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THE BASIC TRAINING APPLICATION PERIOD FOR 2027-2028 IS NOW OPEN.​

For further details about accessing the application form, CLICK THE LINK ABOVE to scroll down to the links.

The Journey of a CAPA Applicant 

​To watch a short video describing the application process CLICK THE LINK ABOVE.

BASIC TRAINING

Basic Training At A Glance

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  • Two-year psychodynamic psychotherapy training program

  • 30 weeks per year / 3.75 hours per week

  • Each week: Theory Class, Technique Class, and Continuous Case Conference 

  • Individual Supervision: one 45-60 minute session/week for 30 weeks/year 

  • All training employs distance modalities, usually Zoom 

  • Downloadable reading lists: PDFs and PEPWeb 

  • All students receive access to PEPWeb 

  • Optional personal treatment via CAPA’s Treatment Program 

  • CAPA Graduation Certificate ​

CAPA's 2-year Basic Training Program students attend Theory, Technique, and Continuous Case Seminar courses for 1.25 hours per week each, for a total of 3.75 hours of weekly class time. Coursework includes weekly reading assignments, lectures, full class discussions, seminar style discussions, and written homework assignments. Simultaneously, trainees participate in at least 30 sessions of individual supervision each training year. Individual supervision enhances the classroom learning experience, deepens students’ work with patients, and prepares students to submit the psychodynamic case formulation for graduation. It is recommended that trainees contribute to their CAPA experience with optional personal treatment, embracing the full training experience. Students may apply to be matched with a personal treater for psychotherapy (1-2x weekly) or psychoanalysis (3-4x weekly) through CAPA's optional Treatment Program, at an additional cost.  

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Each year, CAPA invites 40 applicants to the Basic Training Program, although the size of the class may vary slightly from year to year under special circumstances.  

 

CAPA's mission is to train the leaders of the next generation of Chinese psychodynamic psychotherapists. To this end, only people who will reside full-time in China throughout their training and who are planning to work in China throughout their careers are eligible to apply for CAPA Training. 

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Basic Training Goals and Learning Outcomes

 

Participants in the program will: 

 

  • Develop a strong foundation in psychodynamic psychotherapy concepts through courses in Theory, Technique and Continuous Case Seminar, delivered by highly qualified faculty from around the world.  

  • Apply theories and techniques learned in coursework to real-time work with patients. 

  • Deepen their clinical skills through weekly individual supervision and experience the benefits of the long-term supervisory dyad.  

  • Have the opportunity to engage in optional personal treatment (psychotherapy or psychoanalysis) to further their personal and professional growth. 

  • Enhance their ability to help clients better understand themselves, their conscious and unconscious processes, and change their maladaptive behavioral patterns in their lives by making more satisfying and productive choices. 

 

 

Basic Training Course Outline

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Along with the dynamic Continuous Case Seminar course, CAPA’s Theory and Technique courses provide a strong foundation in the topics below:  

Year 1

Theory

Introduction to Theory: Four Psychologies 

Development: Four Psychologies 

Defenses: Four Psychologies

Technique

Getting started: Evaluation Assessment, Contract 

Beginning Psychotherapy 

Resistance, Transference, Countertransference

Year 2

Theory

Psychopathology 

Ego Psychology through Relational Model 

Gender, Sexuality, & Addictions 

Technique

Treating Various Psychologies 

Working Through 

Termination 

Admission Criteria and Prerequisites for Basic Training

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English: Applicants must be able to read up to 120 pages in English each week, converse in English at a professional level, and write in English without help from AI. CAPA will screen and assess each applicant's receptive and expressive English language skills.

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Whenever possible, CAPA encourages applicants to submit a TOEFL score, but it is

NOT REQUIRED. Only scores from a TOEFL test taken in person at a test center

qualify; scores from the TOEFL iBT Home Edition taken at home do not. If you have

taken the TOEFL exam within the last 2 years, please have ETS send your scores

directly to CAPA using the designated institute code: G506 - China American

Psychoanalytic Alliance.

 

Prior Experience: Applicants must have significant professional clinical experience with clients/patients prior to submitting their application. This experience must include individual psychotherapy, preferably with some clients/patients treated:

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  • long-term

  • twice a week or more

  • in the following settings, listed in order of preference: university health/counseling centers, hospital outpatient departments, private psychological service agencies, private practice, EAP services.

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Prior Education: Applicants must have a bachelor's degree. A master's or doctoral degree in counseling or a related area of psychology, or with a medical degree, is preferred, but not required.

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Access to Long-Term Patients: Applicants must have access to adult clients/patients who can be treated long-term (preferably for a year or two), at a frequency of at least once a week and preferably twice a week or more.

THE BASIC TRAINING APPLICATION PERIOD

FOR 2027-2028 IS NOW OPEN!

TO APPLY FOR THE 2027-28 BASIC TRAINING PROGRAM, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS:

 

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Once you are signed in, the link to the application form will appear on your dashboard AFTER November 2, 2026 at 9:00AM Eastern (NYC) time.​

THE BASIC TRAINING APPLICATION WILL CLOSE ON

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2027 at 9:00AM Eastern (NYC) time

2027-28 Year 1 Tuition Costs:

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  • $4,390 USD - to be paid to CAPA

  • $50/session for Supervision (A minimum of 30 supervision sessions per academic year are required, totaling $1,500 USD) - to be paid directly to your assigned CAPA supervisor.

  • Total costs for 2027-28 Year 1 are: $4,390+$1,500 = $5,890 USD 

(Tuition payments are final, and tuition and supervision fees are subject to change.)

The Journey of a CAPA Applicant 

​CLICK VIDEO to watch a short video describing the application process.
Journey of a CAPA Applicant
Applications Open Nov.2, 2026
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