April 14, 2025

Dear Members,

We received the attached document from the International Psychoanalytic Association some weeks ago. As board members, we needed some time for reflection on the statement and what it means to us as therapists and psychoanalysts.

We would like to acknowledge the difficulties that are being experienced by many and in many parts of the world because of the recent directive from the President of the United States of America regarding equity, diversity and inclusion. The gains that had been made to give voice to, and acceptance of, the other have been dismantled. A new era of fear for difference has arisen, and there appears to be no room for acceptance or tolerance of the other.

As therapists and board members of CAPCT we feel that it is our role to speak out against the silencing of voices and placing limitations on what can be heard or said by preferencing some voices over others. Psychoanalytically it is important to give space to the other minds, other ways of thinking and being. It is our responsibility to be open to uncertainty and to be able to walk side by side with the person or the peoples as they traverse the journey of uncertainty.

Tammy Cravit is a transwoman who most recently gave a talk to our membership and spoke about what it was like to live with uncertainty and in a body that did not feel right – to know that you should be someone else but that you are too scared of the unknown; too scared to share your innermost thoughts with someone because of what you were thinking and feeling.

It is our role as therapists to hold that space. To walk alongside difference and uncertainty until they can walk by themselves. Consequently, it is for all these reasons that we are choosing to share the message from IPA with you today.

CAPCT Board of Directors