The training analyst’s self-enhancement

Abstract

A candidate’s training analysis is arguably the most influential aspect of her psychoanalytic training. Therefore, the training analyst has a special responsibility to our field. It can be deeply satisfying to contribute to the development of a younger colleague. However, we must not overlook the risk of putting our own narcissistic needs ahead of those of our patients. This paper explores some ways in which the training analyst’s need for self-enhancement may subvert the candidate/patient’s best interests. Although this is a danger in any analytic treatment, there are some special risks when the patient is an analytic candidate.

Key words:

• training analyst
• narcissism
• psychoanalytic training
• clinical theory

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ruth R. Imber

Author

Ruth R. Imber, PhD, is a faculty, training, and supervising analyst at the William Alanson White Institute, New York. She is also an editorial board member of Contemporary Psychoanalysis.