Changes in psychoanalytic therapy in Europe over three decades. Then and now

In 1988, the APP hosted a conference on psychoanalytic psychotherapy (PP) in the public sector in other European countries. This taught us that Britain had much to learn from other countries as well as much to share. The APP realised the need for a European Federation of PP in the public sector (EFPP) to represent and facilitate the field. The APP therefore joined with representatives from the Association of Child Psychotherapy and the Institute of Group Analysis and in 1991 formally created such an organisation by linking with similar representatives from European Union countries. This article takes an overview of PP in European countries, comparing the situation now in 2022 with the time of the founding of the EFPP in 1991. Despite significant setbacks in some countries, the indications are that PP has made very significant process in most countries in terms of the number of training organisations and practitioners in all four EFPP sections. The impact on public mental health provision is impressive in some countries but remains limited if not very limited in many. The article reviews some of the factors that have led to progress and setbacks, pinpointing ‘lessons’ and warning signs.