Issues of Interest
Getting the Word Out
by Mary Tressel, Media Relations Consultant to SFPI&S
- June 2005 SFPI&S Newsletter
Television news, national magazines, local newspapers, World Wide Web sites, and local speaking forums are the platforms the SFPI&S Public Information Committee uses to spread the message that psychoanalysts can bring broader perspective to current events.
A positive commentary on the success of this committee was offered by the host of KQED-FM’s Forum, Michael Krasny.
During Krasny’s Intersession Course at SFPI&S in early April, he stressed the value analysts provide when they educate the public through psychoanalytic commentary and news analysis in media interviews.
Interestingly, the PIC has seen a great increase in the number of requests for presentations by members of the SFPI&S Speakers Bureau.
These speaking engagements provide highly personal and productive ways to reach out to larger audience of mental health professionals and the general public.
Highlights of the PIC’s work from the last eighteen months are chronicled below.
Speakers Bureau Spreads the Word
- Sabina Morganti, M.F.T., provided a presentation on self-esteem after job loss to Job Connections, an East Bay non-profit organization.
- Woodrow Donovan, M.D., spoke on the topic of film and its practical use in psychotherapy to the South Bay Chapter of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
- Gary Lucchese, Ph.D., addressed the topic of Sustaining and Surviving Romantic Relationships and Adam Goldyne, M.D., spoke on the topic of Self-Esteem for the UCSF Wellness Series.
- Gary Grossman, Ph.D., made a presentation to the student-training program at The South of Market Mental Health Clinic on the topic of gay/lesbian issues.
- Mali A. Mann, M.D., educated the public in a speech to 150 community members at the Campbell Senior Center on the topic of detection and treatment of depression in the elderly.
- Gilbert Kliman, M.D., will make a presentation on the effects of childhood trauma in children and teens to the Tender Lion Program of San Francisco’s Family Service Agency on June 2, 2005.
Media Interviews Show that Psychoanalysis is “Psychology for Everyday Living”
- Saul E. Rosenberg, Ph.D., appeared on KQED’s Forum with Michael Krasny to discuss the topic of overcoming writer’s block.
- Mark I. Levy, M.D., was interviewed by NBC11’s Morning Show and Nathan Szajnberg, M.D., was interviewed by KRON4 reporter Linda Yee re: new FDA labeling requirements for antidepressants.
- Articles were submitted to www.newsforparents.org on the topics of back to school concerns, holiday do’s and don’ts for divorced parents, and Halloween and Christmas advice for parents.
Nathan Szajnberg, M.D., Abbot Bronstein, Ph.D., Judith Wallerstein, Ph.D., and Mary Lamia, Ph.D., were cited as authors.
- Mark I. Levy, M.D., appeared on the KFOG-FM Morning Show on two occasions in 2005 to discuss a wide range of topics, including New Year’s resolutions, American cultural influences on depression, realistic goals for marriage counseling, and prevention of suicide.
- “An Evening of Art” press release generated advance publicity for the event by San Francisco Chronicle art reporter Kenneth Baker.
The event had over 200 attendees, several of whom came because of the article in the Chronicle.
- Mary Lamia, Ph.D., was interviewed by Diablo Magazine on the topic of academic stress in children.
- Mark I. Levy, M.D., was interviewed by KGO Radio on the emotional stress experienced by tsunami survivors.
- Neil Talkoff, Ph.D., and Mark I. Levy, M.D., spoke of the stress caused by long-distance relationships with San Jose Mercury News reporter Michelle Quinn.
- Mark I. Levy, M.D., was interviewed by KSRO-FM about school violence following the high school shooting attack in Red Lake, Minnesota.
- Alan Kessler, Ph.D. was interviewed by Ladies’ Home Journal on the topic of teen depression.
How to Join the Public Information Committee
If you are interested in joining this active and vibrant committee to share your professional expertise with the public through media interviews and speaking engagements, please contact Committee Chair, Mary C. Lamia, Ph.D.
She can be reached at 415-457-2839 or via email at drlamia@aol.com. You can also discuss your interest in the PIC with me by calling 925-798-9421 or sending an email message to mary@tresselpr.com.
