New Directions is a three-year postgraduate training program for psychologically-minded writers wanting to develop a richer understanding of modern psychoanalytic perspectives and apply it to their writing.

Our students, published and novice alike, are invested in developing their authorial skills, whether it is professional writing, essays, memoir, fiction, and poetry. They range in age from 30 to 90, and given the flexible weekend design, are able to come from all over the United States.

Writing clarifies and sharpens our thinking. A variety of program components support this effort. We use groups that review brief assignments written for each conference, craft-oriented writing workshops, forums for critical review of published writing, and collaborations that facilitate ongoing writing projects. Our writing groups are led by seasoned writers paired with psychoanalysts. 

In the course of three annual weekend conferences and optional summer and winter retreats, our community of students, alumni, teachers, and guest faculty come together to explore selected aspects of the psychoanalytic domain.  Each of these workshops, whether optional or part of the regular curriculum, are taught by seasoned, inspiring writers and analytic faculty who bring a sense of vibrancy and depth to our writing community.

Many of our graduates continue to participate in the program because they find New Directions a supportive professional community in which they can continue to develop – as thinkers, as writers, and as professionals.