Integrative Psychoanalytic
Couple Therapy
A 9-Month Virtual certificate program building on 5 successful years and over 55 graduates.
Deepen Your Skills with Couples
Novice and experienced therapists alike struggle with the many challenges of couple psychotherapy. Some couples can be helped by simply facilitating a dialogue between the partners, but many others struggle with difficulties related to affect regulation, narcissistic vulnerability, feelings of rage or hopelessness, sequelae of trauma, and other issues which require much more of the couple therapist. This couple therapy program focuses on psychoanalytic theory to help therapists of all types. Psychoanalytic theory is uniquely suited to addressing the deeper roots of such difficulties; however, applying the theory to couples requires specialized training tailored to the unique demands of this modality. This program will address this training need.
What Participants Gain
Psychoanalytic Depth
Apply psychoanalytic theory to the unique, deeper challenges of the couple modality.
Integrative Framework
Thoughtfully incorporate non-psychoanalytic models (EFT, Gottman, systems) into a core psychoanalytic practice.
Clinical Confidence
Navigate high-conflict dynamics, trauma histories, and complex relationship presentations with specialized, ongoing consultation.
Testimonials
"The Integrative Psychoanalytic Couple Therapy Certificate Program was a level-up experience for me and my practice. My ability to navigate difficult cases with more authority and confidence increased greatly..."
"Completing the program... expanded and enriched me professionally and personally. With the help of experienced teachers, I learned to work with couples more empathically and effectively."
Guest Lecturers
Guest lecturers are prominent experts in particular areas of couple therapy, most of whom have authored books and presented widely.
12 of the 28 classes are taught by renowned guest speakers, including Phil Ringstrom, David Shaddock, and Patricia Papernow, who are prominent experts in couple therapy and have authored widely on the subject. Lecturers to date have included:
- Mona Fishbane
- Magdelena Fosse
- Peter Fraenkel
- Rhonda Goldman
- Arthur Gray
- Martha Kauppi
- Jamie Loveland
- Heather MacIntosh
- Jennifer McComb
- Michael McNulty
- Nadia Nieves
- Patricia Papernow
- Philip Ringstrom
- Sara Schwartzbaum
- David Shaddock
- Marjorie Nightingale
- Michelle Avigan
Curriculum Roadmap
| Phase | Focus | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Part I | Basic Tenets | Overview of psychoanalytic couple therapy, transference/co-transference, and creating safety. |
| Part II | Major Models | In-depth study of Object Relations, Self-Psychology, Intersubjective Systems, and Relational Theory. |
| Part III | Integrative Approaches | Incorporating systems, neuroscience, EFT, and the Gottman Method into psychoanalytic work. |
| Part IV | Clinical Application | Applying theory to same-sex, multicultural, older adult, high-conflict, and traumatized couples. |
Participant Learning Outcomes
- Explain and compare the basic tenets of major psychoanalytic approaches to couple therapy.
- Differentiate between psychoanalytic couple therapy and non-psychoanalytic models.
- Integrate non-psychoanalytic approaches into a fundamentally psychoanalytic framework.
- Articulate a personal theoretical orientation to couple therapy.
- Conceptualize couples from a psychoanalytic perspective, including individual dynamics.
- Apply learned theories directly to couples in active treatment.
Teaching Format & Program Components
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Didactic Seminars | 90 minutes of weekly lecture and discussion on major models and clinical applications. |
| Case Conferences | 75 minutes of small-group case presentation and clinical discussion. |
| Individual Consultation | 10+ sessions with an expert psychoanalytic couple therapist throughout the year. |
| Capstone Paper | A 5–8 page paper articulating your personal theoretical approach alongside a clinical case illustration. |
Admissions & Program Details
| Program dates | September to May |
| Format | Virtual online |
| Schedule | Thursday mornings 9 AM - 12 PM CST (28 classes plus a wrap-up session) |
| Tuition | $3,600 tuition + $1,000 for required individual consultations ($4,600 total) |
| CE status | Up to 84 CEUs available (for 28 three-hour classes) |
| Application Process | Rolling admission via Blackbaud. Requires a personal statement, CV, and an individual interview. Max 12 students. |
| Program contact | Dr. Carla Leone (cleone@icsw.edu) Samantha Antos (admissions@icsw.edu) |
Eligibility & Certificate Requirements
| Eligibility | Designed for licensed master's or doctoral-level clinicians, preferably with at least two years of post-licensure experience,* who have either previous exposure to psychoanalytic theory, or experience and training in couple therapy (ideally both). *This requirement may be waived in select cases. |
| Clinical Practice | Must actively treat at least two couples throughout the program duration. |
| Completion | Requires attendance, class participation, case presentations, and a finalized capstone paper. |
| Scholarships | Priority is given to BIPOC applicants, traditionally underrepresented groups, and those treating low-income or marginalized couples. |
Faculty & Leadership
Dr. Carla Leone, PhD
Director of the Program
Faculty member at CPI and ICSW, author of numerous peer-reviewed articles on couple and family therapy, and under contract with Routledge for a forthcoming book, An Integrative Self Psychological Approach to Couple Therapy: Rebuilding Connections, Repairing Ruptures.
Dr. Arthur Nielsen, MD
Core Faculty
CPI faculty member, a board-certified psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and the author of A Roadmap for Couple Therapy: Integrating Systemic, Psychodynamic and Behavioral Approaches as well as many other relevant publications.
Dr. Karen Bloomberg, PhD
Core Faculty / Dean of Students
Karen Bloomberg, PhD has over 40 years of experience doing couple therapy, including divorce mediation, and has taught courses on Psychoanalytic Couple Therapy in ICSW's PhD program. She is a sought-after couple therapy consultant and runs consultation groups on couple therapy.
Adjunct Clinical Consultants
All consultants are very experienced couple therapists and clinical supervisors who are offering their time at a reduced rate to support the mission of this program.
- Karen Bloomberg, PhD
- Eric Boone, LICSW
- Denise Davis, LCSW
- Robert Feldman, LCSW
- Freddi Friedman, PhD
- Heather MacIntosh, PhD
- Caryle Perlman, LCSW
- Peter Reiner, PhD
- David Shaddock, MFT, PhD
- Karen Skerrett, PhD
- Shelly Smith-Acuna, PhD
- Mark Winitsky, MFT, Psy.D