One Year Program – Part I* – 6 Weeks
Maturational Process: Early Development & Developmental Failures
Instructor: Lisa Thomas,
LPC, LPAT, SCPsyA, ATR-BC, ACS, ATCS, NCPsyA
Begins Monday, September 14, 2026| 5:30 PM – 7:10 PM ET
Dates: 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26
On Zoom Only – 10 CEs
Course Fee: $350|Optional CE Admin Fee: $17
*One Year Program courses may be taken in any order*
This course explores the maturational process from early childhood through adulthood, with a focus on the developmental tasks necessary for healthy psychological growth. Participants will examine the environmental, relational, and intrapsychic factors that can create obstacles to maturation, as well as the impact of adverse or disruptive events that may lead to developmental arrests. Discussion will address how these early disruptions can influence emotional, cognitive, and social functioning across
all stages of life.
The course will integrate theory and clinical application, emphasizing the use of these concepts in comprehensive treatment planning, targeted intervention strategies, and the evaluation of therapeutic outcomes. Case material and interactive discussion will support the application of concepts to clinical practice.
Course Objectives – Participants will be able to:
IDENTIFY: the developmental tasks necessary for emotional maturation throughout the lifespan.
ASSESS: events that may lead to developmental failures.
RECOGNIZE: how obstacles and events lead to emotional maturation or maladaptive patterns throughout the lifespan.
Meet Your Instructor
Lisa Thomas
LPC, LPAT, SCPsyA, ATR-BC, ACS, ATCS, NCPsyA
After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Corcoran School of Art, Lisa began her journey into the mental health field by earning a Master of Science in Art Therapy from the College of New Rochelle. Her keen interest in the unconscious led her to become a Modern Psychoanalyst, receiving a certificate from the Academy of Clinical and Applied Psychoanalysis in 2015. She then earned a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis–New Jersey.
For the past 25 years, Lisa has worked at Essex County Hospital Center as an art therapist serving adults with severe and persistent mental illness. She has provided clinical and administrative supervision to art therapy and modern psychoanalytic students since 2005. Lisa also facilitated supervision groups at ACAP/BGSP-NJ for five years and led groups for young adults on the autism spectrum at iStrive for six years.
Lisa maintains a private practice in Livingston, New Jersey.
The One-Year Program @ ACAP
Our program consists of four courses over one year. It provides an opportunity for mental health practitioners and professionals in various disciplines to enhance clinical skills, introducing innovative, Modern Psychoanalytic principles, theories, and techniques.
Participants will discover effective strategies for designing interventions that can reverse maladaptive emotional and behavioral patterns. Through hands-on learning, they will quickly build practical clinical skills that make a lasting difference in their work with clients—fostering collaboration, self-definition, and meaningful growth.
ACAP’s unique methods for navigating challenging clinical situations can be the key to transforming burnout into renewed professional satisfaction. These approaches are grounded in the foundational concepts of Modern Psychoanalysis, offering both depth and practical application.
Full information about the four courses at
Questions?
Contact us at
events@acapnj.org
Course Fee: $350
CE Admin Fee: $17
CE Provider for:
Creative Art Therapists
Marriage & Family Therapists
Mental Health Counselors (NBCC)
NJ Psychoanalysts
NYS Creative Arts Therapists
Psychologists
Social Workers
