Supervisory Training Program

Roberta Ann Shechter, D.S.W., Chair

Effective supervision is crucial to the integration of theoretical knowledge, clinical experience, and personal analysis; it is necessary to aid analysts in working through blocks in understanding patients and sometimes themselves. Successful supervision promotes the growth of the supervisor in his/her new identity as a teacher and evaluator of students and contributes to the student’s integration of a professional identity as a psychoanalyst and psychoanalytic psychotherapist. The existence of increasing numbers of therapeutic approaches and techniques make it all the more important that supervisors be well-grounded in the basic principles and techniques of supervision.

Washington Square Institute offers an opportunity to develop and deepen supervisory skills in a one-year program. Supervisors-in-training gain practicum experience by supervising beginning psychotherapists at Washington Square Institute or through their own present roster of supervisees. The supervisory work is discussed in a year-long supervision group. In addition, there are ongoing reading assignments on the theoretical issues in supervision.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must be licensed in one of the licensed mental health professions, and have a certificate of having completed training at an analytic institute. Selected individuals who are now functioning as supervisors of psychotherapy in established therapeutic facilities will also be considered. There is an application fee of $30.00.

Training Requirements

The Washington Square Institute Supervisory Program consists of a practicum and two year-long seminars, all of which can be completed in one year. Upon satisfactory completion of the requirements, a certificate indicating advanced specialty training in supervision will be provided to licensed mental health practitioners.

Registration, Fees, and Transcripts

The final date of registration for the Fall term is 2nd week in September. Late registration will be considered if there is room in the program and upon payment of a late registration fee of $10.00. There is a registration fee of $30.00 per semester, which includes a subscription to the semiannual Issues in Psychoanalytic Psychology. The fee for the program is $700.00 per year for graduates of Washington Square Institute; for all others it is $800.00 per year. Fees must be paid in full at the time of registration. If withdrawal from the program is necessary, fees will be refunded as follows: 100% before the first class meeting; 75% after the first week of classes, 50% after the second week, and 25% after the third class meeting. No refunds will be made thereafter. The application and registration fees are not refundable. Transcripts are available from the Registrar upon written request and the payment of a handling fee of $25.00.

Description of Courses

Principles and Techniques of Supervision I and II Courses 601 through 604

A 30-week, 2-semester seminar that integrates extensive theoretical readings with the practice of psychoanalytic supervision. Literature includes Fleming and Benedek, Ekstein and Wallerstein, DeWald, Arlow, Epstein and others. Each student is required to supervise at least one therapist drawn from the staff of Washington Square Institute or his/her private practice. Class discussion focuses on the underlying dynamics of ongoing student supervisory process recordings.

Fall and Spring, Wednesday, 1:30-3:30pm
Instructor: Roberta Ann Shechter, D.S.W.

For further information, please contact, Registrar, Washington Square Institute, 212 477-2600 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it