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Online Continuing Education Courses for Psychologists and Mental Health Professionals

Our online psychology continuing education courses are designed for psychologists and other mental health professionals worldwide. Psychotherapists, counselors, psychoanalysts, social workers, marriage and family therapists, clinicians, and others seeking advanced study in psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy and related clinical fields participate in our programs. Students may enroll in any course individually for continuing education (CE) and continuing professional development (CPD). Psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy courses may also be applied immediately toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.

Learning options include self-paced audio, video, and guided reading formats with immediate online access upon enrollment. Audio courses include detailed written lecture transcripts and references for further study.

The Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Course summaries are organized by learning format, including audio, video, and guided reading options. Each course summary includes a brief overview, with complete course descriptions, instructor information, continuing education details, learning objectives, and enrollment options provided through “Full Details” and “Order Now” links.

Our self-paced online courses support continuing education (CE) and continuing professional development (CPD) for mental health professionals around the world.

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Course Information Summary

Self-paced courses with immediate online access upon enrollment.
Audio, video, and guided reading format options.
Audio courses include detailed written lecture transcripts and references for further study.
All courses may be taken individually for continuing education credit.
Psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy courses may be applied to the psychoanalytic psychotherapy certificate program.
Mental health professionals and students worldwide may enroll.
To enroll, simply select “Order Now” for the course of your choice.
Questions? Visit our FAQs page or contact us. We’re here to help.

Explore Our Online Psychology Courses

Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Courses

Explore online continuing education courses covering classical psychoanalytic theory, object relations, Lacanian psychotherapy, therapeutic relationships, trauma, adolescent psychotherapy, and related psychodynamic approaches. All of the courses listed in this section qualify toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.

Classical Psychoanalytic Theory (8 CE Credits)

Ego Psychology (8 CE Credits)

Object Relations Theory (8 CE Credits)

Personality Disorders from a Psychoanalytic Perspective (8 CE Credits)

Psychodynamics of the Therapeutic Relationship (8 CE Credits)

Psychodynamics of Child Abuse and Trauma (8 CE Credits)

Analytic Mindset (2 CE Credits)

Intersubjectivity in Psychoanalysis (1 CE Credit)

Couch or Face-to-Face Seating in Psychoanalysis? (1 CE Credit)

Consciousness and the Id (4 CE Credits)

Jacques Lacan: Introductory Overview (4 CE Credits)

Lacan – Inspired Psychotherapy (4 CE Credits)

What Works in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy With Adolescents? (2 CE Credits)

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Online for Adolescents (2 CE Credits)

Evidence Base for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy With Children and Adolescents (2 CE Credits)

Intrapersonal Factors Promoting Diversity Tolerance (2 CE Credits)

Additional Clinical and Professional Topics

In addition to psychoanalytic and psychodynamic coursework, the Institute offers online continuing education courses in mindfulness, systems thinking, and related topics that support contemporary clinical practice and professional growth.

Mindfulness Training: Introduction, Attention, and the Present Moment (2 CE Credits)

Mindfulness Training: Body Scan Meditation and Informal Mindfulness Practices (2 CE Credits)

Modern Systems Thinking for Psychotherapy (2 CE Credits)

Course Summaries

Browse Courses by Learning Format

Courses below are organized by learning format for ease of browsing, while many course topics also fall within the psychoanalytic and psychodynamic areas described above. Each course includes a brief overview here. Complete course descriptions, learning objectives, instructor information, and continuing education details appear within “Full Details” and “Order Now” links.

Audio Courses

Psychodynamics of Child Abuse and Trauma (8 CE Credits)

This online Psychodynamics of Child Abuse and Trauma course examines the psychological effects of physical, sexual, and emotional child abuse and neglect from a psychodynamic perspective. Dr. Michael J. Gerson considers effects on intrapsychic and interpersonal development; emotional, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes; multigenerational issues; and pertinent DSM diagnoses. The course also addresses issues associated with childhood abuse and trauma, including substance abuse, eating disorders, PTSD, and personality disorders, with case examples. Please note that this material, by its nature, may be stressful. The course includes online audio presentations accompanied by written transcripts, allowing participants to review the material in either or both formats. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the course for 8 CE credits. Intermediate level. This course may be applied as an elective course toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy if desired. $119.

