Overcoming systemic racial and economic obstacles, SAPA graduates “homegrown” psychoanalysts

The South African Psychoanalytical Association (SAPA), a nonprofit organization, has dramatically increased the reach of psychoanalytic thought and psychoanalysis for people with histories of apartheid, racism, and trauma in South Africa. Notably, SAPA established the first psychoanalytic society accredited by the International Psychoanalytical Association on the African continent and helped deconstruct racist barriers within psychoanalysis and psychoanalytical training. Through clinical, applied, and community work, SAPA has enhanced access to psychoanalysis across all economic and demographic boundaries for South Africa’s people.