Becoming a Lacanian analyst, or undertaking scholarly formation, at the Lacanian School of Psychoanalysis is a matter for careful consideration.
Formation at the School is, before anything else, grounded in your experience of the unconscious in a personal analysis, as well as your readiness and your commitment to undertake a rigorous trajectory. There are symbolic milestones along the way, but the particular pathway you take is left open to your pace and your desire.
Two tracks
Analyst Formation is for those with a clinical background, holding or pursuing an advanced degree in psychology, psychiatry, counseling, or social work, and licensed or eligible to practice psychoanalysis under the law of their state or country. It is also open to academics with a terminal degree who are eligible to practice psychoanalysis.
Scholar Formation is for those who do not intend to practice as analysts but wish to study Lacanian psychoanalysis systematically. There is no requirement to be a mental-health professional or to hold a PhD. However, applicants should have been in Lacanian analysis for at least one year and demonstrate a serious interest in Freudian and Lacanian psychoanalysis.
What formation asks of you
Formation is a substantial commitment of time, work, and resources. Tuition is $2,500 annually for four years. Beyond tuition, candidates carry the cost of their own personal analysis and of control (supervisory) work, a minimum of four years of weekly meetings with one analyst, and an additional two years with a second analyst. For those without a prior clinical degree, control involves another two years with a third analyst. The School takes financial hardship into consideration; no one is turned away for lack of funds, and tuition assistance is available.
Before you apply
We strongly encourage prospective applicants to:
- Attend seminars for a year or two, to get a feel for the community and whether the School is a fit.
- Begin a personal Lacanian analysis before applying, so that you know from the inside what analysis asks of you.
How to apply
Applicants submit a résumé and a letter of intent and then meet with at least two analysts of the School for interviews. You can begin your application here on the site, or write to applications@lacanschool.org; general questions can go to admin@lacanschool.org.
Guidelines and founding texts
The formal guidelines and the texts that found this work are kept in the Documents archive:
- Analyst Formation Guidelines
- Scholar Formation Guidelines
- Scholar Formation Founding Text
- the School’s founding papers
Equity
The Lacanian School is committed to education and the formation of analysts without regard to age, ancestry, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status.