CIPS Election 2008

President-Elect

LEIGH TOBIAS, PHD, FIPA

I have been active on the CIPS Board for the last three years as Recording Secretary and, during this past year, as a Director from PCC. In these capacities, and as a member of various CIPS committees, I have come to appreciate the growing value of the organization as well as the exceptional capacities of the CIPS Board and its members. I have become increasingly committed to CIPS and convinced of the importance of its political, organizational, and educational initiatives. As a member of the Board, I find myself deeply engaged in the opinions and concerns of the six CIPS societies as well the individuals speaking up from each society. 

We have an important agenda to fulfill. Some of the critical issues before us now are the survival of psychoanalysis in a changing world, the place of psychoanalysis in our society and culture, and the importance of safeguarding psychoanalysis in North America. We are engaged in lively and important discussions about standards of education and qualifications for practice, standards that protect the public while supporting and sustaining our capabilities as analysts. Related to the issue of standards, and basic to our identity as independent societies, is the importance of theoretical pluralism and the role of CIPS in nurturing the kind of dialogue between us that makes our theoretical differences exciting and productive. We are committed to having our unique voice heard in the organizational world of our profession. And there are important projects to support, including a proposed book series and inter-society research and educational projects.

As President of CIPS, I hope to promote and continue a meaningful dialogue between societies and members that leads to productive action. I have always been interested in — and a part of — groups and group processes. My bio reflects that. I will bring that interest and commitment to the work of CIPS and aim toward promoting constructive collaboration between our members and member societies.

Leigh Tobias, Ph.D., F.I.P.A. is a Clinical Psychologist and Associate Member/Assistant Faculty at the Psychoanalytic Center of California (PCC). She serves on the PCC Society Board, teaches and supervises in the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy program for PCC, and is Assistant Faculty in Core program for various courses, as well as a member of the Infant-Observation faculty. She also serves on several PCC committees, including the Membership Committee (which she chairs), the Continuing Education Committee, the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Program committee, and the Curriculum Committee. Leigh has served as Recording Secretary for CIPS, as a member of the CIPS Select Committee on IPA Election Procedures, the CIPS Public Policy Committee, and is currently a member of the CIPS Board. Dr. Tobias maintains a full time private practice with adults and couples in Beverly Hills. She also serves as an outside supervisor for the Wright Institute, Los Angeles, and the Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills.

Secretary-Elect

RANDI E. WIRTH, PHD, FIPA

My relationship with CIPS began during my years as a member at IPTAR where I became aware of CIPS' role as the voice of the independent institutes within the IPA. In 2005 I was asked to serve as IPTAR's representative to CIPS and, over the last three years, my involvement with the CIPS Board and with colleagues from our member institutes has given me a broad perspective on the important role CIPS plays in our professional lives.

My position as editor of the CIPS Enewsletter has been instrumental in giving me a deeper appreciation for how our membership can work together to promote our profession in these uncertain times. CIPS has served as advocate, watchdog, educator, lobbyist, and champion for a vast array of programs and issues. I never cease to be amazed with each issue of the Enewsletter, at the intellect, scholarship, and level of commitment of our members.

My relationship with CIPS has evolved considerably since my first Board meeting in Seattle. I participated in the last Clinical Conference in Los Angeles and was so struck by the synergy created when colleagues from around the country share their personal and clinical experience that I volunteered to chair next year's Clinical Conference in New York City.

If elected to serve as Secretary of CIPS, it will be my great pleasure to work with Leigh Tobias and the CIPS Board to continue the important work necessary to promote our common goals both within and between our institutes, and in the world wide psychoanalytic community.

Randi E. Wirth, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist with a private practice in New York City treating individuals and couples. With a special interest in the field of eating disorders, Dr. Wirth was the initial Chief Psychologist at the Renfrew Center and the Executive Director of the American Anorexia and Bulimia Association. She serves on the Society Board of IPTAR as well as on the CIPS Board of Representatives. Dr. Wirth serves on several IPTAR committees as a Society Administrator, Chair of the Graduation Organizing Committee, the Public Relations Committee, and the Committee on Art and Psychoanalysis. She serves CIPS as the Editor of the Enewsletter, as co-chair of the Appointments Committee, and on the Select Committee on IPA Election Procedures.