Psychoanalytic Supervision by Bhaskar Sripada, MD

       Bhaskar Sripada invites readers into a vivid, firstperson account of his work supervising a candidate treating a child. Through nearverbatim transcripts of the first 29 sessions, paired with his own reflections, the book offers an intimate look at how supervision can nurture a candidate’s integration of psychoanalytic principles into their own clinical style while supporting the development of a personally grounded analytic identity.

       At the heart of the book is Sripada’s model of Essential Psychoanalysis—an integrative framework that reaffirms Freud’s foundational concepts of the unconscious, transference, and resistance while incorporating insights from instinct theory, ego psychology, relational and self psychology, and neuropsychoanalysis. Supervision emerges as a dynamic interplay between supervisor and supervisee, grounded in their shared commitment to understanding and helping the patient.

Praise for Psychoanalytic Supervision by Bhaska Sripada

      In Psychoanalytic Supervision, Dr. Bhaskar Sripada illuminates the profound relationship between supervisor and supervisee, offering keen insights into the nuances of transference, countertransference, and the therapeutic alliance. Dr. Sripada’s approach to psychoanalytic supervision—rooted in Essential Psychoanalysis—highlights the importance of adaptability and flexibility within the therapeutic relationship, acknowledging the complex interplay of cultural, emotional, and theoretical factors. He uses his own longterm supervision of a child case conducted in another culture to provide a comprehensive view of psychoanalytic supervision. This book is an  engaging and invaluable tool for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the psychoanalytic process.
—HARRIET L. WOLFE, M.D., President, International Psychoanalytical Association

      Bhaskar Sripada and his supervisee have gifted us a unique glimpse into the world of psychoanalytic supervision. In this rich volume, they relate how an Indian psychoanalyst and a Chinese supervisee establish a supervisory alliance that provides a psychoanalytic entry into the network inhabited by their schoolage patient and her family. Along the way, Dr. Sripada presents us with a multilayered introduction to the essentials of the psychoanalytic process and the challenges of communicating these fundamentals across cultures. It’s a treasure for anyone who wants to learn more about working with children. Furthermore, it’s an excellent resource for anyone interested in the practicalities of psychoanalytic supervision and the intersection of theory, clinical work, and education within the supervisory context. I highly recommend it to anyone curious about what it means to think psychoanalytically and how to pass that knowledge on to those eager to learn from us.
—NEAL SPIRA, M.D., Past Dean, Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute

      Dr. Sripada offers us a unique, creative, and compelling view of psychoanalytic supervision, enriching the literature of psychoanalytic training. With “experience near” descriptions and reflections on the supervisory process with a child analytic student in training, he shares details of clinical work with a child case that highlight the most essential psychoanalytic dynamic concepts (unconscious, transference, countertransference, resistance) from various theoretical perspectives—ego psychology, self and relational, developmental, and neuropsychoanalytic perspectives. New and experienced clinicians have much to gain from this significant contribution to our field. Well done, Dr. Sripada!
—MARK D. SMALLER, Ph.D., Past President, American Psychoanalytic Association