Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Arnold “Arnie” Tobin, a longtime faculty member, training and supervising...
03/09/2026

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Arnold “Arnie” Tobin, a longtime faculty member, training and supervising analyst, and beloved teacher at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute.

Arnie represented a generation of psychoanalysts who helped build and sustain CPI through decades of dedication to teaching, clinical work, and the advancement of psychoanalytic thought. Known for his intellectual rigor and deep commitment to classical theory, he inspired countless students, colleagues, and clinicians.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Eva Lichtenberg, former Chair of the CPI Board, and to his family and loved ones.

May his memory be a blessing.

Please share any memories in the comments.

Today, we celebrate the women who shape the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute every day. From clinicians and faculty to s...
03/08/2026

Today, we celebrate the women who shape the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute every day. From clinicians and faculty to staff, board members, and leaders, their insight, care, and dedication sustain the work of understanding the mind and supporting our community. These are just a few of the amazing women who make up CPI!

On National Women’s Day, we recognize the strength, wisdom, and compassion these women bring to CPI and to the countless individuals and families they serve. We are grateful for their leadership, their voices, and the powerful impact they make within our institute and beyond.

Thank you to the women who continue to guide, teach, heal, and inspire. 💙

Employee Appreciation DayToday we celebrate our staff and therapists whose care, commitment, and behind the scenes work ...
03/06/2026

Employee Appreciation Day

Today we celebrate our staff and therapists whose care, commitment, and behind the scenes work make everything we do possible. Your presence, thoughtfulness, and dedication support our community every day, whether in the therapy room or beyond it.

We are deeply grateful for each of you and the care you bring to this work. 💙

In loving memory of Dr. James Edward Wilson (1938–2026). Jim was a valued member of our faculty for many decades and was...
02/18/2026

In loving memory of Dr. James Edward Wilson (1938–2026). Jim was a valued member of our faculty for many decades and was especially known for his Technique course, where he thoughtfully summarized the major historical contributions to psychoanalytic technique for generations of students. We will deeply miss his quiet humor, steady presence, and exemplary dedication to clinical excellence and teaching. Our hearts are with his family during this time of loss.

Happy Lunar New Year and welcome to the Year of the Horse 🧧🐎The Horse symbolizes energy, perseverance, independence, and...
02/17/2026

Happy Lunar New Year and welcome to the Year of the Horse 🧧🐎

The Horse symbolizes energy, perseverance, independence, and thoughtful forward movement. In many ways, these qualities mirror the journey of psychoanalytic training. It takes stamina to sit with complexity, courage to explore the unknown, and deep attunement to truly listen and learn.

We are so grateful for our Chinese students and scholars who bring insight, dedication, and rich cultural perspective to CPI. May this year bring renewed strength, meaningful growth, and continued curiosity as we move forward together.

Join us for our CPI Open House 2026 and discover what makes psychoanalytic training at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Instit...
02/16/2026

Join us for our CPI Open House 2026 and discover what makes psychoanalytic training at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute so unique!

Meet faculty. Connect with current students. Learn about our programs. Ask questions about the application process. Explore how psychoanalytic thinking can deepen your clinical work and professional growth.

Whether you are just beginning to explore training or ready to take the next step, we would love to meet you!

When: February 27, 2026 from 4:30 to 6:00 PM
Where: 8 S Michigan Ave, Suite 700 Chicago, IL 60603

Register through the link in our bio and come see what is possible.

Bagels that give back 🥯🧠Join us at Chicago Bagel Fest on Saturday, March 7th from 10am to 2pm in Wrigleyville for bagel ...
02/02/2026

Bagels that give back 🥯🧠

Join us at Chicago Bagel Fest on Saturday, March 7th from 10am to 2pm in Wrigleyville for bagel tastings from Chicago’s best bakeries, live acoustic music, photo ops, giveaways, and more.

When you buy your ticket using our code CPI, you get 5% off AND $5 from each ticket directly supports the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute. Funds raised help support accessible mental health care, clinical training, and programs like the Barr Harris Children and Family Grief Center.

Grab your ticket through the link in our bio or purchase directly here and use code CPI at checkout

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-bagel-fest-bagel-tastings-live-acoustic-music-photo-ops-more-tickets-1704424422329

Eat bagels. Support mental health. Everybody wins!

Honoring Black psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic thinkers whose work expanded the field, challenged institutions, and de...
02/01/2026

Honoring Black psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic thinkers whose work expanded the field, challenged institutions, and deepened our understanding of race, trauma, and the inner world.

Their contributions continue to shape how we think, train, and practice today.

Swipe to learn more. Save to revisit. Share to amplify.

Today we recognize International Education Day and the power of education to connect people across cultures, generations...
01/24/2026

Today we recognize International Education Day and the power of education to connect people across cultures, generations, and lived experiences. At CPI, education is central to how we train clinicians, support lifelong learning, and deepen understanding of the human mind.

