Training Overview
The aim of the Couple Therapy Training Program is to enhance the psychological functioning of couples and families. The one-year program in Couple Therapy, with an optional second year, combines a focus on a systemic understanding of couple dynamics with a psychodynamic perspective for working with troubled relationships.
Licensed clinicians receive training in a sophisticated and integrative approach to counseling through once a month Sunday morning seminars, and a monthly small supervision group, (which consists of 3-4 students and one faculty supervisor, meeting on Sunday afternoon following the class). The program’s core faculty consists of senior clinicians and analysts, including leading practitioners in the field. The training year starts in September and ends in June.
Applications for PCFINE Year I class for 2024-2025 are now being accepted.
Program Structure
PCFINE’s couple therapy curriculum begins with a theoretical overview of our guiding principles. Each subsequent class focuses on a specific aspect of clinical work, tying theory to clinical examples from both fellows and faculty. The first year of our training program covers topics that equip clinicians with the fundamentals necessary for providing effective couple treatments (see below). There is also an optional second year program, pursued by a majority of our fellows, in which clinicians delve more deeply into specific, but common clinical issues facing couple therapy: e.g., infidelity; working with gay and lesbian clients; parenting issues; racial and other sociocultural dimensions; and moral dimensions. After the second year, some clinicians choose to continue learning with their classmates and arrange for monthly group supervision over several years to follow. PCFINE welcomes our fellows to become involved in our professional organization which offers continuing education opportunities and professional support in sponsoring talks, case presentations, and symposia.
The first year classes meet monthly on Sunday mornings, from 8:45 am-noon, September through June, and are held at the homes of class coordinators. Each half-year has two faculty coordinators present at all classes in addition to the faculty guest speaker there to teach that month's topic. This is to offer a window into the differences in approach that various senior clinicians take, and to allow for continuity of themes between classes. The classes are taught in the manner of a post-graduate seminar with active participation by the fellows both in exploring the theory presented and around discussion of clinical examples. A syllabus and readings are provided in advance for each meeting. There are a total of 10 sessions. There is an orientation brunch for fellows and faculty before the first class meets in September.
In addition to the monthly class meetings, fellows will be divided into small groups of 3 or 4 clinicians and assigned to a consultation group leader, a senior faculty member with whom they will meet monthly for two hours on Sundays following classes. This provides an opportunity for ongoing case discussion of the fellows' work as it evolves over the course of the training program.
Tuition and Fees
A non-refundable deposit of $100 is due with the application. The annual fee is $1750.00. Private supervision can be arranged at a reduced fee with any of the faculty. An Equity Rate ($750.00) and scholarships are available. To learn more, go to the website at www.pcfine.org.
The "Equity Rate" of $750.00 is intended for prospective students who submit a statement explaining how they meet our criteria of: (1) identifying as belonging to a racial or ethnic group with historical barriers to access, and/or (2) primarily working with low-income individuals or those who have also endured historical barriers to access by virtue of their race or ethnicity.
Please Note: Applicants must be licensed mental health professionals or working under the supervision of a licensed clinician. Independently licensed professionals will need to submit a certificate of malpractice insurance and a copy of license. All applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae.
Questions: Call Alice Rapkin, PCFINE Administrator, with any questions at 781-433-0906, or send her an email at pcfine1934@gmail.com.