Cultivate a relational embodiment

of clinical theory and practice 

  • Do you feel your weariness and long for renewal and vitality?

  • Are you feeling isolated in your work and in need of intentional community?

  • Do you feel discouraged or disillusioned by your workplace ethos toward the power of relationship?

Our Relational Psychodynamic Therapy
post-graduate certificate program exists to teach the art of genuine encounter as it fosters belonging and vitality.

Our calling is to address the problems of isolation, alienation, and absence that so deeply impact humanity—an experience from which the person of the therapist is far from immune.

We invite you to risk, imagine, and commune with us as we engage in an experiential learning model designed to integrate the continued development of the therapist’s clinical application of relational theory and the enhancement of the therapist’s understanding and connection to this rich and robust branch of psychoanalytic theory.

Our core belief is that through authentic relationship we become more fully alive—and that when the self of the therapist is enlivened, the therapy enlivens, and that enlivens the client, who in turn enlivens their community.

RPT offers a vibrant community and a robust learning experience.

Deepen

RPT' will deepen your connection to the vitality of your own humanness through authentic, spirited community.

The program begins and ends with immersive retreats where you’ll lean into rich, intentional kinship with a layered learning community — colleagues in your cohort, clinicians in the second and third years of the programs, and mentors.

The energy of camaraderie is strong and playful. In a field that is so often isolating, RPT is a balm, a community of belonging.

Hone

RPT will hone your clinical skills and deepen your capacity to be relationally attuned and courageous with your clients.

We open every learning space with a case, which grounds us into specific and experiential practice, learning, and engagement. The humanness of the client and their lived experience invites our curiosity and imagination.

Our program offers a uniquely experiential model, designed to provide intimate circles for depth work and collaborative spaces for inspiration and skill building.

You’ll experience:

  • Bi-weekly clinical consultation groups where you’ll bring cases, offer perspective, and hone your clinical mind in community

  • Bi-monthly all-cohort meetings where you’ll participate in case presentations in dialogue with Dr. Roy Barsness, our seasoned clinical team, and your colleagues

  • Online seminars from experts in the field delving deeper into the relational perspective 

  • Required and recommended readings both from program material and from diverse voices from the margins. 

  • I'm grateful for the ways [this program] is awakening me to my clients in new ways. In my dreams, in my random thoughts, in the moments where I had previously felt embarrassed by being exhausted in a session, I now feel curious. It's a welcomed breath of fresh air.

    Jeremy Dew, LPC

  • “We hold to an understanding that we are conceived in relationship, formed in relationship, harmed in relationship, and transformed through relationship.

    Dr. Roy Barsness

  • I really like this style of consultation and am finding it really profitable. I am enjoying the work more, I am working smarter not harder, paying more attention to myself and the space in between me and my clients. I am taking more risks in what I say, trusting that the client knows more about themselves than I ever will!

    Mandy Casuarella, LPC

Our Frame

Cohort Model

RPT’s two-year design is intentional: we believe embodied learning is relational, and that time and space to integrate is necessary. Each year of the program is 9 months. Cohorts begin in September and conclude in May.

After the completion of your second year you will receive a post-graduate certificate in Relational Psychodynamic Therapy. You will also have the opportunity to pursue a third year of advanced training, geared toward developing you as a consultant/trainer.

Immersive Retreats

The heart of this program is community. This isn’t another training. We begin and end each year with a rich, intimate, immersive retreat.

Through these gatherings you will experience:

  • Connection, community, and collaboration

  • Robust case consultation in layered learning spaces (all years of program) and intimate consultation spaces (subgroups of 3-5 members of your cohort)

  • Reflective learning in dialogue with Dr. Roy Barsness and other seasoned clinicians/trainers

  • Delicious, spacious meals with hearty conversation

  • Space for rest, reflection, and play

We intentionally choose retreat spaces that are also enlivening. Your program fee covers the full cost of the retreat including: instructor fees, group spaces, room and board, meals, and materials. All participants will have their own room.

