Program Committee Report

The Program Committee has undergone some significant changes since the beginning of this year, both in terms of its constitution as well as its vision. We are exploring new approaches to the traditional tasks of the committee—from the Annual Event and Lecture, to the scientific meetings, and beyond. In each of these arenas, we are considering where and how to make meaningful changes that can revitalize what we have to offer to the NCSPP community.

This year's 17th Annual Event and Lecture featured Glen Gabbard, who presented his research on and thoughts about psychotherapists who commit serious boundary violations with their patients. The modified structure of the event, coupled with Dr. Gabbard's engaging personal style, allowed for a greater than usual degree of audience participation and discussion of the clinical material presented by Cynthia Colvin. The day with Dr. Gabbard was a great success, and it encourages us to continue to broaden the scope of what can be achieved for this event. We are currently planning on bringing Juliet Mitchell to San Francisco in April 2005 for the 18th Annual Event and Lecture.

In February, we presented the second Comparative Clinical Colloquium, which continued to address the question of “What is healing in the analytic hour?” by featuring a diverse panel of clinicians, including Glenn M. Callaghan (a proponent of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy), Ralph Kaywin, and George Silberschatz. Our scientific meetings will resume on December 12, 2004, with Michael Guy Thompson presenting his paper on psychoanalytic notions of authenticity.

I would personally like to acknowledge Marjorie Schlenoff and the past members of the Program Committee for all of the their efforts in laying the groundwork for the Glen Gabbard and the Comparative Clinical Colloquium events—namely Ken Meyer, Jeff Yost, Audrey Martin, and Scott Manus. I look forward to a productive future with the new members of the Program Committee: Anca Ivan, Elissa Meryl, Ken Pound,