The following represents condensed summaries of the major issues discussed at the meetings of the Board on Professional Standards and the Executive Council held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel during the fall meeting of the Association. Some of the actions of the Board and Council not mentioned may be elaborated elsewhere in this issue or will be in the next Newsletter.
Five “research” applicants for full clinical training were approved by the Committee on Research and Special Training and confirmed by the Board.
Seventeen applicants were approved by the Board for certification in psychoanalysis. Two on this list were also approved by the Board for certification in child/adolescent analysis after review and recommendation by the Committee on Certification.
The Board will attempt to obtain more verifiable, usable information from local institutes and societies about applicants' characters, and will inform applicants that such information will be sought.
Discussion clarified that while selected, adequately prepared candidates would be encouraged to enrich their education by analyzing children and adolescents under supervision, the standards state that one such case may be substituted for an adult supervised case for credit toward graduation and certification only if the student is receiving full training in child and adolescent analysis.
Dr. Ferber (Chairman, Committee on Institutes) discussed the progress of the Liaison Subcommittee program and clarified the range of Board assistance offered to institutes. This assistance extends from relatively informal but regular liaison contact to consultative and educational contact via ad hoc consultative committees and advisory committees. Full reporting of relevant information to the Board through Committee on Institutes' reports is an essential part of these programs.
Dr. Ferber reported on the findings of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute which visited Washington on November 10-12, 1978. The Committee on Institutes and the Board commended the Institute's recognition of its difficulties and its desire for continuing close consultative and educational contact with the Committee on Institutes, and to implement these aims the Committee on Institutes will now form an Ad Hoc Consultative Committee for the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute. Among other tasks, this Ad Hoc Committee will (1) collaborate with the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute as the institute formulates procedures and initiates the processes by which Training and Supervising Analysts would be appointed, and (2) will be responsible for the actual appointments made under these revised procedures.
The Ad Hoc Consultation Committee for the Los Angeles Institute reported gratifying progress and will continue in its relationship with the institute.
The Committee on Membership requested and received a waiver from the Board to extend Associate Membership to four individuals who are now too physically ill to apply for and achieve certification.
Dr. David Sachs, Chairman of the Committee on New Training Facilities, gave a careful presentation concerning the Board-authorized discussions between a subcommittee of the Committee on New Training Facilities and those Washington analysts who call themselves the WAPE group and who wish to form a new training facility. The discussion within the Committee on New Training Facilities was also detailed. It was discussed that if an accredited institute agrees to consider their credentials, each of these analysts can be carefully evaluated for geographic rule training analyst status by that intsitute, and if the institute so recommends, their names would be presented to the Board for its approval. Any candidates they might be permitted to analyze or supervise would be candidates of the sponsoring institute, and would be so informed and evaluated. This procedure was described as a method by which the Board on Professional Standards could evaluate over time the meaning and feasibility of establishing a new institute in Washington, as in any locale. After a long discussion, the Board voted to accept the report of the Committee on New Training Facilities.
Dr. Samuel Abrams described the results of a joint survey by the Committee on Psychoanalytic Education and the Committee on Child Analysis of the status of Child and Adolescent Analytic Practice around the country and its relation to educational approaches in different institutes. The study and its results will be sent to each institute, and will be one basis of a joint Study Group of the Committee on Psychoanalytic Education and the Committee on Child Analysis.
The Committee on Prerequisites for Training (Dr. Homer Curtis, Chairman) will continue in its work of studying and refining its descriptions of the type and nature of those optimal educational experiences which prepare individuals for analytic training.
The Board on Professional Standards unanimously approved the choice by Dr. Laurence B. Hall of Dr. Vann Spruiell of New Orleans to be the next Secretary of the Board on Professional Standards.
Dr. Herbert J. Schlesinger delivered the report of the Committee on the Effects of Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis on Emotional and Physical Health. Dr. Schlesinger's committee has obtained access to Blue Cross/Blue Shield records of the past several years, amounting to 67 rolls of computer tape. They estimate that about 1% of the patients have had psychotherapy.
Among the items noted in the report to Council by the Secretary of the Executive Committee was the 20th Anniversary of GOES, the Group of Executive Secretaries. To acknowledge our debt of gratitude to this group, Dr. Kaplan called on Council for a standing round of applause, which was enthusiastically delivered.
The discussion of the Secretary's report focused briefly on the letters sent to the Argentine government leaders regarding persecution of mental health professionals. Since the referendum on this issue following the Atlanta meeting had strongly (Yes—748; No—81; No Vote—10) supported the sending of such letters, the Executive Committee lent its endorsement and the letters were sent despite several communiques which did not support the action. Dr. Calder entered the plea that in the future the American Psychoanalytic Association treat other constituted societies of the International Psycho-Analytical Association as the “good neighbors” that they are.
Regarding the referendum on the Equal Rights Amendment, the results were the following:
| Part I | Yes 672 | No 156 | No vote 11 |
| Part II | Yes 649 | No 180 | No vote 10 |
There was a lengthy discussion about DSM III. The Association had received a letter from Dr. Robert Spitzer regarding a proposed book, “DSM III and Treatment Planning,” which, if it comes to fruition, will incorporate the principles of several different treatment modalities, including those of biological psychiatry, behavior modification, and the Academy of Psychoanalysis. Each approach will have one chapter, and the American Psychoanalytic Association has been invited to participate equally. The Association shall acknowledge agreement, before the stated deadline, to participate in the book. The Executive Committee and the Executive Council will have the opportunity to review the chapter.
The Treasurer, Dr. William S. Robbins, then reported on the Association's financial situation and commented on the 1979 budget. On the one item presented for action, Council unanimously approved an assessment of $25 for each Active Member and $10 for each Associate Member to support a welcoming party for the International Psycho-Analytical Congress.
Dr. Robert S. Wallerstein then reported on the Fund for Psychoanalytic Research, which he characterized as “an established, thriving fund,” and he expressed thanks to the membership at large for their voluntary support of this endeavor.
Dr. Harold Blum, Editor of the Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, after reporting favorably on both the number and quality of papers currently being submitted for consideration, presented to Dr. Kaplan five valuable first editions as part of the collection of psychoanalytic classics recently donated to the American Psychoanalytic Association.
After a vigorous and prolonged debate, Dr. Herbert Gaskill's report for the Advisory Committee on National Issues was accepted with only one dissenting vote. Much controversy has arisen over the recommended change in direction which will channel our energies toward a closer and more active working relationship with the American Psychiatric Association, which will better protect our special tax-exempt status while we strive to influence pending legislation.
The Council approved the request of Dr. Jerome Beigler, Chairman of the Association's Committee on Confidentiality, that we support a $500 assessment by the National Commission on Confidentiality. This will be a one time only expenditure.