PPSC’s One Year Training Program in
Child and Adolescent Therapy
PPSC offers a one-year certificate program in Child and Adolescent Therapy (including work with parents). The program offers 48 CE credits for NYS LCSWs, LMSWs, LPs, LMHCs, LCATs, LMFTs, and licensed psychologists at the completion of the program. Both agency and private practice clinicians at all stages of professional development are eligible for this training.
Please note: Applications have closed for the 2024-25 academic year. We hope you’ll consider us in 2025-26!
The Child and Adolescent Therapy 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.
The Child and Adolescent Therapy Program is divided into three parts, with each section drawing upon concepts presented in earlier sessions:
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.
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?
The training program will take place over 3 trimesters (each trimester's tuition is $650), meeting once a week in the evening for two hours. It will be held remotely on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 PM.
To apply please submit this application along with your CV and 2 letters of reference to Ruth Wyatt (ruthwyattlcsw@gmail.com) and Sue Sherman (drshermsusan@aol.com) no later than August 15, 2025. In addition, please submit a $50 application fee via Zelle to ppsc@ppsc.org.
Master’s level applicants or applicants currently enrolled in a post-graduate program are prioritized.
PPSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, national or ethnic origin, disability or analytic orientation in the administration of its admissions and education policies.