program does not qualify for the Columbia University Tuition Exemption Program.

In addition to the professional growth, collegiality, and intellectual enrichment our program provides, it offers participants many of the benefits afforded to Columbia University students, including online access to the university’s libraries and the ability to enroll in Columbia Student Health Insurance. Graduates earn a Certification of Professional Achievement from Columbia University and may claim a maximum of 30 continuing education credits (see below).

All students are eligible to enroll in Columbia Student Health Insurance for an additional fee. For details, please click here.

Tuition and fees listed here and elsewhere throughout this website are subject to change without prior notice. 

Please review the Refund and Cancellation Policy. 

Application

Applications are accepted from psychiatrists, PhDs, PsyDs, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. All applicants must be licensed and have malpractice insurance.

The two-year program starts in September of even-numbered years. We will be accepting applications for the academic year that begins in September, 2026 during the fall of 2025. The deadline for submitting applications is May 15, 2026. Admission decisions will be made by mid June. 

With your application, you will be expected to upload a copy of your CV and include documentation of current licensure and adequate malpractice coverage. In addition, we require a letter of recommendation from the director of your professional training program and one additional letter from a previous psychotherapy supervisor. Please ask each of these references to send a letter supporting your application to the Psychoanalytic Center via email to psychoanalysis@cumc.columbia.edu. 

Once your application is complete and after review, you may be invited to interview with a member of the Psychotherapy Division.

For more information please contact program coordinator, Christopher Doherty at psychoanalysis@cumc.columbia.edu.