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In 1994, the Research Committee of the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis, Inc., was established by the Membership Board. The interest in research was sparked by the growing concern regarding the viability of psychoanalysis as a treatment modality in a climate of continuous attacks from the media, managed care, and insurance companies. To support our belief in psychoanalysis as a scientific investigatory system of the human psyche and a treatment modality based on psychoanalytic concepts, we felt that a study of psychoanalytic practice would provide an informative picture regarding current practice and ideology. This information was especially important in regard to our Training Institute in order to continue to train and teach a viable psychological system. We hoped that a study of the practice of psychoanalysts, their attitudes, and concepts about psychoanalysis as a dynamic treatment method would provide an informative picture of the current status of this discipline. Furthermore, ascertaining the nature of analytic practice, the extent to which analysts are practicing psychoanalysis, and to what extent dynamic psychotherapy or another type of therapy has become the dominant mode of practice would replace speculation by fact. Our interest was also to enquire as to the actuality of practice as it contrasted or was harmonious with the inherent desires of the practitioner.
We approached this project by designing a schedule that was neither so complex in structure nor so arduous as to turn away our respondents. Possibly, by attempting to simplify the questionnaire, we neglected a number of important areas for study. Despite our efforts, the return was only 22 percent.