by June Lin-Arlow, AMFT

I can’t believe it's already 2022, and we are entering the third year of the pandemic hanging over us. In this precarious time, many of us are making difficult tradeoffs between taking risks and moving on with living life. This month at Impulse we say goodbye to two regular contributors, Molly Merson and Lorrie Goldin. 

Lorrie has been a consistent contributor to “Potential Space” for the last 11 years, and she entered retirement this past year. During her time here she has introduced us to films, art, essays, talks, and political discourses, always with a keen eye for psychoanalytic themes and an incisive social critique. This month I’m glad to see a more personal side in her reflections following retirement. I will miss learning from her, and I wish her all the relaxation in the time ahead. 

Molly has held the column “Psychoanalysis in Society,” formerly known as “Psychoanalysis in the News,” for the last 5 years. This column is where we look outside of psychoanalysis in places like critical race theory, sociology, and personal reflection for content that challenges us and moves our thinking forward. When she started in 2016, a fateful year, she decided to take the column in a more sociopolitical direction. In my time working with her, I have seen her take risks in sharing articles that were challenging and important as well as taking the time behind the scenes to engage with patience and compassion when she received feedback. Molly, I will miss your voice here, and I’m excited for your new projects ahead. 

Over the last few years, I’ve felt particularly disconnected from the local psychoanalytic community, as we haven’t had the chance to convene and get to know one another. After going to events and talks, the Zoom room closes, and I am zapped back into my office, home, or wherever I happen to be tuning in from. Getting moments to connect during downtime and between times seems like such a nostalgic and foregone experience from the distant past. 

Impulse has been a way to maintain connection in a time of profound disconnection. If you’re interested in writing for ‘Potential Space’ or taking over the ‘Psychoanalysis in Society’ column, please feel free to let me know! I welcome your email at jlarlow@ncspp.org.