Ego Psychology (8 CE Credits)

This online Ego Psychology course examines the development of psychoanalytic ego psychology and its relationship to classical psychoanalytic theory. The course explores major contributions to our understanding of the ego, its functions, defenses, adaptation, and development, and considers the ways ego psychology expanded and modified earlier Freudian formulations. Particular attention is given to the work of major theorists and to the implications of ego psychological concepts for understanding personality development, psychopathology, and clinical practice. The course includes online audio presentations accompanied by written transcripts, allowing participants to review the material in either or both formats. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the course for 8 CE credits. Introductory level. Recommended prerequisite: Classical Psychoanalytic Theory. This course may be applied as a core course toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy if desired. $119.

Classical Psychoanalytic Theory (8 CE Credits)

This online Classical Psychoanalytic Theory course examines the basic principles and major models of Freudian psychoanalytic theory. Dr. Michael J. Gerson begins with the theory’s fundamental assumptions, including psychological determinism, consciousness, motivation, and the genetic approach, and then examines the dynamic-economic, topographic, structural, adaptive, and genetic models in depth. The course considers Freud’s evolving theoretical framework and the continuing relevance of these concepts to contemporary understandings of human behavior and psychotherapy. The course includes online audio presentations accompanied by written transcripts, allowing participants to review the material in either or both formats. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the course. 8 CE credits. Introductory level. This course may be applied as a core course toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. $119.

Object Relations Theory (8 CE Credits)

This online Object Relations Theory course examines a major psychoanalytic perspective on how early relationships and interpersonal experience contribute to the development of mind, personality, and psychopathology. Dr. Michael J. Gerson begins with the work of Melanie Klein, contrasting her views with those of Sigmund Freud, and then examines the contributions of Fairbairn, Balint, Winnicott, and Guntrip. The course provides essential groundwork for understanding more recent developments in Object Relations Theory and their implications for clinical practice. The course course includes online audio presentations accompanied by written transcripts, allowing participants to review the material in either or both formats. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the course for 8 CE credits. Introductory level. Recommended prerequisite: Classical Psychoanalytic Theory. This course may be applied as a core course toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy if desired. $119.

Personality Disorders from a Psychoanalytic Perspective (8 CE Credits)

This online Personality Disorders from a Psychoanalytic Perspective course examines how major psychoanalytic theories contribute to understanding personality formation and pathology. Drawing on the work of Freud, Abraham, Fenichel, Kohut, Kernberg, Masterson, and Bollas, Dr. Michael J. Gerson considers personality disorders described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) through a range of psychoanalytic perspectives. The course explores how these perspectives can deepen clinical understanding of personality organization and inform work with patients with enduring patterns of functioning. The course includes online audio presentations accompanied by written transcripts, allowing participants to review the material in either or both formats. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the course for 8 CE credits. Intermediate level. This course may be applied as a core course toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. $119.

Psychodynamics of the Therapeutic Relationship (8 CE Credits)

This online Psychodynamics of the Therapeutic Relationship course examines the therapeutic alliance, transference, countertransference, defenses, and resistance—central concepts in psychodynamic psychotherapy. By examining these processes, clinicians can move beyond day-to-day events toward deeper understanding of meanings, conflicts, patterns, and imagination. Dr. Michael J. Gerson provides conceptual and clinical tools for differentiating these processes and understanding how they emerge within the therapeutic relationship and inform clinical intervention. The course includes online audio presentations accompanied by written transcripts, allowing participants to review the material in either or both formats. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the course for 8 CE credits. Intermediate level. This course may be applied as a core course toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. $119.

Articles and Books

Couch or Face-to-Face Seating in Psychoanalysis? (1 CE Credit)

This online Couch or Face-to-Face Seating in Psychoanalysis? course consists of reading Önen Ünsalver et al.’s 2021 article, “The Changeable Positioning of the Couch and Repositioning to Face-to-Face Arrangement in Psychoanalysis to Facilitate the Experience of Being Seen.” The authors examine traditional couch seating in psychoanalysis in relation to research on eye contact, arousal, emotion, and interpersonal experience. Drawing on neurobiological research and object relations perspectives, the article considers how couch and face-to-face arrangements may serve different therapeutic needs and circumstances. The assigned article is open access and available online without charge. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the reading for 1 CE credit. Introductory level. This course may be applied toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. $14.

