Finding Control Cases and Maintaining Immersion: Challenges and Opportunities

Given that surveys, as well as frequent observations by institute faculty, indicate that many candidates have difficulty finding control cases and maintaining immersion and that many graduate analysts face similar challenges, it would seem that psychoanalytic training does not prepare candidates adequately for finding patients and practicing analysis while in training and, for many, after they have graduated. Although external challenges are formidable, it is by identifying and making use of internal challenges to finding cases that candidates can develop an analytic mind: the identity, approach, and skills necessary not only to graduate but to have the choice to practice clinical psychoanalysis post-graduation. Some of the internal challenges and their manifestations in different phases of initiating analysis (referrals, initial consultation, recommendation) are discussed and two detailed examples are offered to illustrate the productive use of candidates' countertransferences in finding cases and maintaining immersion. Finally, recommendations for institutional solutions are provided.