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Mary-Joan Gerson Ph.D.

About

Mary-Joan Gerson, Ph.D., ABPP, is an Adjunct Clinical Professor, Supervisor and has served as the Director of the Advanced Specialization in Couple and Family Therapy at the New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. Active in Division 39 of the APA, Dr. Gerson is the Founding President of Section VIII, Couples and Family Therapy, as well as Founding Co-Chair of the Committee on Psychoanalysis and Health, and the Committee on Psychoanalysis and Community. She is the author of many journal articles and book chapters including a full-length book, The Embedded Self: An Integrative Psychodynamic and Systemic Perspective on Couples and Family Therapy (second edition. 2009); Routledge. She has served in Nigeria in the Peace Corps, had a Fulbright Fellowship in Namibia, and has taught all over the world, as well as published five award-winning cross-cultural books for children.

Books by Mary-Joan Gerson Ph.D.
Recent Posts
Laughing Through Our Tears
Can we laugh through our tears? Buddhist thinking and resilience research endorse humor in the face of pain. We might reconsider the importance of humor in psychotherapy.
Candle with Cempasuchil orange flowers or Marigold.
El Día de los Muertos: Reuniting With Those Who’ve Died

Not everyone invites the dead to return once a year as Mexicans do. But how pleasurable it is to imagine such a visit—the preparation, the laughter, the reminiscences.

Not everyone invites the dead to return once a year as Mexicans do. But how pleasurable it is to imagine such a visit—the preparation, the laughter, the reminiscences.

Voice controlled smart speaker.
An Alexa Seance: Conversations With Those Who’ve Died

Amazon’s Alexa will likely allow us to have "conversations" with those who’ve died. But won't this opportunity weaken our ability to let the dead grow and expand in our memory?

Amazon’s Alexa will likely allow us to have "conversations" with those who’ve died. But won't this opportunity weaken our ability to let the dead grow and expand in our memory?

Yellow heart made of flower petals on dark background
Expanding Our Cultural Experience to Include the Inevitability of Grief

As grief has a more prominent role in today's society, we must be courageous in embracing raw, intense sadness and creating space for darkness.

As grief has a more prominent role in today's society, we must be courageous in embracing raw, intense sadness and creating space for darkness.

Death after life or afterlife concept as a reincarnation symbol or suicide and moving on as a transition to heaven or eternity i
How to Let Grief Grow and Keep the Dead Alive

How can we comfortably keep the dead alive in our minds and in our familial and friendship relationships?

How can we comfortably keep the dead alive in our minds and in our familial and friendship relationships?

Emboldened by Email: Walking the Talk

Does email (as well as its cousin, texting) provide a constant distraction from being present with one another?

Does email (as well as its cousin, texting) provide a constant distraction from being present with one another?

Is Offline Sexier?

Electronic acuity is required but its nimble execution maybe even more painful to the unsuspecting partner.

Electronic acuity is required but its nimble execution maybe even more painful to the unsuspecting partner.