Society Training Prospectus 2009
Training
Australian Psychoanalytical Society Inc
(Component Society of the International Psychoanalytical Society)
The APAS is committed to advancing the training and qualification of psychoanalysts. When time and/or distance considerations place an undue burden on prospective applicants, the APAS is exploring the possibility that training may be offered utilising concentrated analysis. Supervision of training cases and seminar programs will be adapted accordingly but, as with selection and qualification, will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the APAS training model. The needs of the individual candidate will be taken into account but precise details about training arrangements cannot be given in advance.
For 2010-2011, please contact Miss J Meadows, Honorary Secretary, for discussion of how to proceed.
SOCIETY TRAINING PROSPECTUS 2009
Preamble
Psychoanalysis is the study of human psychological functions. Psychoanalysis aims at the full expression, exploration and understanding of the human mind with particular emphasis on the emotions and unconscious processes.
Psychoanalysis has three elements. It is a systemized body of knowledge about psychological development and functioning. It is a method of treatment that offers the possibility of deeper self awareness, emotional growth and lasting change. It is also a method of observation and research designed to advance our understanding of the mind.
Aims of Psychoanalytic Education
The primary aim of psychoanalytic education is to develop psychoanalytic competence and a core psychoanalytic identity. A psychoanalytic identity requires intellectual and emotional openness towards understanding the complexity of the human mind including its suffering. Essential to this identity are an attitude of scientific curiosity, a spirit of openness towards new observations, and a wish to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the accumulated body of psychoanalytic knowledge. A psychoanalytic identity also includes a lasting commitment to continuing study and development as an analyst, to periodic consultation and supervision with colleagues. The analyst’s identity will depend upon developing and maintaining high standards of clinical competence. High ethical standards and a commitment to patient care are priorities for the analyst.
Personal Analysis
Education in psychoanalysis begins with the personal experience of psychoanalytic treatment received by the candidate. Such an experience aims to enable the candidate to appreciate the extent to which psychoanalysis offers an opportunity for self-awareness and lasting change. The personal analysis also aims to help candidates recognize the importance of self-awareness in concurrent psychoanalytic clinical work with their own patients. A personal psychoanalytic experience also enhances the work of those graduates who follow career paths in allied fields, research, psychotherapy, administration, education, or other areas where psychoanalytic methods of investigation and understanding can be applied.
Theoretical and Clinical Training
Education in psychoanalysis also aims to provide the theoretical background and clinical skills necessary for the effective use of a psychoanalytic process in the treatment of emotional dysfunction. This education includes gaining an appreciation of the technical features of the analytic setting, the nature and commitment of analyst and analysand, and the nature of the psychoanalytic stance and attitude that contributes to the success of the psychoanalytic process. The analytic work optimally requires of the analyst characteristics which include knowledge, imagination, creativity and integrity. Psychoanalytic education also aims to impress upon the candidate the absolute indispensability of a guarantee of privacy, confidentiality and ethical behaviour.
ABOUT US
The Branches have been training since the 50’s and offer a training program in accordance with the requirements of the International Psychoanalytic Association.
The Branches teach the theory and practice of psychoanalysis to its candidates and encourages research in this field as well as promoting mental health in the community through supervision, consultations and educational seminars and lectures.
Completion of the training leads to the title Psychoanalyst as recognized by the International Psychoanalytical Association.
Selection
A fundamental requirement for psychoanalytic education and clinical training is an established identity as a professional whose conduct assures a firm and enduring commitment to responsibility and ethical patient care.
Psychoanalytic education begins with the selection process and therefore requires much care and thought. Selection is based on an applicant’s suitability, eligibility and readiness. It is the official position of the Branches that an applicant is never excluded on the basis of age, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, racial or ethnic background.
Suitability
A selection of an applicant for psychoanalytic education and clinical training involves an assessment of suitability, the possession of certain character traits and ethical values necessary for every psychoanalyst, i.e. evidence of integrity, inherent honesty, maturity, flexibility and strength of character, as well as, to a reasonable extent, the capacity for self-observation, self-mentoring and the ability to maintain proper interpersonal boundaries.
