We, the Analyst:
Thinking Differently about the Current Crisis

By now, the economic crisis sweeping the globe needs little introduction - the pain is everywhere. If you're not suffering yourself, you no doubt know someone who is. Let's face it: if this is not another Great Depression, it's already a Pretty Damn Good Depression.

Clearly, our own field is not immune from the fallout; many therapists have experienced significant drops in their caseloads. At one time, for instance, I had a thriving practice of 30 or 35 client hours; in the space of a month, I was down to 15. I was shell shocked. A senior analyst to whom I spoke used the analogy of hanging onto a tree in the midst of a torrential downpour. She depicted those who have been in practice many years as high up in the tree and therefore relatively safe. On the other hand, I and others with less established practices she saw as clinging to the lower branches and in danger of being swept away by the raging floodwaters.

There is no shortage of public need for help, of course; unresolved emotional issues are only exacerbated by today's dire economic stressors. Unfortunately, not many people can easily allocate funds to pay for psychotherapy. Fewer still can make the financial commitment to high-frequency psychoanalytic treatment; while almost none can afford the kind of fees many of us took for granted in recent, more affluent times.

The situation is by no means hopeless, however, and in fact, there may be a silver lining to the current devastation. Throughout recent American history, there has been a tension between collective consciousness and individual goals. During World War II and the subsequent years of prosperity, Americans identified as a larger community, as members of a more unified sense of "We the People". Likewise, the empowerment movements that began in the 1960's were conceived as efforts to promote a common good. In the late 70's and 1980's however, the broad movements splintered and shared social goals gave way to individual self interest. This trend, as we have seen, culminated in economic disaster of worldwide proportions. It has also, however, revealed the fundamental limitations of rampant consumerism and solipsistic I-think. Hopefully this new awareness will trigger a fundamental shift away from greed and back towards a compassionate connection between all Americans, away from "I" and back towards a more deeply felt connection to the larger "We." The signs are already there, in the election of Barack Obama and the stirrings of a genuine bipartisan response to the economic crisis in this country, but there is much more that needs to be done.

As therapists and analysts, we have an opportunity to place ourselves at the forefront of this movement towards shared goals, common decency, and an abiding human connection. We already do so every day by helping our patients lower their barriers to emotional engagement. Nonetheless, there are other means at our disposal for expanding the connection amongst ourselves as analysts and facilitating greater contact between the analytic community and the population at large. Though some of these approaches are practical (and I will have some suggestions at the end of this article) the most important thing is for us as analysts to change our fundamentally individualistic mode of identifying ourselves. We must move from the conception of ourselves only as "solo practitioners," beholden to no one else, and realize our embeddedness in the larger community of strong and struggling souls. We must allow ourselves to reach for help when we need it, and to reach out to those who are threatened professionally and personally, so that none of those clinging to fragile, low-hanging branches is needlessly washed away in the flood.

The following are some practical ideas:

When you can't take a prospective patient into your practice, don't just give three names and move on, take a half hour or an hour to see the patient, even if you decide not to charge for your time. Use it to establish rapport, so that the prospective patient trusts that your recommendation is made with him or her in mind. Then follow up to make sure the fit is good.

Go back to the beginning. Think about the time when you had just begun, maybe as an intern, when you may have had to depend on the kindness of many others in order to establish your practice. Remember what you did then in order to build strong connections and a broad referral base.

Recognize that a good portion of the public is still unaware or has a negative impression of psychoanalysis. Think about writing or speaking directly for the lay community in newspapers, newsletters, and magazines, radio shows, and internet blogs. In addition, knowing that many Americans are in the same leaky boat, offer lectures and workshops that address the emotional concerns of people suffering under the same conditions as we are.

Consider volunteering in the community; although it might not bring in money immediately, it might lead to new referrals in the future. What is more, it will put you in contact with people who are also struggling and may be in need of your help. One such effort already in place is The Soldiers' Project, in which therapists offer free or low-cost therapy for troops from combat areas returning with deep psychological wounds.

Form peer groups with like-minded therapists to discuss the emotional issues we're all facing in both our professional and our personal lives, and to provide encouragement and support when difficulties threaten safety and stability.

Reevaluate reluctance to do certain kinds of work (like testing, for example, or couples counseling) or to become a provider on one or more insurance panels (those which are still accepting new members).

Step up your networking, by taking others to lunch. And don't limit it to other psychoanalysts, take everyone. You can't know in advance just who will be the person who will help you the most.

Finally, don't be shy about sharing your experiences and your abilities with everyone you can. Someone may turn into a patient; a second person may refer to you; yet another might turn out to be a friend, a fellow in the increasingly connected community of We.

Dr. Michael Pariser is a psychologist and psychoanalyst in private practice in Westwood. He teaches psychoanalytic theory and practice at the California Graduate Institute of the Chicago School in Westwood and supervises at the school's counseling center. Dr. Pariser can be reached at (310) 926-8450 or by email at:

He is currently available for lunch.