Training analysis is a process where a student of psychoanalysis undergoes analysis in an effort to understand the process and to attain greater self-awareness. This type of analysis is performed by a training analyst who specializes in this kind of psychoanalysis. The practice typically forms the core of the analyst training process.
One of the most important goals of training analysis is to give students a deeper understanding of the process of psychoanalysis. This can help them to develop compassion for and understanding of the patient. It is also often a useful way to acquire an intimate understanding of how a session works and which methods are most effective.
Training analysis also gives students the opportunity to learn more about themselves. By understanding their own nature, many students are more likely to understand their patient’s emotions as well. This process also helps students to understand more about how they function mentally and thus how they might best interact with others.
A student may undergo training analysis during or before taking other courses. Some in the field recommend completing analysis before any further training, in order to approach studies with an open mind and deeper understanding of the process. It is believed that this process can also help students to determine if they are truly suited to psychoanalysis. If the training sessions are not productive, then it is likely that a student will be a poor candidate for the profession.
While training analysis is a part of the process of becoming an analyst, it is typically not performed on a campus. Students usually arrange for and pay for their own sessions with training analysts. In many cases, these professionals will offer lower student rates.
It has been suggested by some in the field of psychoanalysis that students who successfully become analysts should continue to participate in analysis. By repeating the process every few years, it is believed that analysts will renew their understanding of the process and themselves to the benefit of their patients. Analysis can also help analysts to manage the emotional intensity of the profession.
After training analysis, a student of psychoanalysis will also typically engage in both supervised and unsupervised clinical work. Supervised work is a series of sessions where a senior analyst observes while the student works with a patient. In most cases, a student is allowed to conduct unsupervised sessions only upon the recommendation of the observing supervisor from those sessions.
