This spring the American Psychoanalytic Association will make available a pamphlet about psychoanalysis to be distributed free of charge to the general public. It addresses itself in some detail to questions frequently asked by the average person: What is psychoanalysis? Who can benefit from it? What is a psychoanalyst? How does one find a competent practitioner? A section is devoted to the nature of the American Psychoanalytic Association, and a list of accredited training institutes and affiliate societies will be included.

There is a long-standing need for such a brochure according to Helen Fischer, Administrative Director, who says that the American receives an average of half a dozen inquiries a week from the general public, usually of the “I have to write a term paper” or “My son is going downhill” type. She gets mail from parts of the country where there is no analyst for hundreds of miles around, and from such unlikely places as prisons. Mrs. Fischer feels it is important that each letter be answered, and she has been doing so herself until now. She first requested a booklet of this type from the Committee on Public Information in 1977.

The project has been the major work of the committee for the past year. The current members, all of whom were active on the project, are Aaron Esman, Chairman, David Black, Gerald Fogel, Raymond Gehl, Alan Gurwitt, Arlene Heyman, William Jeffrey, Estelle Shane, Bennett Simon, and Stephen Sonnenberg. Judith Viorst is a consultant to the committee. Drs. Heyman and Fogel were the primary writers.