Clinical Consultation

Working with cases is at the core of our experiential model. Rather than offering instruction from a top down model, we begin with a client and allow their experience to expand our minds.

At the fall retreat, you will have the opportunity to meet your clinical consultation group of 3-5 fellow colleagues and your consultant, a seasoned clinician who has received supervision and mentorship from Dr. Barsness over many years. Together you will gather bi-weekly for 16, 100-minute clinical consultation sessions.

You will forge relationships and through collaboration and vulnerability you will grow as people and as clinicians. Through presenting cases and listening to cases you will receive skilled consultation, mentorship, and community to deepen your capacity as a clinician and enliven your work with clients.

Clinical Consultation groups meet virtually so you can join from the comfort of your home or office no matter where you are based! Exact timing for group meetings will be determined by the availability of the consultant and group members.

All-Cohort Meetings

Every other month, you will gather virtually with the full RPT community: Dr. Roy Barness, the clinicians/trainers, year 1, 2, and 3 cohort members. These gatherings will begin with engaging a case, deepen learning through dialogue and Q&A time, and strengthen community ties among consultation groups and between retreats.

Learning Materials

You will receive a copy of Core Competencies of Relational Psychoanalysis: A Guide to Practice, Study, and Research by Dr. Roy Barsness and access to our RPT-exclusive library of articles and resources to support your learning and development.

Continuing Education Units & Certification

At the completion of each year of the program participants will have earned 72 continuing education units (including 6 ethics units) - 32 through clinical consultation groups, 8 through all cohort learning gatherings, and 32 through two immersive retreats.

Program Fees

Tuition for the 2024-25 RPT Certificate in Clinical Skills cohort is $6,850 per year. All participants must provide an initial deposit of $550 to enroll upon acceptance into the program. Following this deposit, participants will have the option to divide their fee into 10 monthly installments of $650 over the course of the program.

Program fees include all of the offerings outlined above, including CEUs and retreat accommodations and meals. Costs related to travel to and from the retreats are the responsibility of the participants. All costs associated with completing this program can be considered business expenses.

Develop your greatest clinical tool — your authentic presence.

Join our
next cohort

  • Participants must:

    Hold a post-graduate degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field

    Hold an active professional license

    Have either previously or currently participated in psychotherapy, preferably from a relational psychodynamic/analytic perspective

    Have at least 5 years of experience in clinical practice

    *Waivers are available for associate level licenses with a minimum of 3-5 years of experience. Please contact connect@psychodynamicinstitute.com directly if you do not meet any of the above requirements.

  • We are considering applications for next cohort, beginning August 2024.

    May 15 — Application Deadline

    After June 1st — Notification of Decisions

    July 1 — Seat Deposits Due

  • To apply for candidacy please provide the following:

    • Application Form (including the $50 application fee; fee is waived if attending an Informational Coffee Hour - dates are listed on the Events page)

    • Curriculum Vitae — outlines your professional experience, academic background, organizational affiliations, continuing education and specializations, creative endeavors, and any research, publications, and/or presentations you’ve been a part of.

    • Professional Letter of Recommendation — offers insight into your character, integrity, and style of relating.

    • Virtual Meeting with one of the RPT Trainers

    • Essay/Statement of Purpose — provides an opportunity for us to get to know you and your clinical work, and discern your alignment with our community and this program.

    Essay Prompt

    • What drew you to psychotherapy?

    • How does relationship inform your theory of change?

    • What do you hope to receive and develop through this community and learning program?

    The essay must be typed, double spaced, and 400-600 words in length (approximately 2 pages).

    All supporting documents must be saved as PDF files with your name in the title and emailed to connect@psychodynamicinstitute.com

    We ask that you have your reference email their letter of recommendation to us directly.

  • We seek to embody a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our community.

    We receive applications without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, age, ability, sex, sexuality identity, relationship status, or religion. All are welcome.