This article initiates a series which will aim at making it possible for the American analyst to encompass intellectually the widespread activities and structure of psychoanalysis on the world scene. This series, to be continued in forthcoming Newsletters, will provide close-up views of, and by, some of the individuals who do the work between international congresses that culminates in the sort of complex program that will be available to the rest of us in London, July 21st through July 25th, 1975. However, congresses are the most visible of many functions only vaguely guessed at by most members of the American Association, even though we are the largest and most active national organization within the I.P.A.
This series cannot inform adequately; such a task would require a continuing series of volumes, vast travel, and many languages. Perhaps, though, such reports can expand the boundaries of our professional identities, stimulate interest in learning more about our foreign colleagues as well as learning more from them, and remind us of a history that goes back to April 1908 when forty-two pioneers from six countries assembled in Salzburg to hear nine papers in a one day congress.
The article below, by Dr. Frances Gitelson, currently a Vice-President of the I.P.A. is crammed with factual information as well as personal observations, experiences, and feelings, that give the additional reward of an invaluable glimpse of her lively, self-effacing nature. Others may see some of the events and persons she writes about in a different light, but any loss in apparent objectivity is, we feel, more than offset by the richness obtainable only in an account from “inside.”
The International Psychoanalytical Association has 3600 members devoted to the science of psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis refers to a theory of personality structure and function, to the application of this theory to other branches of knowledge, and finally, to a specific psychotherapeutic technique. The objectives of the Association are: to facilitate communication among psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic organizations by means of appropriate publications, scientific congresses and other meetings; to promote training and educational standards which will favor the continued development of psychoanalysis; to support the formation and development of psychoanalytic organizations.
The Association is composed of Members and Associate Members. All members of Component Societies, Provisional Societies, Study Groups, and Regional Associations are automatically members of the IPA. All Associate Members of the American must be members of an Affiliate Society. In a few special instances (when no Regional Association or Component Society exists locally) direct membership in the IPA is possible. All Members and Associate Members may attend scientific meetings of any Component Organization of the Association.
The Association is composed of the following Component parts.
Regional Association. So far, the American is the only such body within the IPA. It is unique in that all training facilities, including the formation of new Institutes, as well as matters pertaining to standards and qualification of psychoanalysts belong to it exclusively. Additionally, it recognizes its own Affiliate Societies, which in turn, become part of the IPA.
Component Society. A Component Society is directly affiliated with the International Association. It can train and qualify students for the practice of psychoanalysis within its own locale but it cannot set up Affiliate Societies to which it delegates a training role. (It is ‘answerable to the IPA alone’ although this is a sticky point since most Component Societies guard their rights in this matter jealously.)
Provisional Society. This is a local organization under direct supervision of the Council of the IPA. It has been granted training privileges but must still report its activities to the Council in order to have standards, etc., assessed before being granted independent status as a Component Society.
Study Group. This is a group in a locality not yet adequately served by a recognized Society. It is sponsored either by a nearby Component Society which acts for the Council as a supervising body, or by a Committee appointed by the Council for that specific purpose. The sponsoring group undertakes all training and qualification activities on behalf of the Study Group.
Within the IPA there is one Regional Association (the American); two Component Societies in North American (Canada, Mexico); nine in South America; thirteen in Europe; three in Asia (Israel, India, Japan); one in Australia. Norway is now the only Provisional Society but there are three study groups: Portugal, Madrid, Mendoza (South American). Additionally another group in Greece, not yet officially recognized as a Study Group, is being assisted to that status by members of the IPA.
The South American Component Societies plus the Mexican Association have formed a group known as COPAL (Consejo Coordinador de las Organizaciones Psicoanaliticas de America Latina). It sponsors Latin American congresses biennially in years alternating with the IPA International Congress, usually in mid-July, in those areas where Component Societies exist, under the auspices of one of these Societies. It performs for South America many of the same functions as does the American for our geographical area, but it has no control or autonomy in
training matters other than discussion of issues and procedures in a pre-congress meeting. The 10th Congress will be held in Rio this July.
