Psychodynamic Research Mentorship Program

The Riggs Difference: Where Understanding Leads to Recovery

A collaboration between the Erikson Institute of the Austen Riggs Center and the Yale Child Study Center for emerging and established scholars interested in conceptual, clinical, or other research from a psychodynamic perspective.

Virtual Open House Date: Friday, February 6, 5:00-6:00 p.m. (Eastern) - Registration Coming Soon

The Psychodynamic Research Mentorship Program (PRMP) is a collaboration between the Erikson Institute of the Austen Riggs Center and the Yale Child Study Center that is designed to foster the growth and development of emerging and established scholars interested in conceptual, clinical, or other research from a psychodynamic perspective. This program connects mentees with experienced mentors who are experts in psychodynamic theory, research methods, and clinical applications. Through structured one-on-one sessions and group discussions, the mentorship provides a supportive environment for exploring key areas such as unconscious processes, human development, psychopathology, treatment process and outcome, and other biopsychosocial areas of interest.

Participants will engage in:

Research Design and Methodology: Learn how to formulate and refine research questions, design studies that explore psychodynamic concepts, and utilize appropriate qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods.
Data Analysis and Interpretation: Receive guidance on analyzing complex psychodynamic phenomena, including case studies, narrative analysis, and integrating psychodynamic theory with empirical findings.
Scholarly Writing and Publication: Work with mentors to enhance academic writing skills, prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, and navigate the publication process in the psychodynamic research community.
Career Development: Develop skills for academic and professional advancement, including grant writing, conference presentations, and building a research network.

The PRMP program is open to graduate students, early-career researchers, and established professionals seeking to deepen their expertise. Meetings are conducted online, offering flexible scheduling and allowing for international participation. This mentorship program fosters intellectual growth, critical thinking, and the advancement of psychodynamic research.

Faculty Alumni

2026 Faculty TBD

Program Structure

PRMP Kick Off Event (June 13, 2026): During this period attendees will present their projects and receive feedback, first from the primary mentors assigned to review the project in-depth and then from the broader group of other attendees and mentors.
Mid-year Meeting (September 19, 2026): This meeting will occur with the entire attendee group and a subgroup of mentors, and will be an opportunity to provide updates on projects and receive feedback/support. Depending on group interest, additional meetings may be scheduled with the program coordinators to address interests such as grant writing, manuscript preparation, or other general research skills
Closing meeting December 5, 2026): During the final meeting of the program, attendees will present their projects and their progress over the course of the year.

Certificates of completion will be provided to all attendees who meet the two core requirements of the program, including (1) attending at least six individual 1-hr meetings with primary mentors over the course of the program, and (2) attendance and participation in all three virtual group events. Attendees who complete the program will have access to a virtual alumni platform offering ongoing networking opportunities and other professional and educational resources.

Timeline

Applications for program due Friday, March 13, 2026
Notification of acceptance sent by Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Virtual PRMP Kick-Off Session held Saturday, June 13, 2026

Monthly meetings with mentors TBD
Grant writing for Psychoanalytic Research course TBD
Mid-year group check-in session Saturday, September 19, 2026
Closing meeting and final group presentation: Saturday, December 5, 2026

How To Apply

Applications should include:

A brief CV
A 200-word abstract of the applicant’s research interests and goals
A description of the applicant’s current research involvement and the project the applicant plans to present at the meeting including details on the research plan and design (up to four pages)