IACFP's Presentation

THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COUPLE AND FAMILY PSYCHOANALYTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY

Head Office: 154 rue d’Alésia, 75014, Paris, France

History and Definition

The IACFPP was born on the North American continent in the summer of 2006 during the second international congress in Montreal.

For two years, we worked towards this goal with practitioners coming mainly from Europe, North America, Central and South America. Despite our linguistic difficulties, and other obstacles we managed to gather various therapists who worked psychoanalytically with families and couples. These therapists shared the view that families and couples are groups that function in a specific psychic manner

We defined the basis of the shared theoretical foundations as:’ Couples and family psychoanalysis (CFP) is based on psychoanalytic theories. Given an appropriate frame, its goal is to facilitate the analysis of unconscious processes in both families and couples. To do so, it rests on the development and the amplification of transference and counter transference (Statutes article 2)


Objectives

The association was primarily created to foster and to develop these practices and theories
The proposed international exchanges promote communication between the various PFC therapists and their respective associations. Their goal is also to become more visible to potential patients and to interested therapists The association intends to promote vigorously theoretical research so as to renew and to elaborate concepts. Likewise, it proposes clinical/theoretical studies, publications and scientific activities

A bi-annual International Congress also permits a broader visibility of all the activities and outputs. Congresses also provide a space to refine teaching contents and methods designed to prepare PCF therapists.


On a Policy level

The Association emphasizes its focus on public health and prevention. It will assist in the development of PCF Associations in countries where these are lacking.

Organizational Structure

The Association’s statute was registered at the Préfecture de Police de Paris, subject to French law which governs non-profit organizations since July 1, 1901. The statutes allow the admission of ‘’member associations’’ as well as individual members. They define four key functions: executive committee, board of directors, representation from the various associations, and the scientific council.

There are 600 members and 37 associations in the IAPCF.