This interview with Dr. Jonathan Shedler explores the systemic issues in psychology and psychotherapy, including the research-practice divide, the rise of CBT, and the challenges facing psychoanalysis. Gain insights into how these trends impact clinical practice, research validity, and public understanding.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Jonathan Shedler

01:12 The research-practice divide in psychology

02:26 Historical roots of clinical psychology post-WWII

09:18 Limitations of psychotherapy research methods

16:29 Influence of politics and ideology on psychology

26:43 Psychoanalysis' contribution to its own decline

30:04 The potential for psychoanalysis to meet public hunger

38:32 Personality and holistic approaches to treatment

40:28 The hierarchy of evidence and scientific methodology

50:37 Closing remarks and hope for the future

Resources

• 'The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy' 
• Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure 
• Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual 
• Client-identified outcomes of individual psychotherapy: a qualitative meta-analysis
• “That was then, this is now: Psychoanalytic psychotherapy for the rest of us” 
• Hans Reichenbach's philosophy of science
• Experience and Prediction  
• Context of Discovery and Context of Justification  
• Schopenhauer's Porcupines

Guest Links

• Professional Website  
• Publications
• LinkedIn
• Substack
• Faculty Page 

Credits:

Host & Executive Producer - Bevin Campbell, Psy.D.

Guest - Dr. Jonathan Shedler

Audio Editor & Co-Producer - Ellis Feldman

Composer, Writer, & Co-Producer - Brian Mageo-Sausser

In this interview, Dr. Paul Wachtel discusses the evolution of psychoanalysis in academia, the importance of integration with other therapeutic approaches, and the future of psychotherapy research. He shares his personal journey, the challenges and opportunities in the field, and practical advice for aspiring psychoanalysts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Psychoanalysis in Academia

02:35 Dr. Paul Wachtel's Academic Journey

04:29 The Evolution of Psychoanalysis in Academia

08:30 Integration of Psychoanalysis and Other Therapies

14:00 Current State of Psychoanalysis

16:03 Personal Reflections on Psychoanalysis' Journey

22:26 Research in Psychoanalysis

29:17 Students' Perspectives on Psychoanalysis

32:11 Advice for Aspiring Psychoanalysts

43:33 A Day in the Life of Dr. Wachtel

Resources

• Psychoanalysis, Behavior Therapy, and the Relational World (Psychotherapy Integration) 
• Race in the mind of America: Breaking the vicious circle between Blacks and Whites 
• Relational Theory and the Practice of Psychotherapy  
• Therapeutic communication: knowing what to say when
• Inside the session: What really happens in psychotherapy
• The Poverty of Affluence 
• Cyclical psychodynamics and the contextual self
• Making Room for the Disavowed: Reclaiming the Self in Psychotherapy 
• Ackerman Institute for the Family
• Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration 
• Westen (1998) - The Scientific Legacy of Sigmund Freud: Toward a Psychodynamically Informed Psychological Science

Guest Links

• Faculty Page
• Publications

Credits:

Host & Executive Producer - Bevin Campbell, Psy.D.

Guest - Dr. Paul Wachtel

Audio Editor & Co-Producer - Ellis Feldman

Composer, Writer, & Co-Producer - Brian Mageo-Sausser

In this interview, Dr. Chris Hopwood shares his journey into academia, his integration of psychodynamic and interpersonal theories into quantitative research, and his perspectives on personality assessment, clinical orientation, and the role of psychology in addressing global issues like climate change and animal rights.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Chris Hopwood

01:55 The Journey into Academia

04:08 Discovering Psychoanalytic Theory

06:30 Interpersonal Theory and Its Impact

08:49 Debates in Personality Assessment

10:40 The Evolution of Personality Disorders

12:54 Understanding Personality Functioning

15:14 The Intersection of Personality and Clinical Psychology

16:40 The Importance of Theoretical Orientation

18:58 The Role of Scientific Method in Psychoanalysis

20:38 The Future of Psychological Theory

22:33 Experiences in Zurich and European Perspectives

25:19 The State of Psychoanalysis in Academia

27:38 The Relevance of Theoretical Orientation

29:41 Human-Animal Relations and Moral Crisis

31:53 Addressing Climate Change in Clinical Practice

33:12 Confronting Eco-Anxiety and Human Cruelty

36:50 Navigating Academic Paths and Choices

41:52 Balancing Academia and Personal Life

44:38 The Role of Psychoanalysis in Modern Psychology

51:26 Exploring Human-Animal Relations

55:08 Addressing Climate Anxiety in Therapy

Resources

• Psychology of Human-Animal Intergroup Relations 
• Major Theories of Personality Disorder 
• Society for Interpersonal Theory and Research 
• Harvard Medical School Psychiatry Department
• Robert Karen’s work
• Les Morey’s work
• “Interpersonal theory of personality” by Aaron Pincus
• “A Contemporary Interpersonal Model of Personality Pathology and Personality Disorder” by Pincus and Hopwood

Guest links

• Faculty page
• Publications 

Credits:

Host & Executive Producer - Bevin Campbell, Psy.D.

Guest - Dr. Chris Hopwood

Audio Editor & Co-Producer - Ellis Feldman

Composer, Writer, & Co-Producer - Brian Mageo-Sausser

This interview explores the diverse career of Dr. Kimberlyn Leary, a psychoanalyst turned policy expert, highlighting insights on leadership, negotiation, and the intersection of clinical practice with public policy. Discover how her background informs her approach to systemic change and equity initiatives.

