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This book consists of letters that experienced psychoanalysts from around the world have written to candidates in psychoanalytic training. The letters share their impressions from, memories of and reflections on their own educational course and later practice as psychoanalysts. This is the first time a project like this has been attempted. Fred Busch, the book’s editor, and initiator got the idea for the project based on his own experiences from his time as a candidate. At that time, candidates had no place in the organizational structure, no unified voice, and they met in ‘secret’ to share thoughts and experiences. This was before the candidate had established their own organisations. Busch was struck by how important this sharing between candidates was and was surprised to hear how different each individual experienced her particular organization and education. Busch writes by way of introduction:
«A theme you will read in many of the letters is that without the opportunity to hear about different models of training, along with how to think about one’s path to becoming a psychoanalyst, one’s view can become parochial, thus limiting the capacity to reflect on these important issues.” And further: « … I was motivated to bring you these letters, which I hope you find inspiring and thought provoking and help you think about your own training and entrance into this intriguing profession.” (p. xii)
Busch points to the importance of an open dialogue between candidates to prevent being left alone with difficult feelings and experiences. If you ‘air’ your views with others, they are put into perspective. Traditionally, psychoanalytic organization structures have provided fertile ground for idealization and paranoid anxiety. It is important not to individualize or pathologize reactions to system, group dynamics and organization.
It is difficult to write something general about all these 42 voices. All are, in line with the project’s framework, formulated as short letters to c