This forthcoming Counter-Talk has been explicitly devised to respond to and go beyond the limited frame of an upcoming APsA symposium: “Reimagining Engagement in Psychoanalytic Institutions.” That event asks “why…analysts and trainees [are] stepping back from institute life” and “what…it cost[s] the field — clinically, professionally, communally — when institutional engagement declines?” The opening premise of this symposium, then, is that disengagement is only a problem. And APsA has declined to invite anyone who has been publicly critical of APsA, of psychoanalytic institutions, or any of those insisting on why divestment might be important. 

Our event inquires into how APsA and other legacy psychoanalytic organizations continue to fail to meet the moment and explores why people interested in psychoanalysis are increasingly seeking alternative ways to learn and engage psychoanalysis to build a DIY psychoanalytic scene. 

The Counter-Talk will take place on Saturday, June 13^th, from 12pm to 2pm ET – the same date and time as the APsA event- featuring presentations from Dr. Carter Carter and Dr. Kristen Miller, and to be chaired and moderated by one of P-HOLE’s founding members, Dr. Adrian Sanchez. Come on by the P-HOLE: the water is fine, and the thinking is at once theoretically rigorous, politically engaged, and refreshingly uninhibited by the need to defend or promote any particular psychoanalytic institution or any psychoanalytic institution at all.   

Counter-Talks are free (though pre-registration is required); but we tie each event to an organization that benefits causes related to the theme of the event. For this first event, we have chosen The Asian American Center for Psychoanalysis (TAACP); not only do we want to support their work, we are also especially excited about their 2027 initiative. As you register for this free event, please consider donating to TAACP as generously as you can. 

This event is virtual only and we will NOT be recording it.