Scientific Conferences
Multiple topics, perspectives, and organizations.
About
We host conferences each year for WBCP members and interested clinicians, with CME/CE credits available. We also collaborate with other organizations to co-sponsor events.
Events are scheduled throughout the year, focusing on: Cultural Competency, hosted by COWAP to increase a clinician’s competency within various cultural topics; A variety of issues within the LGBTQ communities are presented at the LGBTQ Conference; Ethics Conferences discuss various issues around ethics from a psychoanalytic viewpoint; Restricted to members of WBCP, Colloquium presents original papers by members of the WBCP community; The Raphling Conference presents various topics within psychoanalytic technique; Community Psychoanalysis Colloquium considers topics related to community psychoanalysis.
Continuing Education Units are not issued for partial attendance of one day programs
Contact
For more information about the Scientific Conferences please contact Archana Varma Caballeo, MD at archana@archanavarmamd.com.
Upcoming
July
Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
COWAP: Beauty and Gender: A Psychoanalytic Perspective: Session 3: Changing Notions of Beauty: The Importance of Culture and Technology: “Whose Face is it Anyway? “Beauty in the Age of High Technology”
COWAP: Beauty and Gender: A Psychoanalytic Perspective
Session 3: Changing Notions of Beauty: The Importance of Culture and Technology: “Whose Face is it Anyway? “Beauty
in the Age of High Technology”
Speakers: Rhonda Garelick, Margarita Cereijido, and Atsumi Minamisawa:
Saturday, July 25, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST
Via Zoom
1.5 CME/CE per session · 4.5 CME/CE total · Captions in all languages
This session explores, from a psychoanalytic perspective, how throughout history beauty ideals have been shaped by—and in
turn reinforce—notions of gender. The session highlights the role of the cultural values and technologies available at different
moments.
From prehistoric Venus figures emphasizing fertility, to the classical pursuit of youth, symmetry, and perfection, to
contemporary beauty increasingly mediated by digital culture, beauty ideals have continually shifted, reflecting the values of
their times.
Today, technologies—including digital platforms, cosmetic procedures, and appetite-suppressing drugs— promote beauty
ideals that often involve the inhibition of desire. We will explore how these forces may both enable and constrain women’s
multiple desires. We will also reflect on the subjective nature of gender. Rhonda Garelick, our main speaker, will talk about
“Whose Face is it Anyway?” Beauty in the Age of High Technology.”
Atsumi Minamisawa will talk about Mori, A Unique Visual Communication among Japanese adolescents.
October
Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Save the Date: Professional Will Boot Camp
WBCP presents
The Thomas and Julia Saltz Annual Adult Seminar Workshop
Professional Will Boot Camp
Saturday, October 24, 2026
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET
In-Person Workshop
Venue details to follow
Instructor
Jeffrey Axelbank, PsyD
About the Workshop
The Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis is pleased to announce a full-day workshop designed to help mental health practitioners create a Professional Will. This workshop addresses the emotional, ethical, and practical dimensions of professional will planning, guiding clinicians through the process step by step in a supportive environment. After addressing the emotional issues, there will be time during the workshop to draft your professional will.
Participants will have the opportunity to leave with a completed professional will in hand.
We warmly invite our colleagues from across the mental health community to join us for this meaningful event. Full program details, registration, and venue information will be announced soon.
About the Instructor
Jeffrey Axelbank, PsyD is a psychologist in Highland Park, NJ. He specializes in treating chronic pain and group therapy. He also consults to organizations. After his experience losing his long-time psychoanalyst to a sudden unexpected death was reported in the NY Times, he began running support groups for people whose therapists died.
Registration Information Coming Soon