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History of the Center

In December 1970, the following analysts and friends of psychoanalysis met to establish a Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies: Evelyn Abrams, Dorothy Bloch, Selwyn Brody, Ethel L. Goldwater Clevans, Mark E. Clevans, Irene Kesten, Jacob Kesten, William Kirman, Evelyn J. Liegner, Leonard Liegner, Shirley B. Love, Sidney I. Love, Benjamin D. Margolis, Deborah Margolis, Cyril Z. Meadow, Phyllis W. Meadow, Benjamin Nelson, Marie Coleman Nelson, Joan Ormont, Louis Ormont, Leslie Rosenthal, and Harold Stern. The group was chartered in 1971 by the State of New York Department of Education.

Early in 1971 the Board of Trustees unanimously elected Hyman Spotnitz as Honorary President in recognition of his pioneering efforts in the development of modern psychoanalysis and for his dedication and commitment to the training of psychoanalysts. The Center continues to acknowledge Dr. Spotnitz’s contributions as the major foundation of the Center’s philosophy and approach to psychoanalytic training.

In 1971, because of their interest in modern psychoanalysis, the following practicing professionals were appointed senior associates: Gertrude Aull, Arnold Bernstein, Harold L. Davis, Gerald M. Fishbein, Betty Gabriel, Mary L. Gottesfeld, Stanley Hayden, Dennis Horvath, Lia Knoepfmacher, Etta Kolodney, Ethel Lawton, Fanny Milstein, Doris Pfeffer, Avivah Sayres, and Murray H. Sherman.

Under the direction of Phyllis W. Meadow, the Center developed into a leading psychoanalytic training institute, establishing the first program of study in modern psychoanalysis. The training program reflects the efforts of many modern analytic educators. Prominent among these were Ethel L. Goldwater Clevans, who played a significant role in the introduction of modern psychoanalytic process teaching to the faculty, and Yonata Feldman, who helped structure the supervisory relationship between supervisee and supervisor, and the communication between student and faculty through the log.

In 1972 the Center was provisionally chartered by the Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York to offer a training program in psychoanalysis as the Manhattan Center for Advanced Psychoanalytic Studies. This charter became absolute on March 21, 1978, and the name was changed to the Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies. The Center was approved by the State of New York as a licensure-qualifying institute in 2006.

THE CENTER CONTINUES TO ADVANCE THE STATED PURPOSES OF ITS CHARTER:

1) Establishment of a Psychoanalytic Training Institute
The Center’s training program continues to develop its innovative and unique approach to psychoanalytic teaching.

Recognizing the caliber of training offered at the Center, universities have granted academic credit in their graduate programs for studies completed at the Center.

2) Development of Standards for Psychoanalytic Education
Under the guidance of Phyllis W. Meadow, the Center, in cooperation with other psychoanalytic training institutes, developed the Society of Modern Psychoanalysts. As a founding member institute, the Center has been active in establishing and clarifying standards of modern psychoanalytic education.

3) Promotion and Advancement of Psychoanalysis
The Center schedules lectures, seminars, conferences, and workshops in which distinguished practicing psychoanalysts have introduced the latest developments in psychoanalytic theory and technique to the professional community.

4) Maintenance of a Center for Psychoanalytic Research
From the Center’s inception, candidates and faculty have expressed a strong interest in pursuing psychoanalytically-oriented research projects. The research department has encouraged and assisted in the development of psychoanalytic papers ranging in focus from practical problems experienced in patient treatment to broad theoretical issues. As they investigate patient dynamics, students involve themselves in a process of exploration resulting in clinically derived knowledge and refinements in their understanding of psychoanalytic interaction.

5) Publication of Modern Psychoanalytic Writing and Research
Early in its history the Center developed a program to encourage psychoanalytic writing. This program has provided editorial assistance for faculty, graduates, and candidates in training in the preparation of their psychoanalytic papers for publication. The program led to the founding of the Center’s journal, Modern Psychoanalysis. The first issue appeared in 1976. Since that time the journal has been published semi-annually, and its list of subscribers continues to grow nationally and internationally. The program has also led to the publication by faculty, students, and graduates of a steady stream of books and articles that represent valuable contributions to the literature of psychoanalysis.

6) Development of Advanced Programs of Study in Psychoanalysis
The Center’s founders, faculty, and graduates have assisted in the development of a number of modern psychoanalytic training institutes. In keeping with the Center’s policy to help develop advanced programs of study in psychoanalysis, faculty members frequently accept invitations from other training facilities in the mental health field and related academic programs to provide consultation on curriculum development and institute teaching methods throughout the United States. Center graduates have been active faculty members in more than 15 psychoanalytic institutes.

7) Faculty Development
An ongoing faculty development program includes courses and seminars throughout the training year. Workshops and seminars are designed to encourage a sharing of emotional experiences to foster individual growth for psychoanalytic teaching and supervision.

CMPS Bulletin 2024 - 2025