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The Society's History

How It All Began

In the winter of 1958, a group of psychoanalysts in Denver, Colorado, all graduates of a Psychoanalytic Institute accredited by the American Psychoanalytic Association, met to form a discussion group. After considerable deliberation, it was decided that the organization of the group should be largely unstructured and informal, that there should be no constitution of by-laws. Dr. Rene Spitz was asked to assume a position of leadership for the group and the secretarial work was to be carried on by Dr. Eleanor Steele. 

The discussion group grew and on April 10, 1962, the Denver Psychoanalytic Society was organized.  It was accepted as an Affiliate Society of the American Psychoanalytic Association on May 6, 1962.

The Society has grown into a multi-disciplinary organization of psychoanalysts, psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapists, and non mental health professionals who support the diversity of psychoanalytic and psychodynamic perspectives to encourage creative learning and professional development for all participants.

Charter Members

  • John D. Benjamin, M.D., 
  • Gaston F. Blum, M.D., 
  • Henry H. Brewster, M.D., 
  • James F. Dyde, M.D., 
  • Julie Eisenbud, M.D.,
  • Herbert S. Gaskill, M.D., 
  • Laurence B. Hall, M.D, 
  • Margaret Hitchman, M.D.,
  • Edith B. Jackson, M.D., 
  • Sydney G. Margolin, M.D., 
  • William M. Shanahan, M.D., 
  • Rene A. Spitz, M.D., 
  • Brandt F. Steele, M.D., 
  • Eleanor A. Steele, M.D.

Society Presidents

1962-1963 Rene A. Spitz, M.D.

1963-1964 Brandt F. Steele, M.D.

1964-1965 John D. Benjamin, M.D.

1965-1966 Gaston E. Blom, M.D.

1966-1967 Sydney G. Margolin, M.D.

1967-1968 Laurence B. Hall, M.D.

1968-1970 Eleanor A. Steele, M.D.

1970-1971 Jule Eisenbud, M.D.

1971-1973 Warren S. Kennison, M.D.

1973-1975 Stanley S. Weiss, M.D.

1975-1977 Thomas J. Luparello, M.D.

1977-1979 Jacob G. Jacobson, M.D.


1979-1981 Herbert S. Gaskill, M.D.

1981-1983 Herbert Kritzer, M.D.

1983-1985 William E. Bernstein, M.D.

1985-1987 Richard B. Cattell, M.D.

1987-1989 David M. Hurst, M.D.

1989-1991 Peter Mayerson, M.D.

1991-1993 Gary C. Martin, M.D.

1993-1995 Paula P. Bernstein, Ph.D.

1995-1997 Calvern E. Narcisi, M.D.

1997-1999 Paula P. Bernstein, Ph.D.

1999-2001 Mary Ann Levy, M.D.

2001-2003 Barbara C. Unger, Ph.D.

2003-2005 Cynthia Rose, M.D.

2005-2007 Arthur D. Garfein, M.D.

2007-2009 Randolph W. Pock, M.D.

2009-2011 Ronnie M. Shaw, APRN, BC

2011-2013 Rex H. McGehee, M.D.

2013-2015 Margy Stewart, Psy.D.

2015-2016 Geoff B. Heron, M.D.

2016-2019 Ben Green, M.D.

2019-2021 Margy Stewart, Psy.D.

2021-2023 Lynne Gillick, Ph.D., FABP

2023-2025 Larry Mortazavi, M.D.

Society Timeline

 1950s

1958 - A group of psychoanalysts in Denver, Colorado, all graduates of a Psychoanalytic Institute accredited by APsA, met to form a discussion group. After considerable deliberation, it was decided that the organization of the group should be largely unstructured and informal, that there should be no constitution of by-laws. 

  
 1960s

April 10, 1962 - The discussion group grew culminating in the decision to organize and form the Denver Psychoanalytic Society.

May 6, 1962 - Society accepted as an Affiliate Society of the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsA).

  
 1970s

February 1974 - First Society Newsletter published.

1975 - Society gets a phone number published in the yellow pages. In the first three months, 11 inquires were received for referrals, and folks were able to call to register for classes/events. The Society's name was out in public, gaining visibility.

  
 1980s 1981 - The first Herbert S. Gaskill, M.D. Award was given to E. Earlene Dal Pozzo, M.D. recognizing a scholarly writing.  
 1990s 

1992 - Denver Psychoanalytic Society starts a Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program (PTP).

1998 - The Denver Psychoanalytic Society Fund, a 501(c)3, was established to receive tax-deductible contributions.

  
 2000s

2004 - A joint Institute & Society website was launched.

2005 - As the Society's Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program (PTP) expanded, the decision was made to incorporate it under the Denver Institute for Psychoanalysis. 

2006 - Formation of the Preschool Outreach Service committee. 

2008 - Distinguished Service Award created to recognize a member of the Society who has given selflessly of time and energy to our community and our Society. The first recipient was Dr. Margy Stewart, PsyD.

 
 2010s 2015 - Denver Psychoanalytic Society creates a social media presence through Facebook and Twitter.  
 2020s

September 2022 - Society launches its own website (separate from the Denver Institute for Psychoanalysis).

November 28, 2023 - IRS approves the Denver Psychoanalytic Society as a 501(c)3 organization (The Society Fund was dissolved).

April 2024 - Society's LinkedIn profile created.

  



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