Letter from Jill Dunn, President

Jill Dunn, MSW, LCSW

Dear Members,

Regardless how each of us came to study psychoanalysis, our goal is the same: to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological factors that influence human experiences and help individuals navigate their psychological challenges, improve their mental health, and enhance overall well-being.

I strongly advocate for psychoanalytic education for clinicians, regardless of the modalities they incorporate into their practice (I am employing the term psychoanalysis here broadly to include theory and its therapeutic application in any form). I believe that psychoanalytic theories of development and interaction with oneself and the world are the foundation for deep and impactful healing.

However, there are several barriers to attracting students and members to the PCC. These include limited funding for student aid (especially for psychotherapy students), a lack of understanding or information about the value of a psychoanalytic perspective, and the perception of the psychoanalytic field as elitist and unwelcoming.

This is why I have agreed to stand for election to the board and accepted the nomination to serve as President. Addressing these issues is crucial for the PCC to fulfill its mission on behalf of both the clinical community and the broader public.

With the increasing demand for psychoanalytic training, our center stands as a haven for the pursuit of knowledge and self-discovery. Our programs impart the principles of psychoanalysis with precision and care because we know that the ripple effect of our work extends far beyond the classroom and into the lives of individuals who seek understanding, healing, and personal evolution.

In 2020 I left the PCC, dissatisfied with the value of my membership and concerned about these barriers to recruiting new students. Now I’ve returned to find a new vision in the Strategic Plan and active, concerned board members who are interested in hearing your ideas and working with you to make this Center a beacon for those interested in psychoanalysis.

The strength of our Center comes from our members; the board’s role is to work with you and for you- directly through their network of colleagues and indirectly through the various committees – to secure and manage the necessary resources, develop future leaders, support members and those in training, and advance the mission of “Promoting Emotional Resilience by Understanding the Mind Through Psychoanalytic Education, Practice and Service.”

I invite you to reach out to me – or to any board member – and let’s connect – over coffee, over the phone, or however you are most comfortable. Together, we can address these barriers and develop a blueprint for implementing change within the PCC.

Jill Dunn, MSW, LCSW