One-Year Certificate Program
Child & Adolescent Therapy Program:
Level 1
The Level 1 Child & Adolescent Therapy Program is a one-year program for those interested in deepening their understanding of child and adolescent development and clinical work with children, teens, and their parents.
You’ll learn a psychodynamic approach that draws on several theories and moves developmentally from pregnancy and infancy through adolescence. Each phase is taught by an expert in that stage of development.
1 Year Program
Wednesdays, 7–9 PM
Remote
48 CEs *
* CEs available to eligible participants
Program At a Glance
About the Program
Deepen your work with children, adolescents, and families.
The Child and Adolescent Therapy Level 1 Program curriculum reflects a multi-theoretical psychodynamic approach and follows a developmental sequence from infancy through adolescence with experts in different phases of child, adolescent, and parent treatment teaching each class.
We will discuss the developmental tasks and challenges posed by children and their families. The first hour will offer a presentation and exploration of each topic and the second hour will be devoted to a shared discussion of theoretical, clinical case and observational material by students and instructor.
Throughout the program our focus will be developing a knowledge and appreciation of the psychodynamic underpinnings of the developmental phases and how therapists can work most effectively with children, parents and other professionals.
What You’ll Study
The curriculum is organized developmentally, allowing each part of the program to build upon concepts introduced earlier in the year.
Early Childhood
We will discuss pregnancy, early infancy, toddlerhood, the pre-school child and consider issues including attachment, developmental milestones, and delays associated with weaning, sleep, separation.
The School-Age Child
This section will include topics such as social adaptation, opposition, depression, hyperactivity, identity and gender issues, adoption, and divorce.
Adolescence
Areas of focus will be identity, socialization, drugs and alcohol use, suicidality, school adjustment, and separation/ individuation.
"Through class discussions with fellow clinicians, lectures and facilitated class activities with distinguished practitioners in the field, and classic readings, I've achieved my goal of deeper acquaintance with developmental theory, and been exposed to many techniques and theories of child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy... I highly recommend this program."
-- Jamie, CATP graduate
How You’ll Learn
The training program will take place over 3 trimesters meeting remotely once a week in the evening for two hours. The first hour will offer a presentation and exploration of each topic and the second hour will be devoted to a shared discussion of theoretical, clinical case and observational material by students and instructor.
Throughout the curriculum we will consider the following questions to help participants expand their skills, competence, and creativity in their work as child therapists:
How is the therapeutic relationship a catalyst for change and growth?
How do the key concepts of transference, countertransference, and resistance inform our clinical interventions?
How is the balance between child, family, and work negotiated?
How can we remain aware of and address the tensions of race, culture, gender, and sexuality in our work?
How do we work with children and adolescents having special needs?
How do we understand and respond to issues relating to child abuse, neglect, and domestic violence?
Ready to Apply?
We welcome master's- and doctoral-level applicants who want to strengthen their understanding and work with children, adolescents, and parents. Applicants without these credentials who bring relevant experience, a strong interest in the field, or a demonstrated commitment to this work are also encouraged to apply.
Please submit the following to Ruth Wyatt (ruthwyattlcsw@gmail.com) and Sue Sherman (drshermsusan@aol.com) via email no later than August 15, 2026:
Completed Application (download form below)
Your CV
2 letters of reference
Please also submit a $50 application fee via Zelle to ppsc@ppsc.org.
PPSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, national/ethnic origin, or analytic orientation in the administration of its admissions and education policies.
