Clinical Training

Critical Therapy combines modern psychoanalytic techniques with the theory and practice of liberation psychology and critical pedagogy to pursue empowerment, liberation, and healing.

From Freud and psychoanalysis, critical therapy uses important techniques such as: transference, dream analysis, and analyzing the resistances to understand family relationships and inter-generational patterns and feelings. From liberation psychology and critical pedagogy, critical therapy brings a commitment to social justice and an analysis of power relations in therapy, life, and society as refracted, for example, through categories of race, gender, class, and religion.

In critical therapy, the relationship between the therapist and the patient is one of partnership and collaboration, with a deep analysis of power. Power is at the core of critical therapy, from both an interpersonal perspective and in terms of societal structures. Both therapist and patient analyze the world, not only through personal conflicts and feelings, but also through positions within society and relations to power. This analysis extends to the therapeutic relationship.

CTI offers a four-year program that combines instruction and experiential learning with direct clinical work. We deeply believe that the formation of a critical therapist involves much more than technical teachings or an intellectual process of learning; it also requires the therapist to explore their own personal experiences and be open to transformation.

The training program consists of classes, coursework, and clinical supervision; as well as individual psychotherapy with a Critical Therapist and a practicum which starts in the Summer Semester. Classes are conducted in a small group setting, providing each candidate unique attention and support. We foster an atmosphere of collaboration combined with intellectual curiosity, to enable deep conversations on power. The curriculum is designed to develop critical self-reflection of one’s own place in society. Each class will have several required readings, and typically one student will prepare a case presentation applying the readings to their practice.

CTI is a four-year training program. Classes meet two times per month (i.e., every other week) in the evenings for two hours during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. This schedule is meant to increase accessibility for students who work full- or part-time, care take, and/or have other personal responsibilities. Students will schedule separate times to meet with their clinical supervisor.

Here is the breakdown of class hours:

• Fall Semester – 8 weeks x 2 hours = 16 hours
• Spring Semester – 8 weeks x 2 hours = 16 hours
• Summer Mini – 4 weeks x 2 hours = 8 hours

Yes, students are assigned a Critical Therapy clinical supervisor and are required to meet for weekly individual supervision. Clinical supervision is highly relational, focusing on countertransference and the parallel process. For the first year of training, the cost of supervision is included in the overall program tuition, with no additional fees. After the first year, supervision costs are separate from program tuition, since the number of supervision hours will be based on individual patient caseloads. CTI’s supervised clinical work and supervision hours can also be counted toward LCSW requirements. 

Students will have the opportunity to start working with patients in the Summer semester of the first year. Patient referrals are reviewed and assigned in collaboration with clinical supervisors; and students will be required to work with patients from a range of income levels. We believe that quality mental health services, including psychotherapy, should not be dictated by the market. Therefore, patient fees are based on a sliding scale fee model that considers a patient’s income and access to resources.

Students keep 100% of patient fees. This is intentional so that students’ work is paid in full and they have a chance to offset the costs of the training program through.

Yes, CTI students are required to be in therapy. We strongly suggest that you see a Critical Therapy clinician, yet we are aware that some students might already be in therapy by the time they join the training program. For those students who have a current therapist, we require that you see a Critical Therapist at some point before you complete the four-year training program. 

CTI uses a sliding fee scale model to determine tuition and training fees; this means that what each student pays is based on their income and access to resources. The average cost for the first year of training is $7,300. Each subsequent year of training (years 2-4) will cost an average of $4000. And the combined average cost for all four years of training is $20,000; again, this total will be determined based on the students’ individual income and resources.

Degree/License: LCSW, LMSW (or MSW in process of licensure by end of first year), LMHC, LMFT, Psych PhD, Psychiatry, Psychiatric Nurse.

Work Experience: preferred at least two years work experience working with people (in addition to grad school field placement), priority to those who’ve worked in an agency and/or have lived experience being impacted by oppressive systems.

Interested applicants please complete this application form by May 3rd, 2024.

Potential candidates will be called for a phone screening. If considered for the program, they will be invited for an individual interview with a current student. A final interview with our president will also be conducted before admittance to the program. The new cohort will be confirmed by June 14, 2024.

We will be hosting a virtual information session on April 4th, 2024 at 6:30pm for anyone interested in learning more and asking questions. Sign-up here if you would like to attend and you will receive the Zoom link to join. The event will not be recorded.