Values and Ideals of the Program
The NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis was originally established to embody and continues to stand for a few key principles: academic freedom, psychoanalytic pluralism, a comparative approach to psychoanalytic theory, dialogue among the various psychoanalytic schools and traditions, respect for the student as a mature adult and accomplished scholar (all of our students or candidates have previously earned doctoral degrees), and interdisciplinary exchange. We in the “postdoc community” have always believed that the best atmosphere in which to pursue these principles is a university setting where there is an established tradition of intellectual inquiry, freedom of thought, conversation with other disciplines, and a commitment to research and unfettered exchange of knowledge and critical scholarship. Unlike the more common freestanding psychoanalytic institutes that have historically created a quasi-religious or cult-like tradition within psychoanalysis, a university provides opportunity for cross-disciplinary exchange and guarantees freedom of thought and expression.

Curriculum and Candidate Participation
Candidates in the Postdoctoral Program are free to learn from all faculty and all orientations; our faculty includes many of the leading and most creative thinkers in the psychoanalytic world. Candidates are encouraged to sample courses and supervisors from each of the orientations although they are also free, if they so choose, to concentrate in any one of them. While receiving guidance about how to organize their curriculum, candidates may arrange a course of study that is thoroughly suited to their individual needs. Candidates are represented on many of the program’s committees as well as on the program’s senate, so that they may be exposed to faculty and graduates and may participate in program governance from the beginning of their psychoanalytic education. Numerous colloquia, conferences, workshops, weekend retreats, and social events are offered.

Aims of the Program
The program is designed to train qualified psychologists and other postdoctoral mental health professionals in the theory and practice of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. While the primary goal is to increase the understanding of therapeutic skills, the program stresses knowledge of theory and research in order to critically evaluate scientific and professional development. To draw on the broadest knowledge in the field, faculty members represent a variety of theoretical orientations.

Governance and Student Participation
The Program is headed by a Director, assisted by an Executive Committee composed of a faculty member from each of the four theoretical orientations. Program policies are set by the Postdoctoral Senate, in which students participate along with faculty and graduates. Students also are represented on many of the Program's committees, and they take part in the numerous educational, professional, and social activities of the various orientations. Candidates are encouraged to participate in the Program's organizational structures as soon as they enter training. These activities bring them into contact with other students, graduates, and faculty, and involve them in the complex administrative and decision-making structure of the Program.