ANZAP was formed in 1987 to improve opportunities for the exchange of ideas, to establish a regular training program in contemporary psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and from time to time a supervisor training program for those who have received training.

History
ANZAP arose out of the psychotherapy program developed and run since 1983 by the Psychotherapy Unit, University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, where the ideas of Russell Meares and the late Robert Hobson which began to develop in 1965 in the United Kingdom, linked here in Sydney with those of Kohut’s Self Psychology, the humanistic tones of which resonated with their ideas. Based on their many years of combined clinical experience, and the clinical experience developed within this unit, it took a new direction and came to be known as the Conversational Model.

The Conversational Model
Self is conceived as a particular form of mental activity, or process, the dynamic and moving form of which is manifest in the stream of consciousness (William James) and in certain kinds of conversation. The theoretical framework of the Conversational Model depends mainly on the development of self in relationship, and the integration of unconscious traumatic memory. It has integrated psychoanalytic understanding with research in the fields of trauma and developmental theory, linguistics, memory and neurophysiology, in a way that is applicable in day-to-day psychotherapeutic practice, and can be taught through the supervision of audio-taped sessions with patients and clients, complemented with didactic seminars and reading material. It has been and continues to be scientifically tested and has been recognized internationally as a significant development in the treatment of those with severe emotional disorders. It continues to evolve while maintaining its core features.

Seminars & Publications
ANZAP publishes a Bulletin three times a year and presents a bi-monthly seminar on contemporary issues in psychotherapy with a mix of clinical and theoretical content. It has published 7 editions of The Self in Conversation, a yearly journal of articles related to the Conversational Model. Although this is no longer being published it is possible to purchase past editions (see below).

The Annual Conference
With invited and submitted papers, interesting key-note speakers and workshops is the highlight of the year and attracts quite considerable interest in the psychotherapy community.

Training
Several Training programs have been successfully conducted over the years in Christchurch, Sydney, Melbourne, Townsville, Canberra, and currently in Hobart.