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I am honored to be a nominee for the new Candidate Councilor-at-Large Position. Since I began my candidacy six years ago, I have been actively engaged in APsaA on the Candidates’ Council, which I believe is a critical entry point for all candidates becoming involved in APsaA as well as in having a voice in the future of psychoanalysis. I have had the privilege of serving on multiple APsaA committees, which has fueled my passion and conviction about the importance of being involved as a way to positively impact both the future of psychoanalysis and our organization.

Currently, my APsaA commitments include serving as Secretary of the Candidates’ Council, Chair of the Child and Adolescent Committee on the Candidates’ Council, Candidate Representative to the DPE Institute and Advisory Consultative Section, Candidate Representative to the DPE Child and Adolescent Section, and a Member of the Candidate Study Group: Challenges in Training.

At my home institute, the New Center for Psychoanalysis (NCP), Los Angeles, I am currently the Co-director of the membership Division, a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, the Board of Directors, and of the Child Committee and Child Study group. I have also served as President of the NCP Candidate Organization, Junior Member-at-large, as well as on the New Initiatives and Outreach Committees. I have also served as the Candidate IPSO representative.

Presently, we are in both an exciting as well as challenging time as APsaA transitions to a membership organization. We are facing some specific changes in terms of financial health, membership retention and recruitment. I believe that active outreach and recruitment of undergraduates and graduate students of all disciplines via our APsaA institutes positioned close to universities and graduate schools is ultimately the best way to provide ongoing education about psychoanalysis and our organization. Targeted outreach and education about psychoanalysis to young early career professionals from mental health and allied academic fields would lead to a healthier, more diverse and robust membership. Also, continued increased visibility via social media to educate the public about the value of psychoanalysis, promote our organization and conferences, and our ongoing advocacy for mental health issues in our communities both locally and nationally.

If elected to serve as the Candidate Councilor-at-large I would be available to candidates to hear about their ideas and concerns about our field and organization, and would represent candidates’ best interests while working creatively on the Executive Council to ensure APsaA continues to thrive and grow.

I welcome the opportunity to serve on the Executive Council and I can be reached at: drsandylanden@gmail.com.