Eligibility
The selection of an applicant is also based on eligibility and readiness. Prior academic training includes a university degree or its equivalent, acceptable to the Australian Psychoanalytic Society. Prior clinical training, clinical experience, aptitude and potential for psychoanalytic competence will also be considered.
THE TRAINING PROGRAM
Psychoanalytic education involves the study of theoretical and clinical principles, and aims towards scholarly achievement, personal growth and the development of psychoanalytic clinical expertise. This training is based on a tripartite model with three complementary learning experiences: a personal analysis, theoretical and clinical seminars, and supervised psychoanalytic work.
1. Personal Training Analysis
A personal analysis during the course of candidacy aims to help the candidate achieve a high degree of character, stability, openness, flexibility and maturity. It is essential that the candidate develops the capacities for self-observation, self-reflection and ultimately ongoing self-analysis which are necessary for the capacity to maintain a basic psychoanalytic stance. These qualities are necessary if the future analyst is to be sufficiently free of those psychological vulnerabilities and character traits that may interfere with psychoanalytic work. The personal analysis should result in direct appreciation of the power and nature of conscious and unconscious processes, including conflicts, affects, defenses and their interrelationship. It should also result in conviction as to the therapeutic value of the analysis of transference and the value of gaining understanding of the role of childhood experiences, memories and fantasies.
Accepted candidates make their own arrangements with an approved training analyst of the Australian Psychoanalytical Society. The personal training analysis will take place a minimum of four times a week throughout a substantial part of the training. The fee is by private arrangement with the Training Analyst. The candidate will be required to have entered into a personal analysis at the commencement of the seminar program.
The candidate’s personal analysis forms the core of the educational experience around which the supervised work is built. The work of the curriculum helps to organize and conceptualize these experiences and by case discussions, broaden the candidate’s exposure to a wider variety of cases.
2. Theoretical and Clinical Seminars
a. Theoretical
The course is part-time and is organized so that students are able to continue working during the training. To foster the development of clinical skills, the curriculum is designed to integrate theoretical course work with direct practice. Theoretical and clinical seminars take place over a period of four years. The first year includes Infant Observation for which the candidate makes weekly home visits to observe a mother and baby; candidates also participate in weekly seminars to discuss their observations.
In the second, third and fourth year until qualification candidates attend one theoretical seminar and one clinical seminar per week. As well, the candidates of the three different Branches of the Society meet interstate three times per year to share their clinical and theoretical experiences. The program provides an overview of some main models of psychoanalytic thought and the ways they formulate notions of health and psychopathology. It also covers the relations between theory and practice. Clinical theories or theories of technique are critically discussed by investigating questions such as: what constitutes psychoanalytic methods and attitudes; what clinical frameworks enable a psychoanalytic investigation about how psychoanalysts and analysands participate in the psychoanalytic encounter.
b. Electives:
Electives reflect the particular strengths of a faculty and the particular needs and interests of candidates. The Branches may include time set aside for each candidate to select an elective which will be supervised by a teacher who is competent in that field.
Clinical
As well weekly clinical seminars will take place from the conclusion of the first year until the conclusion of the training. Here the candidates present their clinical material in groups and discuss their psychoanalytic work with fellow candidates and a senior clinician.
3. Supervised Psychoanalysis
Candidates will be required to treat two patients under supervision. Sometimes a third patient is recommended. One case will be seen for two years and one for one year and it is recommended that one case of both gender be seen.
4. Child and Adolescent Training
Qualified psychoanalysts and Branch students who are treating their adult training case are free to apply to the Branch for training in the psychoanalysis of children and adolescents. The training has its own theoretical and clinical seminars; the core of this training is the treatment of two children (aged 2-5 and 6-12) and one adolescent (aged 13-17) under supervision of a senior child psychoanalyst.
Fees
Candidates will be required to pay an annual training fee (approximately $1100) to cover training expenses other than for personal analysis and supervision. Fees for personal psychoanalysis and supervision are a matter of arrangement between the candidate and the psychoanalyst of choice.
