Notes

A joint meeting of the LOS ANGELES PSYCHOANALYTIC STUDY GROUP AND OF THE SAN FRANCISCO analysts was held in Ojai, California, on March 30–31, 1940. This was the first meeting of all the psychoanalysts of the West Coast ever held. The following papers were read: Acute Anxiety Hysteria in a Child of Two Years, B. Berliner; On Misidentification, J. Kasanin; Intellectual Resistance in Psychoanalysis, E. Windholz; Movements and Posture of the Patient during the Psychoanalytic Treatment, E. Daniels; Preliminary Report on an Attempt at Group Play Therapy, Marjorie Leonard; 'Configuration in Play' as a Phenomenon of Regression, E. Simmel. All analysts of both cities, candidates in training and a few specially invited guests attended the meetings. A discussion was held about the future of psychoanalysis in California. Dr. Simmel presented his plans for the organization of a Psychoanalytic Institute in Los Angeles, stressing the fact that the problem now was one of raising funds and stimulating interest in such an undertaking rather than extensive plans as to how the institute should operate. The meetings closed with a general discussion on 'The Importance of the Study of Ego Defense Mechanisms for Psychoanalytic Technique' following a paper on the subject read by Dr. Fenichel.