What It Takes to Be a Psychoanalyst

What makes the most complete psychoanalyst? Is it an MD with psychiatric training, plus a PhD in clinical psychology, plus a PhD in sociology, plus a PhD in history, and the additional training and therapy of psychoanalysis, classes, and supervision? These questions pose an ideal that seems beyond realistic expectation. So, what is the proper education for a psychoanalyst and who should do the therapy? Without an understanding of the theory and data and conflicts about human psychology, how can only medical training be considered adequate for preparation to be a psychotherapist? Psychiatric training must have much more than education in the major mental illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia) and the usual modalities of psychoactive drugs and somatic therapy (e.g., ECT).

Psychoanalysis is a science, and its applications are an art. Psychoanalytic therapy requires the subtlety of artist creativity. The “ideal” psychoanalyst is a goal. We should always aspire to reach it; knowing full well that individually we will not succeed. But, as Rabbi Tarfon said in the second century C.E., “It is not your obligation to complete the work of perfecting the world; but you are not free to desist from trying.”

We understand the following: 1) There is no separation of the organic brain from the dynamic mind. A purely organic approach to mind denies its potential for problem solving. A purely psychological approach to the mind of the non-neurotic patient limits the ability of the therapist to help diagnose and treat. 2) Neurotic patients have essentially intact brains with the essential problem (injuries) onset after three years of age. They are best helped by conflict resolution. 3) Providing the best environment for the brain (mind) in the first two, even three, years of life is vital for the prevention of serious mental illness (psychosis). Understanding that the early development of “mind” is based on the development and growth of the human “mind” in the “womb” of the family for the first several years, it is seen that a comprehension of the social structure of the family is an important area of knowledge that must be appreciated in becoming a “complete” psychoanalyst. Since the “womb” of the family is essentially the mother (not caretakers), then how can this important responsible position be developed in an emotionally healthy way? The answer is in how she is raised from birth on; how she is nurtured.

What does it take to be a complete psychoanalyst? In order of importance, a psychoanalyst should have: 1) An extensive personal psychoanalysis. 2) A healthy character. This is something that is not measurable; however, we all know what it is. Its basic element is honesty and integrity, not just isolated to a job or a particular relationship; it is in every aspect of life. In therapy, it is kind curiosity. There is also the quality of warmth. You know these qualities of character when you see them. They cannot be taught or psychoanalyzed in. Even if successfully analyzed, an unkind character with a neurosis will still be an unkind character. 3) Clinical training and academic study in psychoanalysis, with extensive supervision of their analytic work. 4) Broad understanding of mankind, both past and present, particularly the culture within which therapy is done. 5) Medical training if the cases will likely require medication (e.g., psychological decompensation — borderline ego organization) or have significant organic etiology (e.g., epilepsy, psoriatic arthritis, asthma, etc.).

What the preceding states is that medical training is valuable but it is at the bottom of the list. Psychoanalytic therapy, psychoanalytic training, and personal character along with broad human knowledge are much more significant. They are the most valuable assets to adequately function in making a diagnosis and doing psychoanalytic work.

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