Academic Membership – American Psychoanalytic Association

Academic Membership

Welcome Academics, Scholars, and Researchers.

Academic Members are individuals who have completed or are enrolled in a psychoanalytically focused academic and/or research program of education offered by one of APsA’s Institutes, Centers, or Affiliate Societies, a substantially equivalent program, or for those Academics or Researchers who have demonstrated a psychoanalytic approach to their scholarship, teaching, or research. Academic Members have voting privileges.

Member Benefits for Academics and Researchers

One of the most important reasons for belonging to the American Psychoanalytic Association is to become part of the Community and the voice that advocates for psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic theory and values across the country. APsA membership helps you to:

Participate in the Advancement of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Thought

Advocate for the highest standards of psychoanalytic treatment, education, and scientific inquiry.
Support a scientific/humanistic treatment approach that promotes individual freedom and growth.
Foster public understanding and study of the human condition

Be Heard

Vote and participate in APsA’s elections
Engage in the varied committees
Educate the public about psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic therapies and psychoanalytic theory

Enhance Your Psychoanalytic Education and Research

Receive a significant discount on registration fees for the APsA’s biannual meetings.
Participate in national scientific meetings, study groups, public dialogues and scientific publications.
APsA offers social, scientific, and political networking opportunities – the Association is small enough for all members to be meaningfully involved, yet large enough to provide a diversity of experiences and perspectives.
Receive preferred subscription rates to the Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association.
Get a free subscription to APsA’s magazine, The American Psychoanalyst.
Receive timely news and announcements from APsA.

Eligibility for Academic Membership - How to Join

Academics or scholars who have completed an academic (non-clinical) psychoanalytic training program at an APsA approved training facility, or those who demonstrate an emphasis on psychoanalysis in their teaching or scholarship, are eligible to join APsA as an Academic Member to expand and develop their academic and scholarly professions as well as support the principles of psychoanalysis.

Academics/Scholars who completed a non-clinical program at an APsA approved training facility can apply for Academic Membership, please follow the below steps:

1. Click here to complete the online academic membership application.
2. Forward the Institute/Center Verification Form to the APsA approved training facility’s Director along with a copy of the application that you completed online. The Institute/Center should return the completed form to the National Office by emailing it to: [email protected] (an electronic signature or email verification will be sufficient from the Director/EC Chair)

Academics and scholars enrolled in an academic (non-clinical) training in an APsA approved training facility are eligible to join as an Academic-In-Training Member.

Coming soon: For Academics/Scholars who trained outside of an APsA approved training facility – An application for scholars/academics who have completed a substantially equivalent academic (non-clinical) psychoanalytic program or who can demonstrate a psychoanalytic approach to their scholarship or teaching is being developed. If you are interested in applying, please contact membership services ([email protected]) to be added to the Expanded Pathway Academic Member application waitlist.

Note: Membership in the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA), which is a separate organization from APsA, is limited to those who have completed formal clinical psychoanalytic training that meets the IPA’s training standards.

Eligibility for Researcher Members - How to Join

Individuals who have completed a non-clinical research psychoanalytic program at an APsA approved training facility, or those who demonstrate an emphasis on psychoanalysis in their research or scientific work, can join APsA as a Researcher Member to expand and develop their research as well as support the principles of psychoanalysis.

Researchers who completed a non-clinical program at an APsA approved training facility can apply to become a Researcher Member, please follow the below steps:

1. Click here to complete the online membership application.
2. Forward the Institute/Center Verification Form to the APsA approved training facility’s Director along with a copy of the application that you completed online. The Institute/Center should return the completed form to the National Office by emailing it to: [email protected] (an electronic signature or email verification will be sufficient from the Director/EC Chair).

Researchers enrolled in a non-clinical psychoanalytic research training program in an APsA approved training facility are eligible to join as a Researcher-In-Training Member.

Coming soon: For Researchers Trained Outside of an APsA approved training facility – An application for Researchers who completed a substantially equivalent research training program and demonstrate an emphasis on psychoanalysis in their research or scientific work is being developed. Please contact membership services ([email protected]) to be added to the Expanded Pathway Researcher application waitlist.

Note: Membership in the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA), which is a separate organization from APsA, is limited to those who have completed formal clinical psychoanalytic training that meets the IPA’s training standards.

The APsA Membership Year begins on January 1 through December 31. Annual Member Dues are due by January 31st. Renewal invoices are mailed in early November as well as become available in the member portal. For additional information, please visit: apsa.org/membership-dues.

New members who join between July and December will be processed for the following calendar year of membership and receive bonus months added on and new JAPA subscriptions will begin at the start of the following calendar year.

New membership applications cannot be processed the day of any APsA meeting (virtual or in-person). Applications must be completed online by 2 business days (M-F) in advance of the registration deadline to register at the discounted fee.

APsA membership categories are linked to the type of training completed and cannot be switched based on professional or life changes.