Psychoanalytic Supervision in a Heterogeneous Theoretical Context: Benefits and Complications

Abstract

This paper explores the influences of a heterogeneous psychoanalytic training setting, such as the Israel Psychoanalytic Institute, on the individual supervision of trainees. While this kind of institute reduces the dangers of submission, uniformity and indoctrination, it creates its own difficulties, “the perils of diversity.” The examples offered include the impact of divergent views of analyzability; aspirations encouraged by certain theoretical models, which may be frustrated in a supervision guided by different views; and controversies regarding psychoanalytic technique, which may confuse a candidate and create inconsistency vis-à-vis the analysand. The open joint exploration of such issues, and of their influence on the supervisory process, is strongly recommended.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

An earlier version of this paper was presented at a panel, Disruptions and Working Through in the Supervisory Process, held at the 47th Congress of the International Psychoanalytic Association, Mexico City, August 2011.

Notes

¹ A powerful example is Joan Riviere’s comment to her supervisee, Marion Milner: “If you don’t do what I say what’s the good of your coming!” (Sayers, 2000, p. 64; Berman, 2013).

² To be accurate, I must clarify that this is true regarding questions such as “What is curative in analysis?” or “What is the best analytic technique?” where I am skeptical of definitive generalized answers. In matters of training, on the other hand, my views are quite militant, favoring greater autonomy and lesser interference with the candidates’ development (Berman, 1998, 2000b, 2004).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Emanuel Berman

Emanuel Berman, Ph.D., is a Training and Supervising Analyst at the Israel Psychoanalytic Institute; a Professor of Psychology at the University of Haifa; Chief International Editor, Psychoanalytic Dialogues; author, Impossible Training: A Relational View of Psychoanalytic Education; editor, Hebrew translations of Freud, Ferenczi, Winnicott, Balint, Britton, Ogden, Aron, and others.