By Michael A. Bambery, MA LLP

I want to thank the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute for contributing to my trip to attend the annual winter conference of the American Psychoanalytic Association in New York City. I would not have attended the conference without the financial assistance provided by MPI, and I am therefore grateful that the Institute places such commitment towards graduate student professional development.

The American Psychoanalytic Association Conference itself was a fantastic educational and professional opportunity. I was able to meet and exchange ideas with individuals I had previously known only through my readings of the numerous papers and textbooks. In particular, I enjoyed the lecture given by Dr. Andrew Morrison on shame dynamics in the narcissistic character, and the lecture given by Drs. Davies and Harris regarding relational psychoanalysis. In addition, attending the scientific program at the conference allowed me to interact with several enthusiastic and inspiring psychodynamically oriented researchers. The paper presentation at the scientific program axiomatically illustrated the benefits and importance (both inside and outside the analytic community) of empirical research from a psychodynamic standpoint.

Overall, the conference added to my professional and educational development. In addition, the distinguished members who attended, didactic lectures, paper presentations, and empirical research studies served as an inspiration to me as well. Again I sincerely thank the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute for providing me with the opportunity and encouragement to attend the American Psychoanalytic Association’s Annual Winter Conference in New York.