In Europe a more recent and looser organization, The European Federation, is in existence. This group has had only one formal colloquium since its inception in 1969 but there are many combinations of Societies,—united by a common language, similar interests, etc.—within the larger organization, and these groups meet frequently, usually on a regular basis.
For a number of years, The APsaA has had a loose relation with COPAL through the COLLAC Committee. Under the aegis of these two committees, three Pan American Congresses have been held; in Mexico in 1964, in Buenos Aires in 1966, and a third in N.Y. in 1968. The first two were quite successful, especially the one in Mexico where enough North Americans attended to make an interesting mix. The Buenos Aires meeting was marvellously arranged but poorly attended by the North Americans. The New York meeting was a disaster. South Americans attended but the North American contributors were almost non-existent. Since then, a fourth congress, planned for Rio this summer, was cancelled when again it became apparent the North American attendance would be very poor. The South Americans are eager for scientific exchange and will welcome North American psychoanalysts who wish to visit them. It would be useful if North Americans would welcome colleagues from the Latin American countries with equal hospitality.
The IPA was formed in 1908 in Salzburg. Fifteen congresses were held from that time to 1938 when the second World War, for a second time, interrupted the congresses. In 1949 the IPA again began holding congresses and has done so every other year since then. The first American President, Leo Bartemeier, was elected in 1949. He was succeeded immediately by Heinz Hartmann who held the position for three years. In those earlier days, the president was picked by Ernest Jones and kept in office at his pleasure. Hartmann was a ‘bridge,’ being considered European in origin, yet American by choice. Jones wanted Hartmann as president for the Freud Centennial year in 1956, so he was voted in for a third term. Since then presidents have been elected by common agreement for two terms, and the position has rotated between European and North American analysts. The Council determines the number of Vice Presidents, but there can be no fewer than four, and more than half of the total number must be members of Component Organizations other than that of the President. Since 1963 there have been two Associate Secretaries on the Council; one representing Latin America (Dr. Guillerno Teruel from Venezuela), and the other the United States (Dr. Edward M. Weinshel). The past President serves on the Council for four years.
The two Associate Secretaries were additions to the Council in 1963. These positions strengthened the links between the Council and its major components, especially the South American groups. For the first time it provided them with a special representative from whom all matters of concern to Latin American psychoanalysis and psychoanalysts could be funneled to the Council. As for the other Associate Secretary, the position alternates between Europe and the United States depending on the country of the President. He has brought his knowledge about his own area to the Council. He, too, serves in transmitting information and advice between his organization and the Council. Both Associate Secretaries have been invaluable as “eyes and ears” in interpreting the climate and backgrounds of their regions for the President and Secretary, as well as making important recommendations and suggestions for Committee members, who cannot possibly know all the needed ‘ins and outs’ about all Component Organizations.
In 1965 the first Pre-Congress on Training was organized to provide a forum for analysts throughout the world to share thoughts, concerns, and problems regarding the education of analysts. At that first meeting, analysts from all over learned to their surprise that they shared much in common, a very comforting fact in the beginning. There has evolved, gradually, a format that provides excellent discussion and help in dissemination of good analytic teaching procedures.
The American Psychoanalytic Association supplies one half of the Presidents (and Secretaries) and other offices to the IPA. It has had a prominent role in planning congresses, in supplying speakers, panel members, discussants and moderators in symposiums, etc. These persons have been leaders in presenting theories, techniques, and clinical material to other psychoanalysts who do not have the same opportunities for exchange of ideas available to us in the United States. The American, through the members who participate, is in a position of leadership and assistance in consolidating psychoanalysis throughout the world. In areas where schisms have taken place, (for instance in France where Lacan has been a disruptive element), it has been of considerable support to the local Societies to belong to a large international organization which shares its views. The American, as a major force within the IPA, does therefore contribute materially to psychoanalytic standards elsewhere, even without taking a direct role in local issues. It also contributes to maintaining psychoanalytic groups in Iron Curtain countries where the struggle to survive professionally is formidable. It supplies scientific materials, often organizes local seminars, helps out with teaching and supervision, and aids in defraying expenses of group members to congresses.
