Skip to main content

Summer 2009

Note from the Director and Co-Director
Elizabeth Carr and Maxine Ellenberg Arnsdorf

Summer is in full swing and we hope you are enjoying some time off and finding it rejuvenating. In the meantime, ICP&P is gearing up for the fall and the beginning of another exciting year.

We are especially enthusiastic about launching the Relational Perspectives Institute (RPI) and want to recognize the Chair, Roger Segalla, for his outstanding effort on this project.

Over the summer, the Chairs of our three training programs are in the process of meeting with applicants and planning for the 2009 – 2010 academic year. We are grateful to the four Chairs: Sandra Hershberg (Psychoanalytic) and Barbara Shapard (Couples) and Co-Chairs Faith Lewis and Adina Shapiro (Psychotherapy). We also want to express our appreciation to Susan Gorman who is the Coordinator of Training.

On the Program side, Sharon Ballard and Tripp Reed are completing plans for the upcoming year. See their article in this issue of the Newsletter which includes registration information for the October 10 conference with Lewis Aron, PhD. Thanks to Sharon and Tripp for all their hard work.

The information for membership for 2009 – 2010 will be sent out at the beginning of August. This includes a dues invoice and membership directory form. We ask that you respond promptly so that we can get the directory completed in a timely fashion. Any member experiencing financial difficulties that make paying the full dues a hardship, please contact Margo Silberstein, Co-Coordinator of Membership, to discuss this. We do not want anyone to discontinue membership in ICP&P because of financial concerns.

The impact of the current economic situation on our members as well as our clients was discussed at several Board meetings. Jeffrey Jay, with the assistance of Brad Brenner, has developed a survey on this issue using Survey Monkey. You will be receiving an explanatory email with a link to the survey shortly. We would appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey.

As part of our community outreach efforts, Stephen Stein and Gretchen Fair are offering a short term introductory course about integrating relational psychotherapy, neuroscience, and mind-body principles. There are no fees associated with this course in an effort to make it accessible to direct service providers working in agency settings. Registration and more information.

We hope to see you at our kickoff event, the Potluck Dinner, on Friday, September 11 from 7-9:30 pm at the Chevy Chase Village Town Hall. 5906 Connecticut Avenue Chevy Chase, Maryland.


Note from the Programs Co-Chairs
Sharon Ballard and Tripp Reed

On Sunday May 31st, seven ICP&P members in training graduated at a ceremony at the Key Bridge Marriott, followed by a luncheon celebration. The event was a wonderful culminating experience and provided an opportunity for the ICP&P community to recognize the accomplishments of our trainees. Congratulations!

We are very excited about next year’s programs, some of which will dovetail with the Relational Perspectives Institute’s Saturday morning presentations. On Saturday, October 10th, we will hear Lewis Aron, PhD, discuss Relational Perspectives: Origins, Growth and Frontiers. This program will provide an overview of the history of Relational Psychoanalysis, including an examination of the historical distinction between psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. On Saturday morning, December 5th, Donnel Stern will present Relational Perspectives on Therapeutic Action. We encourage you to register early for these conferences.

Once again, ICP&P will be hosting Scientific Day, scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2010. It is not too early to begin thinking (and writing) about clinical issues to share with your colleagues in what has traditionally been an extremely stimulating and welcoming forum.


Note on Study Groups
Dorothy Wine

I am happy to report that study groups in ICP&P are active and full. This is wonderful, and speaks volumes about our members’ eagerness to learn more about theory as well as form strong connections with colleagues. Also, it is a testament to the generosity of study group leaders who have opened their homes and offices to fellow members.

Even though we are mid-cycle and at the start of summer, there have already been two requests for study groups in DC. Additionally, with the influx of new members from the RPI, there could be additional demand for study groups. We want to have a place for these new members to study and get better acquainted with colleagues.

At this time there is only one group with openings – Monica Callahan’s in Bethesda. Additionally, we want to let members know that Wendy Berns will be starting a new group starting this fall in Arlington, Virginia. Please read the full description below.

