Analytic Psychotherapists Find a Home in the American

As a newcomer to the recent category of psychotherapist associate and a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Psychotherapist Associates, I would like to thank the American for “expanding the psychoanalytic tent” to include analytically oriented psychotherapists. Those of us who practice psychoanalytic psychotherapy often feel less at home with our parent disciplines and more comfortable in the broader analytic community. Since we share the same theories and practice some of the same therapies as do analysts, it is helpful to sit around the same tables at discussion groups and panels and learn together.

This was apparent at the two discussion groups designed specifically for psychotherapists at the last two national meetings of the American. Both were well attended and highly valued by participants. At the Fall Meeting, the topic was “Transference and Countertransference in Once or Twice Weekly Psychotherapy.” Ted Jacobs commented on the interesting clinical presentation by Ellen Abrams. At the recent May Annual Meeting, the focus of the discussion group was “Re-enactment in the Psychotherapeutic Process.” The discussant was Anton Kris, who led a lively discussion of the complex clinical material presented by Jane Warren. Both presentations generated spirited discussion of clinical material and overarching analytic principles. We look forward to continuing to provide thought-provoking discussions for psychotherapists.

The Ad Hoc Committee on Psychotherapist Associates has also been assisting local societies to develop allied organizations called Associations for Psychoanalytic Thought [see “Forging Associations for Psychoanalytic Thought,” Tap 32/4]. These organizations are separate from but affiliated with the psychoanalytic societies. Their main objective is to involve analytically informed clinicians, academics, and interested members of the community in a professional organization. They come together to share common understandings and applications of psychoanalytic thought, both in the clinical setting and in more applied areas. To date, nearly a dozen such organizations have been started or are in development. Of course, local societies do not have to develop APTs. They may also develop relationships with psychotherapists by inviting them to join societies directly, for example.

At its December 1998 annual meeting, the American became the first national analytic organization to create a category of participation for psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapists. The “psychotherapist associate” category allows therapists from various mental health professions to participate in national meetings of the American and enjoy collegiality and continuing education opportunities with other analytically oriented psychotherapists. In addition to receiving greatly reduced rates at national meetings, psychotherapist associates also receive TAP and are eligible to subscribe to JAPA at a reduced rate. Psychotherapist associates can also be listed in a national psychotherapist registry.

The committee believes there are many psychoanalytically oriented therapists who have some connection with the American by training, interest, or association who would like to become psychotherapist associates. The Ad Hoc Committee on Psychotherapist Associates intends to locate these clinicians, inform them of the new category, and encourage them to join. You, as a fellow therapist or analyst, can help us in this mission by directing interested persons to the APsaA central office. We want all analytically oriented psychotherapists interested in the American to know that the American is interested in them and has created a way for them to participate in its life. Any licensed mental health professional interested in joining can contact Debbie Steinke at the central office at 212-752-0450, ext. 26.