Call for Papers
INVITATION TO SUBMIT ABSTRACTS
Special Issue
Changing theoretical and clinical perspectives.
Celebrating the 85th Anniversary of the American Journal of Psychoanalysis.
In 2025, we celebrate the 85th anniversary of the American Journal of Psychoanalysis, a journal that from the outset has been dedicated to fostering the spirit of open inquiry about a wide range of theoretical, clinical and cultural concepts in psychoanalysis. For our 85thanniversary we would like to invite submissions that explore the impact of recent profound cultural, societal, scientific, and environmental changes and forces on individuals, psychoanalytic practice, and theory.
Our Founding Editor, Karen Horney, MD, was an independent and forward-thinking psychoanalyst, interested in clinical research and was constantly exploring, challenging, and rethinking psychoanalytic concepts, guided by her experience in the consulting room. She challenged Freud’s theory of female development generating her own theories regarding the impact of cultural expectations on women’s psychological development (Feminine Psychology, 1967). She boldly moved away from Freud’s instinct theory and viewed the individual as developing within a social, interpersonal, and cultural matrix mediated by the family environment: identity, personality development and the intrapsychic are influenced by the external world and culture (The Neurotic Personality of Our Time, 1937). The relationships embedded within these environments significantly influence character development, mental health, and well-being. Central to her theory is the belief that we all have inborn potential that strives for self-realization, inner freedom, and flexibility, but they must be nurtured (Neurosis and Human Growth, 1950). The process of working in the therapeutic relationship lends a helping hand toward healthier growth. Horney believed that there is a dynamic matrix between the individual and culture. Our environment impacts us, similarly, constructive changes in the individual have the potential to reciprocally influence our culture. Her ideas are built on a deep understanding of human experience yet are realistically hopeful and still relevant today.
Horney’s work resonates with several psychoanalytic schools of thought such as object relations theory, the interpersonal traditions, self-psychology, intersubjectivity and relational psychoanalytic framework. Questions around how early relationships with caregivers and the larger social environment affect psychic development and personality continue to be an important focus in psychoanalysis today. Discoveries in the fields of neuroscience, infant research and attachment theory further add to our understanding of development. Ideas regarding gender, sexuality, race, and identity are complex topics being debated in psychoanalysis. Established theories are being challenged, perspectives are changing, and new theories are being developed.
We invite submissions that explore any of these issues from a psychoanalytic perspective considering the implications for clinical practice and psychoanalytic theory. We encourage colleagues to submit an Abstract of up to 300 words, describing the paper and its relevance to the topic, as well as a brief biographical statement of the author(s).
The Abstract Submission deadline is April 1, 2024.
Please send your submissions to Dr. Giselle Galdi, Editor-in-Chief (galdi.amjpa@gmail.com) and Co-Editors Lisa Mounts (mounts.ajp@gmail.com) & Michele Muñoz (munoz.amjpa@gmail.com)