We need volunteers to step forward to lead new study groups. Perhaps you have thought about being a study group leader. There are many benefits such as saving time in travel, studying the topic of your choice, and setting the hour that works best with your schedule. A study group leader is not expected to understand the topic in depth, just to have the desire to learn more about the topic. If you would be interested in starting a group, please email me at dawine99@aol.com or call me at 571-723-6464.

Dissociative Phenomena
Wendy Berns, MSW
2nd Monday; 12:30-2:00 pm in Arlington, VA

This study group will focus on dissociative processes in clinical work, from the everyday experiences, which are ubiquitous, to the extreme experiences found in DID character structure. We will integrate ideas about dissociative phenomena with concepts found in attachment and relational theories. We will read books and articles about dissociation, such as the writings of Elizabeth Howell and Jodi Davies, and also work as a peer group, following material from our individual, couples, and group cases.


Exploratory Psychodrama Study Group
Monica L. Callahan, PhD
2nd Saturday, 10:00am-noon in Bethesda, MD

We are evolving a process for the experiential exploration of our clinical work, using psychodrama-base enactment techniques in a self psychological and relational context. Relevant readings are shared as well. We welcome members who can commit themselves to the group process that makes this work possible, i.e., regular attendance, as much as possible, is very important to us.


Training Advisor – An Opportunity for Interested Members
Martha Blechar Gibbons

Last summer I described the development of a new role for those interested in being involved in the Psychotherapy Training Program: The Training Advisor. In this role, one provides a member-in-training (MIT) with a mentor relationship to ICP&P, and offers support, advice, and encouragement throughout the individual’s advancement in the three year training program. This summer I am again encouraging those interested to contact me to learn more about the scope of the role of the Training Advisor and the prospect of making a significant contribution to the Psychotherapy Training Program.

I look forward to speaking with you! Contact me at 202-364-3919 or marthagibbons123@verizon.net

Note from the Chair, Psychoanalytic Training Program
Sandy Hershberg

The following are excerpts from ICP&P’s Psychoanalytic Training Program Graduation on Sunday May 31, 2009.

It is a pleasure to come together as a community filled with pride to celebrate and recognize the considerable accomplishments of our members-in-training of the Couples and Psychoanalytic Training Programs upon their completion.

As we all know it takes a village of extremely hard working and committed individuals coming together collaboratively to create a vital thriving program. And we are thriving. Our advanced candidates include Monica Callahan, Janet Dante and Mary Jean Kane and most recently Kathy Beck, Charlotte Coates-Wilkes, Linda Kanefield, John McComb, Sarah Pillsbury, and Rhoda Spindel. We are in the process of forming a class for fall of 2009. We are fortunate to have a group of diverse, enthusiastic, creative analysts on the faculty of the Psychoanalytic Training Program and with each graduating class we expand and enrich that supply. I would like to acknowledge the contributions of the Psychoanalytic Training Program faculty as a whole and particularly recognize those on the Executive Committee, Elizabeth Carr, also chair of Admissions; Marie Hellinger, Chair of Candidates Progress and Fonya Helm for their unswerving dedication to the vigor of the program, insight, energy and practical help with all of the many details that arise. Joe Lichtenberg continues to provide wisdom, counsel and enormous breadth of experience. Also, I wish to acknowledge Faith Lewis and Fonya Helm’s efforts in recruitment, Sue Gorman and Larry Ballon on the Curriculum committee, and Jane Jones as class liaison. As many of you may know, Fonya is moving to Virginia Beach. From the inception of the Psychoanalytic Training Program, Fonya has been an active, nurturing presence. She has been a tireless and excellent teacher as well as a sought after and beloved supervisor. I want to take this opportunity to thank her for her dedication and generosity and her steadily positive, warm and wise contributions to our program. We hope she will continue to be a part of our Psychoanalytic Training Program and we will miss her. . . .

