Our History
IAPSP traces its origins to the 1960’s to the small group meetings in Chicago led by Heinz Kohut, the originator of what came to be called Self Psychology. Initial members in the group were John Gedo, Arnold Goldberg, Michael Basch, Marian Tolpin, Paul Tolpin, Anna Ornstein, Paul Ornstein, & Ernest Wolf.
Evolving Self Psychology Since Its Inception
Timeline of the Whos and Whats of IAPSP
1977
The first annual conference on the Psychology of the Self is held--the same year Kohut publishes The Restoration of the Self.
1981
The Self Psychology organization is incorporated, inspired by the increasing number of professionals interested in the study and development of Kohut's theory. The papers of incorporation, signed by Marian Tolpin, Paul Tolpin, and Ernest Wolf, set out a mission: "to promote or encourage education and research in the psychoanalytic study of the self."
Oct 4, 1981 - Kohut gives his last talk, “Reflections on Empathy,” at the IAPSP conference in Berkeley, CA-- 4 days before he dies.
1985
First publication of "Progress in Self Psychology," an annual book given to attendees at each conference from 1985 through 2005. This volume helps shape the theoretical and clinical agenda of self psychology in the decades following Kohut's death.
1999
First International Conference on the Psychology of the Self held outside the USA—in Toronto, Canada.
2004
We reorganize as a member-based organization with democratically elected
2006
Our "International Journal of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology," a peer-reviewed quarterly, is born—with William J. Coburn as editor-in-chief. Renamed "Psychoanalysis, Self and Context" in 2017.
2007
New name: the International Association of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology. Papers are signed by James Fosshage and Estelle Shane.
2010
First non-North American conference - held in Antalya, Turkey. Subsequent non-American conferences held in Jerusalem (2014), Vienna (2018), Vancouver (2019), and Rome (2024).
2020
First Zoom conferences: During the pandemic we met online for a series of 3 international conferences. In addition, ongoing member-led "Covid groups" helped members from around the world stay connected.
2022
First Hybrid International conference: Held in person in DC and live-streamed on Zoom. Annual conferences continue to be held in-person and online, so members who cannot travel can join us virtually.
2023
IAPSP’s DEI statement is posted and ongoing anti-racism groups are developed.
2025
We have 1,000 members world-wide, and you can make it 1,001!
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