THE DISSEMINATIONOFTHE BERLIN MODELOFPSYCHOANALYTIC TRAINING: A SKETCH OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COMMISSION 1925–19381

This paper sketches the history of the International Training Commission (ITC). Founded in 1925 to propagate the Berlin system of psychoanalytic training with its tripartite structure and the exclusive responsibility of the Training Committee in training matters, the Commission went through several storms (lay analysis), seemed to have reached quiet waters when in 1932 IPA guidelines for training were passed, but under the constant pressure of American opposition had to give up all legislative and controlling powers in 1936, changing into a mere platform of sharing experiences, until it was finally paralysed when in 1938 American psychoanalysis declared its organizational independence of the IPA. The Berlin system of training spread all the same, but it did so by different means. In an Appendix a correspondence between Franz Alexander and Max Eitingon of February/March 1938 is documented, dealing with the ‘Marienbad affair’ and with the issue of American independence from ITC regulation. Der Beitrag skizz...