Fifteen minute stories about training

Area of Science:

• Psychoanalysis
• Psychology
• Cultural Studies

Background:

• The International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP) 'router' program facilitated psychoanalytic training in Russia.
• Organizers (JW and CC) conducted training for over 12 years, bringing British analysts to Russia.
• The program involved a 'shuttle' model of supervision and personal analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experience of psychoanalytic training within the IAAP 'router' program in Russia.
• To examine the theme of 'Ancestors' in personal, professional, and social history through the lens of psychoanalytic training.
• To reflect on the flexibility and limitations of cross-cultural training models.

Main Methods:

• A panel presentation at a conference responding to the theme 'Ancestors in Personal, Professional and Social History'.
• Four analysts (three Russian, one Belarusian) shared personal stories about their training.
• Organizers (JW and CC) wrote a joint response reflecting on the shared stories and training model.

Main Results:

• Training stories illustrated value and ambivalence, focusing on mutual cultural adaptation without loss of identity.
• Participants moved from doctrinaire educational attitudes to embracing 'not knowing' and learning from mistakes.
• Key themes included protecting reflective space and acknowledging shared opportunities in the revival of psychoanalytic practice in Russia.

Conclusions:

• Cross-cultural psychoanalytic training requires flexibility and careful consideration of its limits.
• The program fostered mutual learning and adaptation between Russian and UK participants.
• The experience highlights the importance of context and timing in professional and cultural development.