If you are interested in learning more about our education programs, we invite you to join one of our upcoming Education Program Open House events. Virtual open houses will be held February 3 and 5, 2026, with an in-person event on February 27, 2026.

📚🌍

Happy Birthday to Our Founder, Franz Alexander!Today marks the anniversary of the birth of Franz Alexander, the Hungaria...
01/22/2026

Happy Birthday to Our Founder, Franz Alexander!

Today marks the anniversary of the birth of Franz Alexander, the Hungarian-American psychoanalyst who found the Institute in 1932. Alexander was born 135 years ago today in Budapest. He is pictured here with British analyst John Bowlby, as well as fellow Institute analysts Gerhard and Maria Piers. Gerhard Piers would succeed Alexander as Institute director.

In her latest book, Alexander’s granddaughter, Ilonka Alexander, shares the most recent findings of her ongoing research into the life and work of her grandfather. Franz Alexander often seems like a towering and imposing figure in the psychoanalytic world, working tirelessly to promote the discipline.

By contrast, the man portrayed in The Lost Legacy of Franz Alexander is often quite unsure of the value of the contributions he has made, and wonders whether he has lived up to the example set by his father, philosophy professor Dr. Bernard Alexander.

Ilonka Alexander quotes from her grandfather’s own writings to document this father-son relationship: “Ironically, despite his brilliant mind, [Franz] Alexander speaks repeatedly of his insecurity and internal conflict caused by an unclear sense of self. He thought his father was nearly perfect and yearned to impress him.”

Despite this insecurity, or perhaps because of it, Franz Alexander brought many significant and lasting changes to the study of the mind. One of the most significant of these changes was the research he and his clinical staff at the Institute made into the ways stress in the external environment affects the body as well as the mind.

While the term “psychosomatics” has largely fallen out of favor, the concept of the link between external and internal phenomena survives in the term “mind-body connection.” The link survives as well in the clinical disciplines of consult-liaison psychiatry and psychoneuroimmunology.

Ilonka quotes her grandfather as saying the following: “The body never lies, it is the consistent and reliable diary of our lives, detailing our internal experiences through its reactions and states.”

We honor the life and legacy of Dr. Elise Snyder.Dr. Snyder was a psychoanalyst, teacher, and bridge builder whose work ...
01/21/2026

We honor the life and legacy of Dr. Elise Snyder.

Dr. Snyder was a psychoanalyst, teacher, and bridge builder whose work shaped generations of clinicians and patients far beyond any one place or country.

At the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute, she was a vital force in expanding distance learning, helping to make psychoanalytic education accessible across borders. Through her deep commitment to international teaching, especially with Chinese students, she fostered meaningful clinical and intellectual exchange and helped cultivate psychoanalytic thinking in new cultural contexts.

By bringing psychoanalytic ideas to China and supporting students from abroad through innovative learning models, she created space for emotional depth, reflection, and healing where it had not been widely accessible before.

Countless lives were changed because of her commitment, courage, and belief in the power of being seen and understood.

Her work reminds us that beneath suffering, anger, and despair is a human longing for recognition and care. Elise met that longing with steadiness, intellect, and deep compassion.

We are grateful for her life, her teaching, and the paths she opened for others to walk forward. May her memory continue to guide our work and our listening.

We invite those who knew Elise to share a memory, reflection, or moment of learning in the comments as we honor her life and legacy.

Do good with burritos tomorrow 🌯❤️Join us for our Chipotle fundraiser supporting the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute. W...
12/17/2025

Do good with burritos tomorrow 🌯❤️

Join us for our Chipotle fundraiser supporting the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute. When you eat at Chipotle, a portion of your order helps support psychoanalytic education, training, and community mental health.

🗓 Thursday December 18
⏰ 4–8 PM
📍 8 E Madison St Chicago
💻 Order online for pickup using code Y2W3HCC or show the flyer in store

Comment below your go to Chipotle order ⬇️

Thank you for supporting CPI and eating for a good cause 🌯✨

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8 S Michigan Avenue # 700
Chicago, IL
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Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
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Human.Being.

Human beings and being human are at the core of the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute’s mission. The Institute is dedicated to advancing knowledge of human beings— their feelings, thoughts and behavior—and to improving people’s lives.

Since 1932, the Institute has contributed to the expansion of the field of psychoanalysis through education and scholarship. Today, the Institute offers a contemporary model of psychoanalytic thought relevant to individual and community life.

The Institute’s education programs for mental health professionals provide advanced training in the theory and practice of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. The Institute’s treatment centers provide psychoanalytically informed services for children, adolescents and adults. Its continuing education and community engagement programs bring psychoanalytic ideas to public discussions of cultural and social issues.