The use of a simple writing task to enhance psychoanalytic education

Abstract

The authors describe a simple recurrent writing task called the “Two Page Paper Exercise,” designed to enhance candidates’ learning of analytic theory and technique. They set this task in the context of other analytic institutes’ writing programs and show that this exercise is unique. Their educational philosophy is that, as candidates confront multiple perspectives in contemporary psychoanalysis, this writing task develops their ability to conceptualize, reflect on their learning, integrate affect and cognition, and express their ideas to others in written form and in discussion with peers. The candidate group develops cohesion that reduces writing anxiety. As individuals they develop a writing habit that supports the eventual duty to develop the field of psychoanalysis through publishing. The authors present raw data from candidates’ writing for readers to make their own assessment of the usefulness of the task as a measure of candidates’ integration of learning, development of analytic sensibility and synthetic capacity, and communication of experience and ideas to others.

Key words:

• psychoanalysis
• development
• analytic identity

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the generous contributions of Flora Barragan, Ryan Garcia, Stefanie Minen, Andi Pilecki, Matthew Rosa, and Karen Sherwood of the International Institute for Psychoanalytic Training.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jill Savege Scharff

Authors

Jill Savege Scharff MD FABP is a founder, past chair (2004–2010), and supervising analyst of the International Institute for Psychoanalytic Training, Chevy Chase, MD; a teaching analyst at the Washington-Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis; and clinical professor of psychiatry, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA.

Caroline M. Sehon

Caroline M. Sehon MD FABP is director of the International Psychotherapy Institute; past chair (2017–2019) and supervising analyst of the International Institute for Psychoanalytic Training, Chevy Chase, MD; and clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA.