The Analyst's Advocate

The Analyst's Advocate: Advocating for Psychoanalysis in the popular media

by Washington DC Psychologist, Psychoanalyst, Dr. Lynn Friedman

This column originally published in the February 2001 newsletter of the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute

(c) 2001 Lynn Friedman, Ph.D.

Advocating for psychoanalysis in the popular print media

As a profession we need to be more active in helping the public to understand the nature of our work. That is, we need to explain how psychoanalysis can be helpful. Writing for the popular media will increase public awareness of the benefits of psychoanalysis. But, how does one select a compelling topic? How does one create articles with broad public appeal? How does one effectively pursue publication? What are some of the benefits of these efforts? Each will be addressed in turn.

Selecting a compelling topic with broad public appeal

Select a topic with which you have considerable interest and expertise. Consider one of your adjuvant professional interests or your favorite avocation. An artist might write about art and a policy wonk about politics. Choose a topic with broad appeal. For example, topics such as, dating, marriage, commitment, divorce, exercise, dieting, parenting, politics, T.V. violence, image and work may interest the public.

For many people the topic of psychoanalysis is unfamiliar, therefore it can be helpful to introduce analytic understandings gradually and only after establishing credibility with editors and readers. One way to establish credibility and to build readership is to write broad-based articles that address the everyday psychological aspects of an issue. Because analytic understandings can be applied to everyday life, it's important to focus on how our theory relates to the human condition instead of pathologizing.

For example, in writing about dieting and exercise, one might address the psychological benefits of normal dieting and exercise. In the initial articles for a publication, the writer might make only brief mention of dieting and exercise gone awry. Once several articles have been well-received, the writer might gradually shift, to a more analytic focus,and examine the psychodynamics underlying eating-disordered behavior.

There are many psychoanalytic concepts of great interest to the lay person. Describing and elaborating these concepts in lay terms can be very useful. For example, since every behavior can be understood as a compromise formation, the writer might apply this concept as it relates to their topic. That is, in writing about relationships, one might examine why some individuals consistently make choices that lead to misery. A few sentences about how and when psychoanalysis might be helpful these situations will provide an important public service.

Getting your articles published

You have selected a topic. You have planned a series of articles. How do you get published in the popular media? There are many different strategies that you might pursue. First, consider the readers who you might like to reach. What publications do they read? Review these publications. How long are the articles? How are they written? Where might your work be incorporated? Do you want to be paid for your efforts or is the increased visibility, for psychoanalysis, enough compensation? The answers to these questions will dictate the strategy that you select. Here are some possible methods:

• Generate a series of articles, and post them on your web site. List your site with the major search engines, and publishers may come to you.
• Directly contact organizations that might be interested in your topic, and invite them to link to your web site.
• Submit your articles, directly, to the editors of magazines and newspapers that publish similar pieces.
• Submit your articles to the newsletters of adjacent professional groups. For example, if you write on eating and exercise, you could offer to write a column in a newsletter written for dieticians or health club members. Parenting columns could be published in a newsletter for parents without partners, and articles on dating could be published in the newsletters of singles clubs. Participate in listservs where people share your interest, in the topic about which you write. When the topic is addressed, reference your own web site.
• Participate on electronic message boards, such as those on ivillage. If you are consistent in your participation, the editors will see your work and you may be invited to play a more formal role.

Your decision as to whether you seek compensation will dictate which strategies you may consider. Many publications can not afford to pay free-lancers. If this is the case, consider bartering, in exchange for your copy.

Benefits derived from writing

There are many benefits of writing for the popular media, for both you and for our institute. Most importantly, you will have helped to demystify psychoanalysis. Also, your efforts will culminate in public speaking engagements and visibility. Individuals in distress will be more familiar with the ways in which our profession can be helpful. And, they will be more likely to seek help when they need it.

(c) 2001 Lynn Friedman, Ph.D.

More articles from the Analyst's Advocate

• Psychoanalytic Advocacy: How a Psychoanalyst can become a University Lecturer
• Psychoanalytic consultation: Transcending Traditional Boundaries
• Advocating for Psychoanalysis in the Popular Media