By way of introduction I would like to tell you a little about Heidi Block, who is graduating from the Psychoanalytic Training Program. Heidi graduated from the Smith College School of Social Work where she is currently a teacher. It was in that setting that she first felt, what would become, a strong and lasting commitment to the self psychological perspective as providing a theoretical and clinical home for her. Heidi went on to graduate from the ICP&P Psychotherapy Training Program in which she subsequently taught. While going through her analytic training she maintained her connection to her classmates by continuing in a peer supervision group. Heidi has taught at the Washington School of Psychiatry and guest lectured at Catholic University School of Social Work. During her psychoanalytic training Heidi developed a strong interest in attachment theory and is currently in a study group with Mauricio Cortina, an esteemed teacher on the Psychoanalytic Training Program faculty.

In her psychoanalytic work, Heidi has shown herself to be deeply committed to learning, theoretically and clinically. She has gained a deeper understanding of a psychoanalytic process working to facilitate her empathic immersion in the world of her patients. As a creative self–reflective analyst, Heidi strives to use herself in the service of facilitating connection through language and nuances of feeling. Heidi has been continuing her development as she was moving out of the student role in our program and entering the mother role in her life. I am sure we are all interested in knowing if and how her immersion in psychoanalytic study has (hopefully) facilitated the transition to motherhood. I hope she will tell us. Congratulations!!


Upcoming Events

  • Friday September 11, 2009 ICP&P’s Pot Luck Dinner and Fall Kick-Off. Chevy Chase Village Town Hall.
  • Wednesday, September 16, 2009 ICP&P presents Short Course - An Introduction to Clinical Practice through the Lens of Relational Psychotherapy and Mind-Body Principles with Stephen Stein, PhD and Gretchen Fair, MSW. Stephen Stein’s office, 3000 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 327, Washington, DC 20008.
  • Saturday, October 10, 2009 ICP&P presents Relational Perspectives: Origins, Growth and Frontiers with Lewis Aron, PhD. The Cosmos Club, 2121 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC. For more information visit www.icpeast.org or call 202-686-9300 ext. 5.
  • Saturday, December 5, 2009 ICP&P presents Relational Perspectives on Therapeutic Action with Donnel Stern, PhD. The Cosmos Club, 2121 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC.
  • Saturday, January 23, 2010 ICP&P presents Scientific Day.

Bulletin Board

The Policy for Bulletin Board items is: Members can place items three months a year. Items can be up to eight lines in length. Longer items or additional months are available for a fee. Please contact the administrator for the fee schedule.

  • Couples Supervision Group – Beginning in the fall a new couples supervision group will be starting on Tuesdays (from around noon to 1:15) for therapists interested in sharpening their skills as they deal with difficult couples. Maximum group size is 5 to allow for individual presentations and group process. If interested or wish more information please call Joyce Lowenstein at 202 333-7860 or email at js.lowenstein@verizon.net
  • Midlife Eating Disorders Psychotherapy Group – Monica Callahan has openings in her ongoing psychotherapy group for women over 35 with eating disorders and related issues. The approach combines interpersonal and experiential methods, and individual therapy simultaneous with group is recommended. The group meets Thursdays, 5:00-6:15 pm in Bethesda, MD and is Metro accessible. For more information, contact Monica L. Callahan at 301 587 6211 or by email at Callahanml@erols.com
  • Relational Supervision Group – Roger Segalla is starting a weekly Relational Supervision Group. To discuss joining this group supervision please contact Roger Segalla at 301-652-1707 or rsegalla@verizon.net
  • Office Space Available - Mondays and Fridays at 1301 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20036 (located right off the Red Line on the south side of Dupont Circle). Located in a high rise office building with elevators, beautifully furnished, and has a window. There are 6 other very nice therapists in the suite. If interested, contact Elaine Hoffman at 202-841-0270 or elaineshoffman@msn.com
  • Office Suite Available – in north Chevy Chase with large window in secure semi-high rise on Wisconsin Ave. (10 minutes from Metro) available starting July 1st for part-time or full-time use. Rent $600 per month full-time. Please contact Sigrid Dildine @ 301-461-9170 for more information.
  • Furnished Office Available (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) starting June 1. The office is in a suite across from Farragut Square (910 17th Street - between K & I St, NW). Half a block from the Red and Blue/Orange Metro lines. To learn more, please contact Elizabeth Carr at 202-822-8371 or emcarr@aol.com

The deadline for submitting items for the September 2009 Newsletter is August 30, 2009