Clinical Strands of Work
All of the programs at MICPP draw heavily upon two strands of clinical work, which we think blend together very well.
Attachment Research and Theory
In the first strand, we draw on the evidence based work of infant development and attachment research. We utilize information that has been gathered from several prospective, longitudinal studies, such as those conducted by Dr. Alan Sroufe at the Institute for Child Development (University of Minnesota), Dr. Karlen Lyons-Ruth at Harvard, and the groundbreaking work of Dr. Mary Main. Dr. Arietta Slade has been influential in the development of our curriculum, providing input from her work with infants and mothers to her work with adults. These studies help us to understand the development of the person and give us a beginning point to grasp how to best initiate clinical treatment.
Contemporary Psychoanalytic Theory
Understanding that development so clearly occurs within a relational context has led us to our second strand of clinical input, that of empirically supported modern psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Utilizing the lens of Contemporary Self Psychology we teach how to both discern in detail the developments experienced by individuals and also how to empathically attune to them in order to facilitate growth and change.
What You’re Taught
Students will set out to diminish the impact of troublesome organizational patterns, and to establish new ways of relating to self, to others, and to the self with others.
Models of Development
Students are taught to recognize the inner working models of development, how these have come to be organized into patterns of relating and developing expectations of life, and then working from a non-linear dynamic systems theory to utilize themselves as the therapist to form a working alliance with the patient. Collaboratively utilizing this new relational experience, the students set out to diminish the impact of troublesome organizational patterns and to establish new ways of relating to self, to others, and to the self with others.
Research and Application
These concepts are formatted into two strands: one being the exploration of the literature on development and treatment (didactic and discussion) and the clinical application of these principles to actual clinical situations (application of principles). Classes are conducted on Friday afternoons in back to back format. Students are asked to bring clinical case examples from their work to utilize as teaching and consultative tools to assist in integrating concepts taught in the didactic portion of the program.
Students tend to undergo their own transformation as they become facilitators of change for their patients/clients.