John Watkins, PhD, ABPP

As President of the American Board and Academy of Psychoanalysis (ABAPsa), I would like to offer a warm welcome to all psychologists interested in the specialty of Psychoanalysis.

As a merged board and academy, our mission is twofold:  First, to establish educational and training standards necessary for board certification in the practice of psychoanalysis for psychologists in North America. These standards are inclusive and pluralistic, expressing our board’s commitment to recognizing the diversity of orientations and interests that constitute the psychoanalytic perspective.  Education and training must meet the generic standards required of all psychological specialties as set forth by ABPP in addition to those required specifically for board certification in psychoanalysis. Appointed Board Directors review each candidate’s credentials and practice samples as well as conduct oral examinations to establish competency in Psychoanalysis.  ABPP is the only multi-board organization recognized by the American Psychological Association's Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology (CRSPPP).  It is the highest level of certification within the field of psychology.  

The second focus of our efforts is the development of our academy. The functions of our academy are to promote psychoanalysis within the public arena as well as to offer benefits to our fellows. This year, we completely redesigned our website (www.ABAPsa.org), placing theoretical plurality, diversity, social justice, and evidence-based practice at the center of our online presence. Our website provides a searchable directory of our fellows and other information of interest to the public. In addition to our very successful annual book award program, now in its 6th year, our academy is continuing two other projects. The first is an annual eBook series, Psychoanalytic Plurality in Theory and Praxis. The eBook has a worldwide distribution.  A second project is our online scholarly journal, Metalepsis: Journal of the American Board and Academy of Psychoanalysis, edited by Jeffrey S. Librett of the University of Oregon. The aim of the journal is to publish advanced work in psychoanalytic research on topics of contemporary importance in the theoretical, clinical, and cultural domains. You can find links to our eBook and Metalepsis on our website.

Do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to learn more about board certification in Psychoanalysis, and please visit our website at www.ABAPsa.org.

Thank you.

John M. Watkins, PhD, ABPP
Board Certified in Psychoanalysis
Board Certified in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
President, American Board and Academy of Psychoanalysis
johnwatkinsphd@gmail.com


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