Contemporary Psychoanalysis in Action

A roundup of psychoanalytic points of view

by The Contemporary Psychoanalysis Group

Psychotherapy and Bipolar Disorder

In a recent New York Times article, Linda Logan writes of her decades-long battle with bipolar disorder. As poignant as this story is, I couldn’t help wondering whether a good psychotherapist could have helped by asking the right questions. By Alan Slomowitz, Ph.D. Read More

Erotic Fantasies: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Erotic Fantasies: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. What our erotic fantasies might reveal about ourselves. By Max Belkin, Ph.D.. Read More

A Man Walks into a Therapist’s Office and Says He’s a Woman

It’s hard for me to imagine how the therapist felt when my friend J, who lives as a married man with several young children in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish enclave in the U.K., showed up for her first appointment dressed, as we trans people say, as herself. Read More

Prescription Drugs: How Do You Know Which Are Safe?

Prescription Drugs: How Do You Know Which Are Safe? Some things to consider when deciding whether or not to take a medication By Jason Powers, M.D. Read More

Infertility: Recognizing National Infertility Awareness Week

Infertility: In recognition of National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) This post is in recognition of National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), April 21-27. Infertility may cause psychological stress, but also provides an opportunity for growth By Anne Malavé, Ph.D. Read More

Becoming a Grandparent: A Developmental Milestone

Becoming a Grandparent is a Developmental Milestone. Generativity is at the heart of grandparenthood. By Ruth Imber, Ph.D. Read More

How Do We Define Bullying?

How Do We Define “Bullying”? Noted expert, Emily Bazelon, cautions against the misuse of the term “bullying.” Emily Bazelon will be speaking on the topic of bullying at The Parent Center of The William Alanson White Institute at 20 West 74th St in NYC, Wednesday, April 10th, 7 - 9pm. Read More

Where Do Babies Come From?

“Where Do Babies Come From?” Talking with children about assisted conception. Most parents get a little nervous the first time their young child asks the question, “Where do babies come from?” By Nancy Freeman-Carroll, Psy.D. Read More

When Therapists Envy Their Patients

Prominent analyst reflects on diagnosis as possible symptom of therapist insecurity. It is not unusual for therapists to have envious feelings toward patients who are extremely successful in their work. By Irwin Hirsch, Ph.D. Read More

Major League Player Comes Out as Gay?

Major League Player Comes Out as Gay? The groundwork is being laid for an active member of a major American sports team to come out and survive the act professionally. By Frank Marrocco, Ph.D. Read More

Why Do I Get So Hungry Right Before My Period?

Food, Sex Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle, By Susan Kolod, Ph.D. Hormones and the menstrual cycle affect eating behavior and body image This is the 3rd of 3 posts from the Eating Disorders, Compulsions and Addictions Service (EDCAS) of the William Alanson White Institute in recognition of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 24th through March 2th). Read More

It’s Never Just About the Food!

It’s Never Just About the Food! Puberty, Eating Disorders and the Self. By Jacqueline Ferraro, D.M.H. At puberty, unsettling feelings can be expressed in the language of food, calories, and control of weight. This is the 2nd of 3 posts from the Eating Disorders, Compulsions and Addictions Service (EDCAS) of the William Alanson White Institute. Read More

Eating Disorders: Desire Gone Haywire

Eating Disorders: Desire Gone Haywire: Musings on food, desire and bodies. By Jean Petrucelli, Ph.D., Director of the Eating Disorders, Compulsions and Addictions Program at the William Alanson White Institute. This is the 1st of 3 posts from the Eating Disorders, Compulsions and Addictions Service (EDCAS) of the William Alanson White Institute. Read More

I Promise You My Anger

I Promise You My Anger: Strange Bedfellows: Romantic Love and Anger By Max Belkin, Ph.D. Is it normal to feel anger, resentment, and even hatred towards the person you love? Read More

Physician, Reveal Thyself

Physician, Heal Thyself: When therapist and patient share a physical illness By Gayle Lewis, Ph.D. The issue that makes multiple sclerosis intolerable for both my patients and me is its very high level of unpredictability. Read More

Rage, Guns, Drugs and Therapy: the Jean Harris Murder Case

Women like Jean Harris were programmed to commit suicide, not homocide. The fact that she aimed the gun at Tarnower rather than herself made her case unique. Read More

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?"

The anguish of infertility dramatized in an American classic, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" Read More

The Male Biological Clock

Men, as well as women, are advised to attend to the tick-tock of the biological clock. Read More

Secrets and Health: Keeping Illness Hidden

Who’s got a secret? We all do I’m willing to bet more than one. Secrets are just part of life. And, among the secrets that some of us keep, are details about our health. Why is this, and what are the pros and cons of such hiding? Read More

Petraeus Affair Is Not A Public Affair

The CIA Director abruptly resigned citing his “extremely poor judgment” for “engaging in an extramarital affair.” I was stunned. I kept waiting to hear the more: that he had sexually harassed a subordinate, that he had compromised national security...but it appears he's had an affair and, well, that's it. Read More

A Date with Hurricane Sandy

Who did you choose to be with during a hurricane and how did it affect your relationship? Read More

Why Is It So Hard To Get Anyone To Change?

5 reasons why it's so difficult for us to change our behavior Read More

The Contemporary Psychoanalysis Group is affiliated with Contemporary Psychoanalysis, a peer reviewed journal currently published by the William Alanson White Institute and the William Alanson White Society.

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About Contemporary Psychoanalysis in Action

Contemporary Psychoanalysis in Action (CPIA) is a blog, edited by Susan Kolod, Ph.D. and Melissa Ritter, Ph.D. under the auspices of Contemporary Psychoanalysis, the official journal of the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis & Psychology. Our beat will be broad: the latest in scholarly research, social issues, political controversies, pop culture and current events. Our writers will be keeping an eye out for topics to examine with their unique psychoanalytic mindset; informing readers with a fresh and thoughtfully psychoanalytic angle.