Register for one or more sessions by clicking here.

This course is done entirely distance learning through Zoom Videoconference

Wednesdays from 9:45-11:45 am Eastern Time. (new time for 2025-2026)

Foundations of Psychoanalytic Couple Therapy distance learning course will focus on special topics and challenges in the practice of psychoanalytic couple therapy, using didactic lectures, case presentations, discussion, and advance readings. The course will feature presenters from the International Psychotherapy Institute and colleagues from England, Scotland, Greece, United Arab Emirates, Austria and the US. Register by semester or individual class with special discounted price for semester enrollment, including free subscription to the Couple and Family Psychoanalysis Journal for a full-year enrollment.

***Registrants in this course are encouraged to also attend the one-day online course Fundamentals of Psychoanalytic Couple Therapy in September 2025.  Click for more information on the one-day course.

Program Chair

David Scharff, M.D. and Carla Trusty-Smith, Ph.D., LMHC

Program Date(s):

Educational Objectives

Overall Course Objective 

Participants in this course will enhance their repertoire of psychoanalytic couple therapy and technique regarding how to discriminate specific couple syndromes from individual partner difficulties.

 Detailed objectives for each session are given to registered participants

Continuing Education Credit Hours

Single Session: 2 hours CE credit

All 15 sessions: 30 hours of CE credit

Registration

Register for the full 15 session series or choose individual dates.

Click here to register

Tuition and Fees

$60 per session (IPI Members $50)

$850 for all 15 sessions  (IPI Members $700)

Attendance Policy

The IPI is an APA-approved provider (sponsor) of continuing education (CE) credit that specifies standards by which CE credits can be awarded for learning activities. The APA only awards CE credit for actual instructional time, and variable credit for partial attendance may not be awarded. IPI expects 100% attendance for a student to receive CE credit. An enrolled student would not receive credit for the course or program unless the student were to attend all of the classes within that academic year. Attendance records are maintained by the faculty at each class. In the very rare instance when a student would have to miss a class, that student would be expected to complete a make-up assignment with specified learning objectives, as part of IPI’s adherence to APA standards for awarding credit. Missing more than one session or failing to do the homework for the 1 missed session may result in 0 CE credits being awarded.

Couple and Family Psychoanalysis Journal

Learn more about the purpose and background of the journal from our director, Caroline Sehon, and the journal’s editor, Christopher Clulow.

Membership Benefits

Become a member of IPI to receive discounted registration fees for most of IPI’s events, a subscription to PEP Web, the online psychoanalytic library, and other benefits depending on membership level.

All IPI Members have the option to add on a Zoom account through the IPI for an additional $150 per year.

IPI has a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement with Zoom, which provides a HIPAA compliant platform for our accounts. HIPPA compliance is strongly recommended for all internet-mediated clinical work and clinical teaching. 

Click for IPI Membership

Should you have any questions about the program or the application process, please feel free to contact:

Carla Trusty-Smith - ccf@theipi.org

Continuing Education Information

The International Psychotherapy Institute, IPI, is approved by The American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. IPI maintains responsibility for the program and its content. The International Psychotherapy Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6017. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The International Psychotherapy Institute is responsible for all aspects of the programs. The International Psychotherapy Institute is authorized by the Board of Social Work Examiners in Maryland to sponsor social work continuing education learning activities and maintains full responsibility for this program. This training qualifies for Category I continuing education units. The International Psychotherapy Institute is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0299.
Participants are responsible for verifying that IPI CE credit is accepted by the licensing boards in their own states.