Chapters

00:00 Career Trajectory and Early Influences

03:00 Expanding Focus: From Clinical Work to Policy

06:13 Experiences in the White House

08:58 The Through Line of Diverse Interests

12:05 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

15:09 The Role of Psychoanalysis in Policy Work

18:03 Negotiation as Collaborative Problem Solving

20:57 Teaching and Classroom Dynamics

23:50 Leadership and Adaptive Challenges

27:00 Advice for Aspiring Academics in Policy

29:58 Reflections on Early Scholarship

32:46 Balancing Multiple Roles in Academia

Resources

• Advancing Equity for Women and Girls of Color 
• Getting to Yes 
• The Boston Psychoanalytic Institute 
• Austin Riggs Center 
• University of Michigan Psychology Department
• Race as an adaptive challenge: Working with diversity in the clinical consulting room (2012) 

Guest Links

• LinkedIn
• Faculty Page
• New America
• Publications

Credits:

Host & Executive Producer - Bevin Campbell, Psy.D.

Guest - Dr. Kimberlyn Leary

Audio Editor & Co-Producer - Ellis Feldman

Composer, Writer, & Co-Producer - Brian Mageo-Sausser

This interview with Dr. Chris Muran explores the evolution of psychotherapy, the importance of process research, and the value of pluralism in training future therapists. Discover insights on rupture repair, training methods, and integrating diverse therapeutic traditions.

Chapters

00:00 Journey into Academia: Foundations and Influences

02:56 The Evolution of Therapeutic Approaches

05:58 Research in Psychotherapy: Process vs. Outcome

08:52 Bridging Psychoanalysis and Empirical Research

12:03 Pluralism in Psychotherapy: A Modern Perspective

29:50 The Importance of Dialogue in Therapy

38:25 Training Future Psychotherapists

46:30 Experiential Learning in Psychoanalytic Training

52:43 A Day in the Life of an Academic

Resources

• Society for Psychotherapy Research
• Work on Rupture and Repair

Guest links

• Faculty Page
• Publications
• Center for Alliance-Focused Training

Credits:

Host & Executive Producer - Bevin Campbell, Psy.D.

Guest - Dr. Christopher Muran

Audio Editor & Co-Producer - Ellis Feldman

Composer, Writer, & Co-Producer - Brian Mageo-Sausser

In this conversation, Dr. Daniel Gaztambide explores the intersection of psychoanalysis, social justice, and decolonial theory. He shares his personal journey, challenges in academia, and innovative approaches to expanding psychoanalytic thought beyond traditional dyadic models.

Chapters

00:00 Mapping Identity and Interpersonal Dynamics

03:02 Journey into Psychoanalysis and Academia

12:28 Navigating Challenges in Psychoanalytic Research

17:09 Resilience Amidst Academic Barriers

22:46 Serendipity and Finding a Place in Academia

29:37 The Existential Fear of Psychoanalysts in Academia

31:06 Navigating Academic Challenges in Qualitative Research

34:34 The Intersection of Psychoanalysis and Social Justice

40:57 Balancing Empathy and Accountability in Therapy

43:37 Religion's Role in Psychoanalysis and Social Justice

48:54 Decolonizing Psychoanalytic Techniques and Theories

Resources

• Frantz Fanon Lab for Decolonial Psychology 
• A Caballo Regalao no se le Mira el Colmillo: Colonial Mentality and Puerto Rican Depression
• Frantz Fanon, “Black Skin, White Masks”
• Jessica Benjamin's “Beyond Doer and Done to” 
• Elizabeth Danto's Freud's Free Clinic
• Jessica Benjamin's work on intersubjectivity
• Rutgers University Department of Religion
• Freud’s “Civilization and its Discontents”
• Peter Fonagy’s work on attachment  

Guest links

• Professional Website 
• Faculty Page
• The Action Lab  
• Publications
• X 

Credits:

Host & Executive Producer - Bevin Campbell, Psy.D.

Guest - Dr. Daniel José Gaztambide

Audio Editor & Co-Producer - Ellis Feldman

Composer, Writer, & Co-Producer - Brian Mageo-Sausser

This episode explores the shifting landscape of psychodynamic training and the future of psychoanalytic thought in universities. With perspectives from Dr. Nancy McWilliams, a seasoned clinician and educator, and Dr. Leora Trub, founder of A2P2, we examine the profound changes in psychotherapy education, the importance of diverse voices, and the hope for restoring depth-oriented approaches amidst a landscape increasingly dominated by protocol-driven treatments.

Chapters

01:04 - The purpose of A2P2 and the future of psychoanalytic psychology in academia

05:40 - Clinical and ethical implications of narrowly focusing on DSM categories

09:16 - Data on the shrinking presence of psychoanalytic faculty in universities

15:10 - Leora Trub’s journey from clinical training to academia and founding of A2P2

22:42 - The future outlook: more hope than pessimism for psychoanalysis in the academy

23:47 - The role of teaching, publishing, and mentoring in fostering depth-oriented thinking

30:39 - Expanding psychoanalytic thinking to include diversity, cultural humility, and anti-racism

39:38 - Reinventing tenure and academic recognition to value different kinds of contributions

45:15 - Psychoanalysis’ role in cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion in mental health

53:19 - Practical insights on balancing clinical work, writing, teaching, and family life

56:26 - The importance of visibility, mentorship, and modeling a balanced professional life

57:20 - Advice for students aspiring to combine psychoanalysis with academic careers

Resources & Links:

• A2P2 Website
• Saving Talk Therapy by Enrico Gnaulati
• Psychoanalytic Research Studies (Peter Lilliengren)

Guest Links:

• Nancy McWilliams 
  •  Website
  • Publications
• Leora Trub
  • Faculty Page
  • Publications

Credits:

Host & Executive Producer - Bevin Campbell, Psy.D.

Guests - Nancy McWiliiams, Leora Trub

Audio Editor & Co-Producer - Ellis Feldman

Composer, Writer, & Co-Producer - Brian Mageo-Sausser