What Works in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy With Adolescents? (2 CE Credits)

This online What Works in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy With Adolescents? course consists of reading Løvgren et al.’s 2019 article, “How Do Adolescents With Depression Experience Improvement in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy? A Qualitative Study.” The authors examine how adolescents with depression described their experiences of improvement during psychodynamic psychotherapy. Drawing on in-depth interviews with adolescents who participated in a 28-week treatment program, the study identifies several aspects of therapy that participants experienced as important to change, including exploring oneself, the therapeutic relationship, and characteristics of the therapist. The assigned article is open access and available online without charge. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the reading for 2 CE credits. Introductory level. This course may be applied toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. $29.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Online for Adolescents (2 CE Credits)

This online Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Online for Adolescents course consists of reading Lindqvist et al.’s 2020 article, “Affect-Focused Psychodynamic Internet-Based Therapy for Adolescent Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial.” The authors report a randomized controlled trial of an 8-week, internet-based psychodynamic treatment for adolescents diagnosed with depression. The article describes an affect-focused psychodynamic approach, including use of the triangle of conflict, and examines treatment outcomes across several areas of functioning. The study also considers the potential for internet-based delivery to make psychodynamic psychotherapy more accessible to adolescents. The assigned article is open access and available online without charge. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the reading for 2 CE credits. Introductory level. This course may be applied toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. $29.

Evidence Base for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy With Children and Adolescents (2 CE Credits)

This online Evidence Base for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy With Children and Adolescents course consists of reading Midgley et al.’s 2021 article, “The Evidence-Base for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy With Children and Adolescents: A Narrative Synthesis.” The authors review research on psychodynamic psychotherapy for children and adolescents across a range of presenting problems, including depression, anxiety, trauma-related difficulties, and emerging personality disorders. The article also considers the types of research designs used to evaluate psychodynamic treatments and the evidence supporting their effectiveness. The assigned article is open access and available online without charge. The course also includes a brief video synopsis and introductory discussion by Dr. Marylie Gerson. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the course for 2 CE credits. Introductory level. This course may be applied toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. $29.

Jacques Lacan: Introductory Overview (4 CE Credits)

This introductory course provides an overview of Jacques Lacan’s life, intellectual development, and major psychoanalytic concepts through a scholarly, open-access article by Adrian Johnston in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Lacan was an influential and controversial figure in twentieth-century psychoanalysis whose work also affected philosophy, literary theory, and other fields concerned with language, subjectivity, and identity. The course examines the development of Lacan’s ideas, including the Real, Imaginary, and Symbolic; the Mirror Stage; his distinction between ego and subject; otherness; the Oedipus complex; and the relationships among need, demand, and desire. Participants read the assigned article and complete an online multiple-choice test. A Certificate of Completion is awarded for 4 CE credits upon successful completion. Intermediate level. This course may be applied toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. $50.

Intrapersonal Factors Promoting Diversity Tolerance (2 CE Credits)

This online Intrapersonal Factors Promoting Diversity Tolerance course consists of reading Butrus and Witenberg’s 2013 journal article, “Some Personality Predictors of Tolerance to Human Diversity: The Roles of Openness, Agreeableness, and Empathy.” The article reports an empirical study examining personality and dispositional factors associated with tolerance regarding beliefs, speech, and actions. Particular attention is given to openness, agreeableness, and empathy as predictors of tolerance and to implications of the findings for education and public policy. The article is not open access and is not included with the course; participants must obtain access independently, either directly from the publisher or through a personal, institutional, or library subscription. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the reading for 2 CE credits. Introductory level. This course may be applied toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. $21.

Analytic Mindset (2 CE Credits)

This online Analytic Mindset course consists of reading Stephen Seligman’s 2014 journal article, “Paying Attention and Feeling Puzzled: The Analytic Mindset as an Agent of Therapeutic Change." Drawing on relational psychoanalysis and nonlinear dynamic systems theory, Seligman examines the analytic mindset, the value of “feeling puzzled,” and the challenge of simultaneously attending closely to the therapeutic process while remaining fully engaged in it. The article considers nonlinear systems, processes of change, psychopathology, and therapeutic action in relation to psychoanalytic work. This article is not open access and is not included with the course; participants must obtain access independently, either directly from the publisher or through a personal, institutional, or library subscription. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the reading for 2 CE credits. Intermediate level. This course may be applied toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. $20.

Intersubjectivity in Psychoanalysis (1 CE Credit)

This online Intersubjectivity in Psychoanalysis course consists of reading Alejandro Ávila’s journal article, “The Intersubjective: A Core Concept for Psychoanalysis” (2014). Ávila reviews central concepts of the relational perspective in psychoanalysis, focusing on intersubjectivity as a fundamental framework for understanding human experience and therapeutic change. The article explores how relational processes, curiosity, uncertainty, and the jointly created analytic experience contribute to discovery and change within psychoanalytic treatment. This article is not open access and is not included with the course; participants must obtain access independently, either directly from the publisher or through a personal, institutional, or library subscription. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the reading for 1 CE credit. Intermediate level. This course may be applied toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. $10.

