The Psychology Specialty of Psychoanalysis

Marilyn S. Jacobs Ph.D., ABPP Chair, Psychoanalysis Synarchy

Psychoanalysis

What is Psychoanalysis? (#1)

A general theory of human nature which gives particular attention to unconscious functioning and has application to many areas of human inquiry, including psychology, psychiatry, medicine, child and adult development, social sciences and the arts and humanities.
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What is Psychoanalysis? (#2)

An inquiry concerned with understanding unconscious mental life (emotions and conflicts) and how these are experienced. Therapies which are concerned with how these factors impact the functioning of ones self and interpersonal interactions. Considers the influence of developmental experiences on ones personality, perspective and functioning.
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7 Features of Psychoanalysis
Shedler, J (2010). The efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy. American Psychologist. 65(2). 98-109

Focus on expression of emotion Exploration of distressing experience Identification of recurring themes Discussion of development Focus on interpersonal relations Focus on the therapy relationship Exploration of fantasy life
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Theories of Psychoanalysis

Ego psychology Modern conflict theory Object relations theory Self psychology Lacanian psychoanalysis Interpersonal psychoanalysis Relational psychoanalysis Intersubjective psychoanalysis Jungian Archetypal and Analytical Psychology

Psychoanalysis

Effectiveness of Psychoanalysis

With regard to psychoanalytic therapy, controlled quasi-experimental effectiveness studies provide evidence that psychoanalytic therapy is (1) more effective than no treatment or treatment as usual, and (2) more effective than shorter forms of psychodynamic therapy. Conclusions are drawn for future research. Leichsenring F. (2005). Are psychodynamic and
psychoanalytic therapies effective?: A review of empirical data. Int J Psychoanal. 86(Pt 3):841-68.
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Where Do Psychoanalysts Work?

Medical Hospitals and Clinics Mental Health Hospitals and Clinics Independent Private Practice Child Development Centers Schools and Colleges Legal Settings Research Centers
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The Division of Psychoanalysis of the American Psychological Association (Division 39) provides a common ground for the many different schools and applied areas within Psychoanalysis. The Division website is www.apadivisions.org/division-39/
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Division 39: A Snapshot

Founded in 1979 in response to the need for a psychoanalytically oriented psychology. Its members are more than 3000 doctoral level psychologists, graduate students and allied mental health professionals as well as non-clinical academics which make it one of the largest psychoanalytic associations in the world. Division 39 is the only group for psychoanalysis in the APA.
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Highlight of Recent Activities

An outreach program to enlarge community psychoanalysis Creation of a diagnostic classification manual based upon psychoanalysis Partnership to create and coordinate online educational programs Ongoing sponsorship of the Multicultural Conference and Summit
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Membership and Activities

Members represent the full diversity and vibrancy of contemporary psychoanalytic theory, research, and clinical practice. The annual Spring meeting is a rich forum in which members and other interested thinkers share their scholarship and clinical work relevant to current psychoanalytic ideas and controversies.
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Publications I

Division 39 has 3 quarterly publications Psychoanalytic Psychology (the peerreviewed scholarly journal) Division Review (the literary journal exploring current topics, commentary and book/film/cultural reviews) Insight (the digital newsletter with information relating to psychoanalysis as presented in traditional and social media).
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Publications II

PsycScan: Psychoanalysis indexes and abstracts currently published psychoanalytic journals and books. Psychoanalytic Electronic Publishing (PEP) archives psychoanalytic publications beginning in 1871. The Division has negotiated a discount rate for its members to subscribe to this resource.
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Sections of Division 39

Division 39 relies upon the active participation of its members. Members can participate in one of the nine different sections, listed on the following page. Section membership allows a more focused and personal entree into division activities. The sections also contribute to the psychoanalytic field through graduate student/early career awards and stipends.
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Sections of Division 39

Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section

I: Psychologist/Psychoanalyst Practitioners II: Childhood and Adolescence III: Women, Gender and Psychoanalysis IV: Local Chapters V: Psychologist Psychoanalyst Clinicians VI: Psychoanalytic Research Society VII: Psychoanalysis and Groups VIII: Couples and Families IX: Psychoanalysis and Social Responsibility

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Division 39: Future Directions

Broadening scientific/public interest in psychoanalytic psychology Encouraging psychoanalytic education for the public welfare Informing psychologists and the public of new developments Promoting the highest standards for the practice of psychoanalysis
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Resources

The Division of Psychoanalysis www.apadivisions.org/division-39/ The American Board and Academy of Psychoanalysis (ABAPsa) www.abpp.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm? pageid=3312

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