Two-year training in Transference-Focused Psychotherapy 2026-2028

Description

Transference-Focused Psychotherapy is an evidenced-based treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder that can also be applied to Narcissistic and other Personality Disorders as well as to the full range of personality pathology. Therapists have found it effective in challenging cases that have not responded to more general forms of therapy.

The Columbia Psychoanalytic Center is accepting applications for foundational training in Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) to begin in September, 2026. The 2- year course will take place over 34 weeks for each of the years, with each class consisting of 90 minutes covering the full range of introductory TFP didactics, including:

• TFP’s underlying object-relations model of personality health and pathology;
• The assessment of personality across the spectrum of health and pathology;
• Establishing the treatment frame and contract in TFP;
• The fundamental techniques of TFP (i.e., the interpretive model);
• Conceptualizing and working with narcissistic pathology; and
• The application of all of the above to the trainees’ ongoing cases.

The classes will be accompanied by readings that track topics under discussion, and will be enriched by the detailed presentation of case material from the instructors’ work with borderline and narcissistic patients. As the course advances, trainees will have the opportunity to present cases from their own work, thus further enhancing the trainees’ understanding of and ability to apply TFP.

Modalities

The educational program consists of 32 weekly online seminars, running September through June of each academic year.  Courses are co-sponsored by the Columbia Psychoanalytic Center and TFP New York.

For 2026-27, we are offering four different training opportunities (please note that instructors are subject to change). 

Drs. Hersh and McCommon

First year videoconference seminar held on Mondays from 1:00-2:30 p.m. EST

Drs. Yeomans, Fertuck, and Colibazzi

First year videoconference seminar held on Thursdays from 1:00-2:30 p.m. EST

Drs. Stern, Cherkasskaya, and Sheppe

Second year videoconference seminar held Mondays from 5:00-6:30 p.m. EST

Drs. Caligor, Stern, and Bird

Second year videoconference seminar held Thursdays from 10:00-11:30 a.m. EST

Faculty

Organizers: Eve Caligor, Barry Stern, Frank Yeomans

Teachers:

Eve Caligor, MD
Frank Yeomans, MD, PhD
Barry Stern, PhD
Joanna Bird, MD
Eugenia Cherkasskaya, PhD
Tiziano Colibazzi, MD
Eric Fertuck, PhD
Richard G. Hersh, MD
Benjamin McCommon, MD
Alexander Sheppe, MD

Contact

You may also contact Dr. Barry L. Stern ([email protected]), Dr. Eve Caligor ([email protected]), or Dr. Frank Yeomans ([email protected]) for further information.  Applications are due May 1, 2026.

Practical details and the application form are available at this website.

Registration

The training will be open to licensed Psychiatrists, PhDs, PsyDs, and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW).

We are now accepting applications to the Transference-Focused Psychotherapy Program for the academic year beginning September 2026. Please click the button below to begin the application process. Applications are due May 1, 2026.

Transference-Focused Psychotherapy Program Application Form:

• The form will require you to upload a digital photo, your CV, your current license, and proof of liability insurance, so please make sure that you have these documents available before you begin.
• You will also want to make sure that you request letters from two different recommenders, whom you name in the application form, be sent directly to [email protected](link sends e-mail). If you are currently in training or have completed training within the past five years, we also request a letter from your training director.
• Please pay your nonrefundable $150 application fee using our secure payment form.
• The deadline for submitting application materials is May 1st 2026. We will make final decisions about acceptance by the end of May 2026.

The tuition for those enrolling in the first year of the program in the 2026-27 academic year is $4,870, which is payable in two instalments at the beginning of each term. Tuition increases at an incremental rate annually. Additionally, Columbia University charges a one-time document fee of $105 and a per-term technology fee of $232.

In addition to the professional growth, collegiality, and intellectual enrichment our program provides, it offers participants many of the benefits afforded to Columbia University students, including online access to the university’s libraries and the ability to enroll in Columbia Student Health Insurance. Graduates earn a Certification of Professional Achievement from Columbia University and may claim a maximum of 30 continuing education credits (see below).

All students are eligible to enroll in Columbia Student Health Insurance for an additional fee. For details, please click here.

Tuition and fees listed here and elsewhere throughout this website are subject to change without prior notice. 

Please review the Refund and Cancellation Policy.

REGISTRATION