In July, 1976, the position of liaison between the APsaA and the APA was established by Herbert Gaskill and Robert Gibson, presidents of these organizations, both appointing Dr. Lewis L. Robbins of New York to serve in this capacity. This arrangement has continued formally by the APsaA and, at first formally and more recently informally, by the APA. The idea evolved from the awareness of the leaders of both associations that numerous current events were of mutual interest and concern and that, whenever possible, the two organizations should work together, presenting a united position to the public and particularly to public officials such as legislators. To have someone in close touch with the activities and concerns of both organizations, who could alert each to the other's activities, was expected to ensure optimum collaboration.
Serving on the Executive Committee of the APA for the past four years has afforded Dr. Robbins an opportunity to serve as a “broker,” bringing together individuals as well as committees of both organizations working on related issues. For example, in 1976, a meeting was arranged between the legislative committee of the APsaA with Robert Campbell, then chairman of the APA's Joint Commission on Legislation, which led to direct collaboration between the officers and staffs of both organizations on a number of legislative matters concerning national health insurance, problems of confidentiality, and the coverage of psychoanalysis by insurance companies.
This latter area was closely related to problems that arose in relation to the section on psychoanalysis dealing with the CHAMPUS Project for an APA Manual for Peer Review, expected to serve as a model for peer review in general, which William Offenkrantz and his committee helped prepare.
As DSM-III was being developed, concern was expressed that the psychoanalytic point of view was inadequately represented. Meetings between Leo Madow, chairman of the APsaA committee and Robert Spitzer, chairman of the APA's task force were arranged and ultimately two members of the APsaA, William and Jack Frosch, were appointed to work with Spitzer's committee.
In order to keep the APsaA informed about many APA projects and developments, reports were presented to the Executive Council and numerous conversations were held with Helen Fischer. Discussions were also held with the Committee on Affiliate Societies and
its chairman, Gerry Freiman, in order to encourage participation of members, in general, as well as representatives of the affiliate societies with their respective APA district branches.
Liaison now exists on several levels between the officers, various committees and the staffs of both organizations. Much of this effort has been to ensure that the psychoanalytic point of view is included in developments at the national level. Also, because of the relatively small membership of the APsaA and the feeling that its political “clout” is limited, whenever possible the two organizations should work together.
It is to be noted that a considerable number of members of the APsaA are actively engaged in the work of, and hold offices in, the APA. In the current world in which the treatment of the psychiatrically ill involves so many extra-clinical issues as well as mutual educational and research matters, close liaison between our two organizations, in one form or another, is essential.