The Branches subsidize the training program: tuition fees for the course are nominal.
Training Agreement
At the commencement of training, candidates are required to read and sign an agreement to be bound by the Code of Ethics, Rules of Association, By-laws and Procedures of the Society. It is also required that all candidates take up professional indemnity insurance, evidence of which needs to be sighted by a member of the Branch Executive. The training agreement also states that continuance in the training is conditional on the candidate’s progress and the Society reserves the right to suspend or terminate the candidate’s training at any time.
Candidate Organization
There is a candidate organization which facilitates communication between the candidates and the Australian Psychoanalytic Society.
Qualification and Membership of the Branch and the Australian Psychoanalytical Society
On satisfactory completion of the training program and qualification, the newly qualified psychoanalyst is entitled to apply for associate membership in the Australian Psychoanalytical Society.
Associate members may become full members of the Society by presenting a clinical paper to an especially selected group of senior clinicians. Full membership of the Australian Society confers eligibility to membership of the International Psychoanalytical Society.
Application Procedure
The Branches welcome all enquiries and applications.
Prospective applicants who require further information or guidance before applying, can contact the Chair of the Admission/Selection sub-committees who will arrange an informal and confidential meeting.
All prospective applicants who fulfill the prerequisites or who wish to discuss their situation are offered a preliminary interview. Following this interview, those who meet the required criteria are invited to complete an application form and to give the names of four referees. Applicants then have two or three personal interviews and the Admission/Selection sub-committee evaluates the application.
If applicants are unsuccessful, reapplication may be made in not less than a year. Three applications in all can be made.
Guidelines for analytic training using concentrated analysis 2008
Training would, except for the following variations, be organised according to the APAS Bylaws and procedures (concurrent training analysis, supervision of 2 cases 4x a week for 2 and 1 year respectively, and a theoretical program).
Concentrated analysis
Candidates would come from a location near the three Branches. Examples of this model are 2 sessions a day for 2 days a week or 4 sessions every 2nd week.
Selection
The Selection/Admission process and procedures would be organised by the Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney Admission/Selection committees.
Selection interviews would in addition try to determine the likelihood of applicants coping with the particular stresses of concentrated/ analysis and whether they could sustain a concentrated analysis. The interviewers would discuss the modality and practicality of the analysis and attempt an evaluation of the feasibility of the project, e.g. location and number of sessions, training etc. It is important to recognise that Selection/Admission is a continuing process which may be of a more exploratory nature to begin with and that potential applicants need to recognise that it may take up to 2 years to feel that their analysis is established.
If the applicant is accepted s/he becomes an officially registered candidate of the Branch/APAS.
After full discussion with their Progress Advisor, there would be a further interview with a representative appointed by the Progress committee to evaluate where and how seminars and supervision will take place.
Analysis
Concentrated analysis should be at least 100 sessions a year, and APAS recommends that it continues for the duration of the training but in recognition of the hardships faced by a candidate training in this way will allow the frequency in the final stages of the candidate’s training to be determined within the analysis.
Supervision
Supervisions are weekly, and continue for at least two and one year each. Supervision may be conducted weekly by Skype, and a minimum of three times a year face-to-face supervisions are essential. Candidates are encouraged to arrange supervisions during the time period that they are attending for their analysis, to try and achieve more than the minimum required.
Theoretical
Theoretical seminar teaching should total approximately 360 hours (eg 90 hours x 4 years) to be similar to the IPA recommended minimum model.
Concentrated analysis candidates will have a combination of theoretical teaching modalities. It is expected that they will attend a number of face-to-face APAS candidate seminars when they are attending for their analysis. They will attend other APAS candidate seminars by telephone link up, video link or webcam. Candidates will attend InterState WeekEnds (ISWE) and also the APAS conferences. At the time of the ISWEs and the APAS conferences, tutorials for them may also be arranged.
Final presentation
When the theoretical program and 2 supervisions are finished, there will be a case presentation, with discussion, at an Interstate student weekend(s) or to be arranged. Two Training analysts will evaluate the presentation.
Qualification
Successful candidates would join the nearest Institute.
