Psychiatric education and the future of psychoanalysis

Given all that is invested in psychoanalytic training and practice, it is understandable that psychoanalysts wish to view the future as promising. Those who have contributed to the development of The Academy can be proud of their past and present efforts, and undoubtedly hope that these contributions will be lasting. However, to ensure the future of The Academy, we must invest in education. Whatever the location of the psychoanalytic institute, the location of medical training will always be in the universities. As psychoanalysts, we must remain visible to the medical student; we must participate actively in the training of the psychiatric resident. We must be able to demonstrate the relevance of psychoanalysis. Exactly what lies ahead is uncertain, but without a commitment to education there will be no future. Because of its history, The Academy has a special opportunity to ensure the future of psychoanalytic contributions to psychiatry.