How Mechanisms of Psychoanalytic Defense Perpetuate Racism in America

Sep 3, 2024

Dr. Dionne Powell, a contributor to 'Black Psychoanalysts Speak' and an expert on race and psychoanalysis, joins the discussion on how psychological defense mechanisms underpin systemic racism in America. The conversation dives deep into the collective silence within the therapeutic community surrounding racial trauma, emphasizing the need for open dialogue. Strategies like denial and neglect are explored as major contributors to ongoing injustices, while engaging discussions on historical impacts and the importance of community in healing highlight the urgency for societal change.

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Intro

00:00 • 1min

Psychoanalysis and Racism: A Deep Dive

01:30 • 17min

Exploring Psychoanalytic Defense and Racism

18:01 • 2min

Confronting Racial Denial

19:57 • 13min

Exploring Psychological Mechanisms of Defense in Racism

33:22 • 3min

Embracing Dialogue on Sadness and Racism

36:12 • 7min

The third podcast in this series focuses on an article written by Dr. Dionne Powell who participated in the 2014 documentary, “Black Psychoanalysts Speak,” which was an excellent film created by Basia Winograd. Dr. Powell’s JAPA article written in 2018 was entitled, “Race, African Americans, and Psychoanalysis: Collective Silence in the Therapeutic Situation.” This is a an important illustration of racism in America and ties in nicely with our topic about psychoanalytic mechanisms of defense.

Dr. Karyne E. Messina is a psychologist and child, adolescent and adult psychoanalyst. In addition to maintaining a full-time private practice in Chevy Chase, Maryland, she is on the medical staff of Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland which is part of Johns Hopkins Medicine. She is a podcast host for the New Books Network and chair of the Department of Psychoanalytic Education’s (DPE) Scholarship and Writing section which is part of the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsA). She is a member of the AI Council of APsA (CAI). She has also written and edited six books. Her topics focus on applying psychoanalytic ideas to real-world issues we all face in our complex world.

Dr. Felecia Powell-Williams is a child and adolescent supervising psychoanalyst at the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies in Houston, Texas, where she also holds the position of President of Board of Directors. Dr. Felecia Powell-Williams is also a faculty member in the Child and Adult Training Programs. In addition, she provides clinical supervision for the State of Texas licensing board, as well as supervision as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor with the Association for Play Therapy. She is also the chair of the Department of Psychoanalytic Education’s (DPE) Diversity section which is part of the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsA).

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