We present three recent research projects from China on distance psychoanalytic training and treatment. The first study explored how the internet could influence the process of psychoanalysis in three ways. First, choosing to accept online psychoanalysis is itself meaningful to the patients. Second, the internet connection itself can also be an organic component of the psychoanalysis. Third, the patients could see the real-time images of themselves during the online psychoanalysis, which could influence the analytic process.
The second study found that psychoanalysis provides an important support to improve the process of individualisation among Chinese people. The results indicate that Chinese people have been through many traumatic events in the past century, such as civil wars, colonisation, and the Cultural Revolution. Through therapy, these hidden pains are expressed, understood, and healed. Psychoanalysis brings about a new dialectic relationship model: on the one hand, it is a very intimate relationship, you can talk and share everything in your life with a specific person; on the other hand, it is quite different from the traditional Chinese relationship model. They see psychoanalysis as a bridge, enabling the participants to achieve their connection with Chinese culture by using Chinese literature, art, religion, philosophy, to find their own path of individualisation.
The third study surveyed 163 graduates of a distance psychoanalytic programme and found that the graduates developed a strong identification with the psychoanalytic field, with private practice clinical hours increased and fees increased. Looking forward to the future, 92% of the respondents plan to be supervisors, 78% to be analysts, 73% to be teachers, 46% to be authors, and 36% to be speakers.