The IPA has only one official house organ, the Bulletin, published in the International Journal of Psychoanalysis after each congress. It is a resumé of the congress and a report of actions taken at the Business Meeting. The current president, Prof. Serge Lebovici of France, has announced a policy of sending three or four Newsletters annually to members. Two comprehensive Newsletters have already been distributed this year. The International Journal of Psychoanalysis is not a function of the IPA; the British Society is fully responsible for its contents. Subscription costs to this Journal have been included in the IPA dues, which are collected by the American for the IPA. Recently, steps have been taken to send reciprocal subscriptions of the Journal of The American Psychoanalytic Association to British Society members.
What has the job of Secretary done for me? A lot. I have worked with superb people everywhere, particularly with Leo Rangell and Ed Weinshel, have been able to familiarize myself with the state of psychoanalysis over much of the world, have met many people, made good friends, and been able to be in the forefront of a profession important to me. On a more private level it has enabled me to continue being a part of an organization so important to my husband. In a major way (for me) it was carrying on and sharing again with him; it kept me tremendously busy and active at a time when I needed it most. It was a case of what the job did for me more than what I did for it.
The functions of the Secretary include:
assisting the President and keeping a record of all transactions;
preparing agendas for officers and acting on behalf of the President when requested to do so or when the President may be prevented from acting in his own behalf;
keeping the President informed of coming committments;
assuming responsibility for execution of the President's policy and all associated practical matters;
having formal responsibility for the organization of the international congresses and pre-congresses on training;
handling official correspondence of the Association; and
preparing a report of activities of the Association during his/her term in office.
The single greatest problem for the officers of the IPA, and therefore of the IPA as a whole, is to achieve recognition by all its members as something real, something other than a remote, isolated hierarchy trying to dominate one and all. It has been difficult to counteract this conception in spite of efforts which have included trips to many of the Component Societies by the President and Secretary; the publication of a Newsletter informing the membership of all organizational activities; and instituting a system of translating important information into four official languages (English, German, French, and Spanish). In addition, we have repeatedly requested that important issues be discussed in local Societies, and that actions, opinions, etc. should be reported back to the Council or at the Biennial Business Meeting. The officers are constantly on the alert for suggestions to implement and improve relations between Society members and officers.
Many changes have taken place in the last 15 years. When Dr. Gillespie was President he made a trip to South America—the first International officer to visit that country. In 1962, Dr. Gitelson and I went to Brazil to attend the 4th Latin American Congress in Rio. We spent five weeks there, with side trips to Uruguay and Argentina, meeting analysts from all over South America and Mexico. This established something of a precedent, one which was followed by Drs. van der Leeuw and Montessori who attended a similar congress in Latin America during the former's Presidency; by Leo Rangell and me during Leo's presidency; and this year it will be repeated by Drs. Lebovici and Widlöcher. This year, too, there have been more exchanges between the APsaA and COPAL. Ed Joseph's recent trip to Rio de Janeiro was sponsored by COPAL and several of the local Societies. COPAL officers have been invited to attend the meeting of the American including meetings of the Executive Council and Board of Professional Standards. Last December an invitation was extended to Drs. Lebovici and Widlöcher. All parties leave these encounters better informed and more cordially related.
Since there has been easier access (thanks to freer travel possibilities) between the IPA Council, through its officers, and the local Societies, it is my feeling that many of the barriers have been relaxed, and it is my hope that this will not only continue but increase in time. It is increasingly essential that all psychoanalysts unite to form the vanguard of those working to preserve the tenets of our field against those who would wish to see it vanquished, or its standards lowered.
The IPA is a central body, the official representative of world wide psychoanalysis. As such, it joins together and facilitates significant interchanges among several schools of thought. All, however, are united to attain and maintain professional excellence.