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Welcome to the Chicago Psychoanalytic Society!
A Note from the President
During this week of Thanksgiving, the Society expresses its gratitude both to the presenters who inspired us and the participants who actively engaged in the last three months of programming. We began with a jolt, as Amy Levy broke through our resistance to thinking about AI and its relevance to psychoanalysis. Specifically, in exploring the potentials and consequences of this new container for human psychic life, she suggested how we, as analysts, with our unique skills in awakening the mind through discourse, may contribute to larger conversations about AI.
In October, Rachel Boue-Widawsky and Suzanne Rosenfeld offered guidance on how to read and think about French psychoanalysis. We learned about the integral role of psychoanalysis in French culture, i.e., as part of medical care, the humanities, academics, etc, which led participants to consider its potential to engage with contemporary issues in American society.
Last week, we were fortunate to host a presentation by three esteemed, senior Chicago psychoanalysts on "The Analysis of Retirement." Brenda Solomon, Neal Spira, and Lucy Freund shared their personal stories and analyses of the meaning of aging and retirement in the field of psychoanalysis. Over a hundred participants were so inspired by the presenters' depth of knowledge and candor that they stayed until the end and engaged in a lively discussion with them.
As we begin the holiday season and approach the end of the calendar year, we invite you to a special evening of celebration on Tuesday, December 16th, at the University Club, where we will honor the past, present, and future of our psychoanalytic community. The night will begin at 6 pm with food and merriment — precious time to socialize in person and celebrate the Society and the season. At 7 pm, Librarian and archivist John Leonard will offer a glimpse of the Society's vast collection of works presented since 1942. The event will mark the official unveiling of the digitization of the Society Archives, which will be available to all Society members on this website, and serve as a resource for study, research, and improved understanding of the history and development of psychoanalytic ideas. John Leonard will also instruct viewers on how to locate and search the archive. An hour-long discussion with the in-person and Zoom audiences will follow the audio-visual presentation. For more information and to register, please click here.
We hope you will find the papers, presentations, doodles, and audio of the voices of our past inspirational, as we marvel at the development and exchange of ideas in the rich history of psychoanalysis in Chicago. We look forward to gathering with all who are psychoanalytically minded for a night of merriment and appreciation.
All those interested in psychoanalysis are welcome!
Stephanie Fariss
Upcoming Program co-sponsored by: The Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute
The Archives of the Chicago Presenters: John Leonard, Archivist/Librarian Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 7:00 – 9:00 PM Central time In person at the University Club, and by Zoom *For those attending in person, a celebratory reception will begin at 6:00 pm and the presentation will begin at 7:00pm* DRESS: Festive Business Casual!
Description: This talk will examine the scientific presentations given by society members since 1942 (and possibly earlier). The collection contains an estimated 900 separate digital files. In some cases, a file may include only an announcement of a particular presentation, while in other cases it may include the announcement, an abstract, the written version of the presentation and responses to it. These documents contain many handwritten corrections by the authors or comments by attendees. In examining theses works one can glean an overall process that goes into writing psychoanalytic papers. Many of these presentations have never been published, and even presentations that were eventually published often contain unique elements that may have been edited out of the published version. These materials shed light on the thought processes of the speakers and help fill in gaps in the knowledge of the history of psychoanalysis. Agenda: Celebratory reception at 6:00pm 7:00pm: presentation 8:00pm: discussion with audience Learning Objectives: After attending this session, participants should be able to:
The Presenter:
John Leonard John Leonard has been the librarian for the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute since 2015, and became the Society's archivist in the summer of 2025. In these positions, he has sought ways to realize the potential clinical, historical, organizational and marketing value of the archival materials held by both organizations. Continuing Education Credits are offered exclusively to Society members in all membership categories and those intending to join. The presenters, Brenda Solomon, Neal Spira, and Lucy Freund, and the organizer, Lisa Karaitis, PsyD, have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to report. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. ACCME Accreditation Statement: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association (APsA) and the Chicago Psychoanalytic Society. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. AMA Credit Designation Statement: The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Disclosure Statement: The APsA CE Committee has reviewed the materials for accredited continuing education and has determined that this activity is not related to the product line of ineligible companies and therefore, the activity meets the exception outlined in Standard 3: ACCME's identification, mitigation and disclosure of relevant financial relationship. This activity does not have any known commercial support. Accreditation Information for Professionals Other Than Physicians. The Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content, in relation to accreditation for CE credits for non-physicians. CPI is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to sponsor continuing education credits for (license numbers in parentheses): Social Workers (159.000122), Professional Counselors (197.000202), Marriage and Family Therapy Therapists (168.00204), and Clinical Psychologists (268.000091). Eligible professionals will receive 2.0 continuing education credits for attending the entire program. To receive these credits an evaluation form must be completed online. Learners must claim the amount of time spent in the educational activity and that will be the amount of credit they will earn. REGISTER NOW |
Mission
Organized June 8, 1931 and accepted as a Constituent Society by the American Psychoanalytic Association in 1932, the Society's mission is to advance the field of psychoanalysis through the promotion of education and research by its members and the the community-at-large; to maintain and promote professional and ethical standards of the profession; to promote professional activities of its members by assisting career development and generating marketing opportunities; and to enhance the vitality of the Society by encouraging a diversity of opinion, assessing the interests of its members, facilitating member involvement in Society activities and fostering a collegial community. The Society is committed to maintaining an educational environment free from sexual harassment, sexual violence, and discrimination based on race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by law. It also strives to initiate, welcome, and maintain ongoing conversations and discussions related to inclusivity among its members and the community-at-large. |
