Who dismisses lay analysts in this sense? Not even analysts do anymore (as evidenced by the acceptance of psychologists into analytic programs). You said not involving a "professional." Freud was talking about physicians.

I just meant that, if you want some kind of psychoanalysis, you don't necessarily need to go the professional route. Medically trained psychoanalysts don't really have a clear advantage over lay analysts in terms of insight.

Oh sure. Agreed.