by Jen Bissell

Some of you know me, a few of you may feel that I am becoming a familiar name associated with ICP+P conferences, and some of you don’t know me at all. I am writing this to all of you, to express my gratitude to the whole community of ICP+P.

Over the last several years, ICP+P has come to play a significant role in my life: it has become my professional home. It has been my solid foundation during turbulent and disorienting times, my community of hope, my warm embrace, my cheerleader, and my mentor — challenging me, pushing me, believing in my capability, and helping me grow.

When I was asked to write a column for the newsletter as Associate Director of Conferences, I felt intimidated yet also challenged and encouraged. This feeling has become very familiar to me throughout my tenure with ICP+P and as a graduate of the inaugural class of the Contemporary Approaches to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (CAPP) program in 2016.

One of the requirements to graduate from the CAPP program is to write and present a clinical paper to the faculty and ICP+P members at graduation. This was an extremely challenging task for me. It required personal introspection and professional vulnerability.

I had to develop confidence and trust in myself as a therapist to share my work with those in the field who I respected tremendously. I wrote about my transformation as a therapist and experiencing a shift in sensibility, bringing in my own subjectivity and authenticity into sessions with my clients, and the need to take more risks within my work. This transformation in my sense of self as a therapist came from my immersion in contemporary theories that are a good fit for me while being supported and mentored by those in ICP+P.

After graduating from the CAPP program, I had such appreciation for the CAPP program and how much I grew as a therapist, that I had a strong desire to give back to the Institute, as well as stay connected with the community. I immediately joined ICP+P’s board of directors as Associate Director of Conferences.

Since graduating, the concepts of generativity and generosity have continued to echo in my mind. I know that I still have so much to gain from being a part of this community, but also have a strong desire to give back at the same time.

That is why I’m so excited to share with you what is sure to be a phenomenal year of continued learning and engagement in our upcoming conferences.

We have already launched our 2017-2018 Conference year with the Bruce Wine Memorial Conference “Ethical Perspectives on ‘Fit’ and Fidelity in Clinical Practice,” featuring The Red Well Theater Group, and free to members.

On December 9, 2017, CAPP is sponsoring “The Love That Dare Not Speak its Name – On the Therapeutic Action and the Limitations of Romance and Desire in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis,” featuring Steven Kuchuck, LCSW.

February 3, 2018 will feature Elizabeth A. Corpt, MSW, LICSW, “Relational Ethics in Contemporary Psychoanalytic Practice: Doing the ‘Right’ Thing.” (Free to members)

And our annual conference will feature Eric Mendelsohn, PhD speaking on “First Meetings in Therapy: Poetics and Pragmatics,” all day on May 5, 2018.

I hope to see you throughout the year at these enriching and enlivening events. And thank you for creating a space and community that I can call home.

With Gratitude,
Jen