Committee on Psychoanalytic Study Groups (COPS)

Adjusting to the impact of Covid-19 on psychoanalysis and psychoanalysts is front and center in the minds of all psychoanalysts and psychotherapists.

COPS, formerly COPE, which creates study groups to enhance and enrich the multiple missions of psychoanalysis is working diligently on this challenge, as illustrated in the following reflective article.

Recently we approved a new study group, Ethical Dilemmas, chaired by Anita Schmukler. “This group examines material from the perspective of unconscious pressures that leave one vulnerable to ethical lapses. This is distinguished from boundary violations and other egregious actions that could cause harm….”

We also examined options for three additional study groups, explored seeking younger participants, and discussed the overlap with other conference programing. For this issue we include a report from one COPS Study Group that richly exemplifies our work.

Study Group on Psychoanalytic Writing

Mary Landy and Ellen Pinsky, Co-chairs

Introduction

Frances Lang

I was happy to receive an opportunity to share a piece of writing in TAP from our Study Group on Psychoanalytic Writing. Only a week earlier I had urged the author, a candidate in the writing seminar I teach at the Boston Psychoanalytic Institute, to submit his piece on the pandemic for publication.

While the seminar's chief goal is to help candidates in writing case reports, I try to stir an interest in writing more broadly. For the first class meeting, I ask candidates to read the short story, “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid. The story lists instructions given by a mother to her daughter. Candidates are asked to use it as a template for their own writing. Themes have varied over the years. This year, writing during the quarantine, the candidate offers instructions on how to be with his patients on Zoom.

Psychotherapy in a Pandemic

Theodore Murray