Take a Look at APsaA's Toolbox for Members

A toolbox filled with professional tools of the trade—that's the way to look at the many benefits APsaA offers members. Whether you use these benefits once or continuously, they can become invaluable assets to you in your professional and personal life.

Ethics Case Book: a tool for clinicians as well as in the classroom. The Ethics Case Book, edited by Paul A. Dewald and Rita W. Clark, contains APsaA's Ethics Code and Procedures and “uses clinical vignettes and discussions to illustrate the complexities faced by the therapeutic clinician in interacting with patients and helps clinicians to better recognize and respond to these issues of professional practice.”

Practice Bulletins: tools that help clarify the technical standards and policies for external review and documentation. APsaA's current Practice Bulletins cover Informed Consent to Review, Charting Psychoanalysis, External Review of Psychoanalysis, Appointment Records, and Interacting with Third Parties.

Talking Points Cards: a fairly new tool developed to help members prepare for interviews with the media and community and for other presentations to non-mental health professionals.

Forward! The Best Practices Newsletter: a tool that provides members with new ideas by highlighting stories from APsaA institutes, societies, and foundations as well as from individual members whose programs have helped to fulfill a specific mission or goal. For example, the current issue showcases the San Francisco Foundation for Psychoanalysis's hiring of an executive director/development director.

E-mail Lists: a tool to provide members with a valuable forum to exchange and challenge ideas. They also provide the fastest, most efficient way to receive Association news and updates.

APsaA Credit Card: an APsaA affinity credit card program with MBNA America. The no-fee credit cards have incentive programs to enhance the services they offer, including their Worldpoints, which are redeemable for airline tickets, merchandise, and gift certificates. And at no cost to the cardholder, APsaA receives a royalty on all of your purchases, which, in turn, assists us in advocating for psychoanalysis.

As a member of the Association, you can take advantage of many opportunities to enhance your professional skills by attending and participating in the scientific meetings, getting involved on committees, or submitting papers for JAPA. APsaA members also enjoy a worldwide network of support and information through the International Psychoanalytical Association.

We hope you use the APsaA toolbox to help you in the multiple facets of your professional life. I would like to hear how these tools have been helpful to you as well as get an idea of other tools you would like APsaA to offer in the future. Your feedback on these benefits helps the National Office serve you better. If you would like additional information on any of the membership tools, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to talking to you.