The American Psychoanalytic Association was founded in 1911 and currently has a membership of about 3000 analysts. It also includes accredited training institutes and affiliate psychoanalytic societies throughout the United States. Since its inception, it has been a member of the International Psychoanalytical Association, the official accrediting body for worldwide psychoanalysis.

One of the main functions of the American Psychoanalytic Association is scientific. It keeps members informed by providing forums for the exchange of new ideas and discoveries in areas such as practice, theory, and research. It holds two annual national meetings, and publishes the highly respected Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association. Founded in 1953, the Journal is noted for the outstanding quality of its articles on all aspects of psychoanalysis, as well as articles relevant to other areas of mental health and the behavioral sciences, including the application of psychoanalysis to other fields. Through the national organization and its member institutes and societies, the Association engages in a wide variety of educational activities.

A major responsibility of the Association is that of creating and maintaining high professional standards. The process whereby a new training institute may be granted membership in the Association is rigorous. Periodically the entire educational program at each member institute is re-evaluated to assure that these requisite standards are maintained. In addition, the Association evaluates graduates from approved institutes who wish to become certified members.
Reprinted with permission,
© 1996, American Psychoanalytic Association

Affiliate Membership for Candidates
Psychoanalytic candidates who have been accepted to begin class work and supervised psychoanalysis are eligible and are encouraged to apply for Affiliate Membership in The American Psychoanalytic Association. Membership affords one the opportunity to attend and to participate in the workshops, forums, panels, and special programs for candidates that are offered at the annual and midwinter meetings of the Association. The meetings make it possible to hear about and discuss theoretical and clinical perspectives beyond what any one institute can offer. Candidates can serve as full members of several committees of the Board on Professional Standards and the Executive Council. A subscription to the Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association comes with Affiliate Membership. Attending the meetings of the Association affords candidates the pleasure of meeting candidates and graduate psychoanalysts from our country and abroad, some of whom will become life-long colleagues and friends. Additional information is available on their website: www.apsa.org

The 2004-2007 Institute Respresntatives to the Board on Professional Standards are Drs. Jill Miller and David Stevens.

The 2003-2005 Society Representatives to the Executive Council of the American Psychoanalytic Association are: Cynthia Rose, M.D. and Cal Narcisi, M.D..

Glossary of acronyms and abbreviations used by APsaA.