February 2011: Alan Nathan, Psy.D.

Dr. Alan Nathan is an Associate Professor at Argosy University where he teaches psychology and behavioral science courses in the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Program in Washington, D.C. Specifically, he developed the curriculum and teaches: Introduction to Psychodynamic Theory and Therapy, Principles and Practice in Psychotherapy, and Issues in the Assessment and Treatment of Diverse Populations. Dr. Nathan also developed an Advanced Relational Psychodynamic Course and an associated Psychodynamic Special Interest Group for further study in the field. He participates in the administration and evaluation of student clinical proficiency and competency exams. He serves as the chair or committee member on 15 to 20 capstone clinical research projects. He was chair of the Student Professional Development Committee for three years and continues to serve on the committee in an advisory role. He was the faculty liaison to the Student Government Association for two years. In the past, he provided clinical supervision for students on practicum placement.

Dr. Nathan received his B.A. in Psychology from City University of New York, Queens College, and his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University, C.W. Post, as part of the entering Class of 1992. He then went on to work as a Staff Clinician in Northern Westchester Guidance Clinic and as a Senior Clinician at the Fairfax County Community Services Board. At these sites, he conducted assessments and provided psychotherapy services to children and adults suffering the impact of interpersonal trauma and abuse. He is a member of several distinguished groups including the: American Psychological Association Division 39/Psychoanalysis, Maryland Psychological Association, International Association of Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy and the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration. He is also a candidate in the Adult Psychoanalysis Program at the Psychoanalytic Training Institute of the New York Freudian Society.

Dr. Nathan’s major scholarly and clinical interests include relational psychodynamic theory and therapy, child maltreatment and trauma, attachment and mentalization, implicit relational patterns, intersubjectivity, the interface of psychoanalytic theory and neurobiology, clinical work with diverse populations, professional identity development among clinical psychology students, and development of psychotherapy relationship skills. He also has a private practice working with adolescents, young adults, and adults in which he provides individual relational psychodynamic psychotherapy. Major clinical areas addressed within his practice include: childhood trauma and abuse, adolescent issues, relationship and self esteem issues, and personality disorders. For further information, Dr. Nathan can be reached at anathan@argosy.edu.