A supervised psychoanalysis or psychoanalysis under supervision is a form of psychoanalytic treatment in which the psychoanalyst afterwards discusses the psychological content of the treatment, both manifest and latent, with a senior, more experienced colleague.[1]
The analyst who provides the supervision is called a supervising analyst (or less frequently supervisory analyst).
Training
Since 1925, supervised analyses have been a mandatory part of an aspiring analyst's psychoanalytic training within the International Psychoanalytical Association; and most training institutes ascribe great value to the experience of such an individual relationship about an analytic relationship.[2]
The danger of uncritically applying insights drawn from the supervision directly to the analysis is however also recognised; and some would stress the importance of developing one's own internal supervisor, as opposed to merely reproducing someone else's thinking in the session.[4]
Length
The term "supervised analysis" is flexible. It can be applied to such treatment lasting over several years or to a single session; while even practicing analysts will sometimes seek supervision and discuss a challenging case with a senior colleague,[5] or resort to ongoing supervision at times of analytic difficulty.[6]
Fleming, Joan; Benedek, Therese (1966), Psychoanalytic Supervision: A Method of Clinical Teaching, International Universities Press. Pp. 252, ISBN0-8236-5041-3
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