Online IOP for College Students and Emerging Adults in MA
Annual Austen Riggs Award for Excellence in Psychotherapy
Program Directors of Psychiatry Residency Programs are invited to nominate and submit ONE current resident or fellow at any level of training.
Training and research are core elements of the Austen Riggs Center and are offered through its Erikson Institute for Education, Research, and Advocacy. This Austen Riggs Award for Excellence in Psychotherapy recognizes and supports the development of psychiatric residents who have demonstrated interest and ability in psychodynamic psychotherapy and/or psychodynamic psychiatry or have shown promise as researchers in biopsychosocial approaches to psychiatric practice, including psychotherapy.
We will be accepting nominations for the 2025 prize after July 1, 2025. The end date for completed nominations is September 30, with an announcement date by October 30.
The application process for the Award for Excellence in Psychotherapy is simple:
To nominate a resident or Fellow for consideration, Program Directors should:
By September 30, 2025, submit the nomination materials outlined below using the online submission form.
- A nomination letter written by the PD or Director of Psychotherapy Training (300 words) for ONE psychiatry Resident or Fellow describing the nominee’s qualifications, including:
- a description of clinical abilities,
- personal characteristics contributing to clinical excellence, and,
- where applicable, teaching, research, or other accomplishments relevant to the practice of psychodynamic psychiatry or psychodynamic psychotherapy.
- The nominee’s Curriculum Vitae
- A brief essay written by the nominee (400 words maximum) outlining their interest in psychodynamic psychiatry.
Nominees will be assessed on a number of dimensions, including:
- Interest in psychotherapy
- Psychological-mindedness / Aptitude for psychotherapy
- Initiative in pursuing psychotherapeutic opportunities
- Initiative in teaching/researching psychotherapeutic approaches in psychiatry
- Idealism / Professionalism
- Quality of the personal statement (thoughtfulness, creativity, ability to express self in writing)
- Likelihood of contributing to the field
- Overcoming of obstacles to psychotherapy (e.g., in a low-resource environment)
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact: David Mintz, MD, Director of Psychiatric Education 413.931.5315 or david.mintz@austenriggs.net.
Attachments are accepted through our DropBox link. If your organization blocks DropBox, you may email your attachments to info@austenriggs.net and include the nominee's name in the subject line.
Past Award Recipients
News
Riggs Announces 2024 Award for Excellence in Psychotherapy Recipients
January 24, 2025
Now in its 6th year, this prestigious annual award highlights and supports outstanding psychiatric residents who have demonstrated a strong interest and talent in psychodynamic psychotherapy or psychiatry.
News
2023 Excellence in Psychotherapy Award Winners Announced
November 16, 2023
The annual award, now in its 5th year, recognizes and supports the development of psychiatric residents who have demonstrated interest and ability in psychodynamic psychotherapy and/or psychodynamic psychiatry or have shown promise as researchers in biopsychosocial approaches to psychiatric practice, including psychotherapy.
News