by Natasha Oxenburgh, MA

Note from Luba Palter, Editor-in-Chief:
NCSPP Board members are taking turns contributing to President’s Remarks for the rest of this year. Natasha Oxenburgh, MA is the Chair of the Education Committee. 

We have an eclectic array of programming coming up this Fall 2025, spanning formats and focal points, all designed to invite clinicians into deeper inquiry, community, and reflection.

In September, we launch our year-long Intensive Study Group (ISG), “On Perversion,” led by Janie Riley, LMFT, Daniel Butler, Ph.D., LMFT, Michael Levin, Psy.D., and Sydney Tan, Psy.D. This course will explore the concept of perversion, reexamining its clinical and cultural meanings through interdisciplinary lenses—including Freud’s original formulations and the reinterpretations of Bollas, Stein, and Grunberger. Don’t miss the virtual introductory event on July 20, where each instructor will offer their perspective on this year’s theme. Introductory Event →

Also in September, we begin a four-week course, “The Psychodynamics of Body Image,” led by Tom Wooldridge, Psy.D. This series will explore the complex interplay between psychological, cultural, and embodied dimensions of body image, structured around four core themes: (1) foundational psychodynamics, (2) obesity and binge eating, (3) cultural influences, and (4) cosmetic and medical interventions. More Info →

We round out the month with a unique event: a tour of the indoor and outdoor Rodin sculptures at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University. With nearly 100 sculptures, the collection provides a powerful lens into Rodin’s groundbreaking engagement with the body. Following the tour, we’ll gather on the museum green for drinks and snacks. Event Details →

October brings three virtual seminars:

• In “Teaching Amongst Diversity,” psychoanalyst and clinical social worker Brian Ngo-Smith will lead a discussion on the emotional complexities of teaching in diverse classroom settings, offering attendees an opportunity to address the anxieties that arise when teaching in diverse groups. Learn More →
• Building on the May 2024 IARPP colloquium, psychoanalyst Michael Korson presents “Why War?”—a workshop engaging Einstein and Freud’s correspondence, Rozmarin’s ideas on belonging and violence, and Fromm’s theories of aggression. Topics include the pleasure of violence, gendered aspects of aggression, and the notion of a “just” war. Workshop Info →
• In “What Makes Supervision a Relational Process?”, psychoanalyst and clinical psychologist Joan Sarnat will explore how supervisors can enhance their ability to use the supervisory relationship as a learning tool—a crucial, yet often underdeveloped, skill in psychoanalytic training. Register Here →

While our September programming centers on the body, October's offerings explore a broader conceptual landscape. Together, they invite us to expand our emotional and theoretical range as clinicians, supervisors, and educators.

Our programming for the second half of 2025 is dynamic, and we’re equally excited for what’s ahead, as 2026 is already shaping up to offer an even broader and more ambitious range of events and learning opportunities.