Strong Views on Both Sides Mark Certification Survey Results

[Editor's note: The certification survey originated from the executive committee of APsaA. That committee was assisted in tabulating these results by an ad hoc group whose members are Robert Galatzer-Levy (chair), Lee Brauer, Bertram Cohler, and Beth Seelig. Special thanks are due to Lee Brauer for developing the graphical and statistical presentation of these data.]

The organization's internal debate on certification last spring culminated in a poll of members to ascertain their views on various aspects of the controversy. Prior to receiving the poll, members had a chance to read multiple viewpoints plus historical background on the subject in the spring 2002 issue of TAP (36/2).

The poll consisted of multiple choice questions and a section for optional comments. Respondents comprised slightly less than half of the membership, a level of response considered by researchers to constitute a good measure of organization opinion. However, it is important to note that almost twice as many of the respondents were certified compared to not certified, a discrepancy which could affect interpretation of the results.

Question 1. Do You Favor Some Form of Certification in Psychoanalysis?

The survey committee noted that on this and other questions, opinions were strong, and did not follow a normal statistical distribution. Relatively few respondents held equivocal or mild positions on any questions.

Certified members strongly favored certification by a ratio of about 5 to one, while non-certified members opposed it by about two to one. Affiliates favored certification but opinion was divided.

Question 2. Do You Favor a Certification Process Conducted by the APsaA?

The membership is almost equally divided about the process being conducted by the APsaA: 39% opposed, and 38% favored APsaA's being the certifying body. Again, equivocal opinions were rarer than strongly held ones.

Question 3. Do You Favor a Certification Process Conducted by an External Certifying Body?

Somewhat surprisingly, members are not in favor of external credentialing. A majority of 64% are either opposed or somewhat opposed. The group most in favor of external certification is certified members. A majority of affiliates strongly oppose external credentialing.

Question 4a. Do You Think That the Current Certification Process is Appropriately Conducted?

Certified members are more likely to feel certification is appropriately conducted, (but not “very appropriately conducted”). A majority of non-certified members feel it is not appropriately conducted. Affiliates are more than twice as likely to feel it is inappropriately conducted than very appropriately conducted.

Question 4b. Do You Think That the Current Certification Process is an Adequate Test of Competency?

Those who feel that certification is not an adequate test of competency hold these beliefs more strongly than those who feel it is an adequate test.

Question 5. Do You Believe That Certification in Psychoanalysis Should Play a Similar Role to Certification in Other Clinical Specialties?

The majority of respondents saw certification as playing a role similar in analysis to its role in other specialties.

Question 6a. Do You Advise That BOPS Support a Change in the Bylaws to Eliminate Certification as a Requirement for Training Analyst?

A majority (57%) of respondents do not think certification should be eliminated as a requirement for becoming a training analyst, but a substantial minority feel it should not remain a requirement. Non-certified members favor the elimination of the requirement by a two to one margin, while over 2/3 of certified members oppose eliminating the requirement. Affiliate members are almost evenly split.

Question 6b. Do You Advise That BOPS Support a Change in the Bylaws to Eliminate Certification as a Requirement for Fellows of the Board on Professional Standards?

The organization is almost equally divided on whether or not certification should be eliminated as a requirement for serving as a fellow of the Board on Professional Standards. 52% oppose changing the requirement, and 48% favor the change. Again, few respondents held equivocal opinions — positions were strongly held.

Question 7. Do You Favor Recertification?

Most analysts responding (64%) opposed recertification strongly. Another 13% “somewhat oppose” it. Respondents across all categories gave similar responses. There is more agreement on this issue than any other one in the survey.

One of the strongest findings of the poll in general is that there is strong disagreement on the issues, and that positions on both sides are strongly felt.