"Who are the Friends and why have I been hearing more about them?" "What's their relationship to San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute and Society?" "How do their programs differ from those in the SFPI&S Extension Division?"

SFPI&S is a training institute for psychoanalysts and as an important part of its mission also offers courses and programs for mental health clinicians and the public. Coursework for clinicians is through the Extension Division. SFPI&S is reorganizing into a psychoanalytic "center" and is redefining the Friends as a key outreach arm of this new organization.

The Friends is a separate 501c3 affiliate organization of SFPI&S. Our mission is to provide a link between psychoanalysts and community members interested in psychoanalysis and its varied clinical and cultural applications. We are a multi-disciplinary, non-profit membership organization open to individuals from all disciplines.

What distinguishes the Friends from the Extension Division is that we are a membership organization and community at SFPI&S that people can join. Friends now receive the SFPI&S newsletter, are listed in the roster, and serve on SFPI&S and Friends committees. The president of the Friends is a voting member of the SFPI&S board of trustees. We have several new programs — smaller, more personal programs designed to foster relationship building. For example:

I invite you to check out the Friends website, come to an event, and consider joining our growing and vibrant community.

Renée Spencer, Ph.D.
President, Friends of SFPI&S