Section VIII is dedicated to promoting the understanding and treatment of the psychological needs of couples and families, within a psychoanalytic framework. Our members seek to apply the theories and treatments of psychoanalysis to the problems encountered by families of every culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and religion. We are also enlarging the scope and efficacy of psychoanalytic understanding by incorporating multiple treatment perspectives to fit the added complexity found when people are seen together. As part of the community of Division 39, we hope to encourage active dialogue with our colleagues and to promote a broad understanding of couple and family issues for those clinicians working with individuals. Many of our members work with the larger community, in various outreach activities that address psychological and other needs, while embracing a psychoanalytic perspective.

We have a members-only listserv, where we discuss clinical issues, give and get referrals throughout the country, and share information. We publish a Newsletter twice a year.

We are in the process of designing a new web site.

Issues in Couple Therapy: The Initial Session and Beyond with the "Difficult Couple" April 29, 2007

For further information, send an email to Antonia Halton, Ph.D., tonihalton@rcn.com