In a message dated 97-10-28 05:17:33 EST, you write:

<< Dear David,
 You wrote:
 Is this forum still active?

 How long have you had this feeling?   Ross
  >>

Dear Ross,

Should I sit up, or use the couch? :)

Seriously, I got so few postings in recent weeks, one would think that
psychoanalysis had suddenly become extinct!

That psychodynamics have become virtually neglected or denied in certain
circles is evident from the discussions I've had on another, "Clinical
Psychology" forum I've participated in lately, where everything is so
medicalized and where psychoanalysis is viewed as "unscientific" and thus
more fitting for coffee shop talk.  Quite narrow-minded, ideological types
who make all sorts of generalizations about psychoanalysis, while leaving out
much of the empirical and clinical research which would undermine their
contentions (like the research on the efficacy of psychoanalytic therapy, the
meta-analyses of which generally give it an equal footing with other
therapies, in terms of symptom-reduction).  This latter forum could lead me
to believe that many or most of my clinical psychology peers tried getting
into medical school but failed!  (Many of them are pushing for prescription
privileges.)  Or that they have such little confidence in their ability to
understand the mind, they prefer to see themselves as behavioral
technologists who "do" all sorts of things for their patients to help them
"get better."  So I suggested that if that's how they define themselves, why
not formally and fully integrate psychology with psychiatry
("psychiatrology"?), and then designate another field that emphasizes
psychotherapy as a hermeneutic or observational (ala Brenner) science--but
one which takes place outside of organized health care, so as not to confuse
medicalized with psychological models of understanding.

What a fantasy!

Regards,

David

David Mittelman