Consciousness and the Id (4 CE Credits)

Earn 4 CE credits for reading an interesting article by leading researchers in neuropsychoanalysis, Solms and Panksepp (Solms, M., & Panksepp, J. [2012]. The ‘id’ knows more than the ‘ego’ admits: Neuropsychoanalytic and primal consciousness perspectives on the interface between affective and cognitive neuroscience. Brain Sciences, 2, 147-175. doi: 10.3390/brainsci2020147). This thought-provoking article revisits Freud’s understanding of consciousness from an evolutionarily-tiered scientific approach and findings from current brain research. It presents evidence for id as the seat of consciousness and suggests possible limitations of the “talking cure.” A Certificate of Completion follows reading the article and passing an online multiple choice test. Please contact the Director (mgersonphd@psychstudies.net) for help in accessing the article. Advanced level. This course may be applied to the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy if desired. $29.

Video Courses

Lacan-Inspired Psychotherapy (4 CE Credits)

French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan is widely regarded as one of the most influential psychoanalytic thinkers after Freud, yet his work remains unfamiliar to many American psychotherapists. In this intermediate-level course, Dr. Michael J. Gerson introduces key Lacanian concepts and considers how they may inform contemporary psychotherapy. The course explores Lacan’s ideas in relation to object relations theory, ego psychology, systems theory, psycholinguistics, and neuroscience, and concludes with applications to two clinical cases. Particular attention is given to making concepts often described as difficult or esoteric more accessible and clinically useful. The course consists of a PowerPoint video presentation by Dr. Gerson (1 hr. 15 min.) accompanied by a written transcript for optional review in multiple modalities. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the course for 4 CE credits. This course may be applied as an elective toward the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. $49.

Mindfulness Training: Body Scan Meditation and Informal Mindfulness Practices (2 CE Credits)

This online Mindfulness Training: Body Scan Meditation and Informal Mindfulness Practices course provides practical guidance for applying mindfulness in clinical work and personal practice. Topics include safe mindfulness training practices, use of a sample client intake form, body scan meditation, informal mindfulness practices, practice planning and record keeping, and strategies for addressing common difficulties that interfere with meditation. A 20-minute guided body scan audio exercise is also included. Course content is presented in both video and written formats. The written material is not a verbatim transcript, but either format provides the content needed to complete the course and pass the test; participants may use either or both according to their preferred learning modality. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the course for 2 CE credits. Introductory level. Suggested prerequisite: Mindfulness Training: Introduction, Attention, and the Present Moment. $29.

Mindfulness Training: Introduction, Attention, and the Present Moment (2 CE Credits)

Since entering mainstream Western medicine and psychology in the late 1970s, mindfulness has received extensive scholarly and clinical attention. Research has examined its applications to stress, emotional regulation, chronic pain, and a range of psychological and behavioral concerns. This Mindfulness Training: Introduction, Attention, and the Present Moment course provides psychologists and other mental health professionals with a foundation for understanding mindfulness, including its theoretical basis, research-supported benefits, and the central roles of attention and present-moment awareness. It is the first of two courses designed to prepare clinicians to understand and apply mindfulness principles in clinical practice. The course is presented by Dr. Marylie Gerson in both written and video formats and includes a one-hour PowerPoint video on attention and the present moment. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow the course for 2 CE credits. Introductory level. $29.

Modern Systems Thinking for Psychotherapy (2 CE Credits)

This online Modern Systems Thinking for Psychotherapy course examines systems concepts and their application to psychological treatment. Drawing on Gregory Bateson and related systems traditions, Dr. Michael J. Gerson explores how patterns, relationships, and context can offer an alternative to more linear ways of understanding behavior and psychological problems. Topics include general systems theory, cybernetics, information and communication theory, complexity theory, chaos theory, and principles of nonlinearity, with attention to their implications for psychotherapy and clinical work. The course is presented as a narrated PowerPoint video. Closed captions are available for participants who wish to use them. An online multiple-choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the course for 2 CE credits. Intermediate level. $29.

Online Courses

Courses

Online Continuing Education Courses for Psychologists and Mental Health Professionals

Explore Our Online Psychology Courses

Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Courses

Additional Clinical and Professional Topics

Course Summaries

Browse Courses by Learning Format

Audio Courses

Articles and Books

Video Courses

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