Psychoanalysts to Convene at National Meeting, January 13 - 17, 2010

January 4, 2010

Contact: Jake Lynn

Director of Public Affairs

(212) 752-0450 ext. 29

Jlynn@apsa.org

 

 

 

 

New York, NY- The 2010 National Meeting of the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) will be held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City from January 13-17. Nearly 2,000 psychoanalysts, students, and other mental health professionals are expected to attend the meeting, which kicks off the Association’s 99^th birthday. A wide variety of current social issues will be addressed, including the impact of health care reform on the mental health field; the effects of bullying in schools; and the launch of a new research society to strengthen the ties between psychoanalysis and the revolutionary advances being made within neuroscience. Media are invited to attend any of the open sessions.

 

In addition to discussion groups covering traditional areas of psychoanalytic concern around relationships, dreams, and child therapy, a new addition featured prominently isThe Plight of Adolescence in America, with two New York City public school leaders taking part in various symposia. 

 

T. Elijah Hawkes, M.S. Ed. and Principal of The James Baldwin School will explore the important roles educators play in nurturing the development of adolescent identity (Jan. 15^th, Noon -1:30pm).  Participants will explore the rap poetry of a fifteen year old African American male, whom Mr. Hawkes knew for 90 days before the student was incarcerated. Thomas Krever, who is the founder of the Harvey Milk School, will serve on a panel that examines the deep scars that bullying leaves on both victims and the bullies themselves if school officials and parents refuse to intervene. 

 

Another presentation of immediate interest is "A psychoanalytic view of the past year’s global economic meltdown and recovery" (Jan. 15^th, 2:00pm).   This presentation will suggest how the 2008 financial crisis was the culmination of an accelerating process of financial market evolution that is inherently unstable. From his viewpoint, David Tuckett, visiting professor from University College London and member of the British Psychoanalytical Society, will explain how markets are not equipped to manage the power that financial assets have to generate emotion and their wider effect on human imagination and judgment. This phenomenon occurs because the excitement of potential gain becomes disconnected from the anxiety of potential loss. “Group think” and “bubbles” may occur until anxiety breaks through and the catastrophic loss of confidence becomes inevitable. Then, the emotional pain of accepting responsibility prevents lessons being learned. Drawing on a 2007 interview study of international fund managers, Mr. Tuckett will further explain how agents were compelled to overvalue opportunities and to underestimate risks. 

 

Other topical areas that will be discussed include:

Additionally, APsaA will launch the creation of the Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Research Society (PPRS) a new independent research society that will strengthen the ties between the rapid advances being made in neurological science with the traditional teachings of psychoanalysis. Appropriately, world-renowned neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks will be awarded Honorary Membership during the event to launch PPRS. 

 

Finally, the Meeting will be capped off by a special symposium on Jan. 16^th involving the writing staff behind the hit HBO series In TREATMENT, which stars Gabriel Byrne, Hope Davis and Diane West. APsaA member and psychiatric advisor to In TREATMENT, Justin Richardson, M.D. will discuss the challenges of putting an analyst on the screen and capturing the truth of psychodynamic work without sacrificing drama.   

 

Contact Jake Lynn at 212.752.0450 ext. 29 or at jlynn@apsa.org for press passes or more information on any of the sessions open to the media.