Austen Riggs Center

Depth Core

Stockbridge, MA, United States

psychiatric

About

Austen Riggs is arguably the most purely psychodynamic residential program in the country. Its open, voluntary setting rejects locked-ward models in favor of patient self-direction within a deeply relational therapeutic community. The Erikson Institute produces significant psychoanalytic research and training.

Depth Orientation

Intensive psychodynamic psychotherapy (4x/week) is the cornerstone of treatment. Open, voluntary therapeutic community model emphasizes patient agency and self-direction. Staff include psychoanalytically certified clinicians (ABAPsa). Houses the Erikson Institute for education and research in psychodynamic approaches. Psychoanalytic fellowship training program. Research focus on psychodynamic diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment Modalities

Psychodynamic PsychotherapyPsychoanalysisTherapeutic CommunityGroup TherapyArt TherapyMilieu Therapy

Program Details

Length of Stay 6 weeks minimum evaluation, many patients stay several months to a year+

Cost $1,275/day; 6-week evaluation phase $80,000-$86,000. Private pay; out-of-network reimbursement support available.

Insurance Private pay

Populations Adults 18+

Best for

Treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions
Complex personality disorders
Chronic depression and anxiety
Patients who have failed shorter-term treatment

Notable Clinicians

Steven Ackerman, PhD, MBA, ABPP — psychoanalytically certified, IRB chair
John Azer, MD — psychiatrist with psychoanalytic fellowship
Marilyn Charles, PhD — former president APA Division 39 (Psychoanalysis)

Contact

Website (855) 338-0060