PROGRAM INFORMATION
Description: When Dr. Frankfeldt lost her analyst in 2024, she turned to an unexpected companion: ChatGPT. What began as a cursory attempt at coping with grief became a profound reckoning with her own ambivalence about AI, a journey she has since turned into an unflinching and deeply personal paper.
Dr. Frankfeldt used ChatGPT to help her explore a dream she had about that loss — and discovered surprising depths of insight and self-understanding. The AI even offered some solace during a time when beginning with a new analyst felt unpalatable. Yet the difference between intellectual insight provided by a machine and what is offered by a human-to-human relationship became unquestionably clear.
For a "proper" analyst who had always upheld the frame that provides a safe holding environment for treatment, was using ChatGPT as an adjunct helper "sleeping with the enemy"?
Dr. Frankfeldt’s commitment to human communication came up against ChatGPT's now-familiar "superpowers" — mirroring, sycophancy, and validation — raising urgent questions for the entire field:
- The field of psychoanalysis is in jeopardy now that free or cheap AI "therapy" apps have become ubiquitous. Are analysts colluding with the erosion of the field?
- Why are people — even therapists — flocking to chatbots for "therapy" in the first place?
- What is the allure, usefulness, and danger of AI "therapy" apps?
- What does it mean to reach a patient with a quintessentially human emotional communication?
This honest, searching talk raises essential questions for anyone who cares about the future of psychoanalysis and the irreplaceable human dimension of clinical work.
CME Objectives: (Participants will be able to:)
- Describe the forces that make use of AI increasingly appealing.
- Discuss the threat of AI in potentially replacing therapists.
- Summarize the differences between an AI therapy bot and a human psychotherapist.
________________________________________________________
PRESENTER BIOGRAPHY
Valerie Frankfeldt, PhD is a training analyst, faculty member, and supervisor at the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center. She has a special interest in the effects of technology on analytic work. Dr. Frankfeldt is a member of the American Psychoanalytic Association Council on AI and Psychoanalysis. She is in private practice seeing individuals and couples and providing clinical consultation in Greenwich Village in New York City.
________________________________________________________
PROGRAM DETAILS
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 PM (MDT)
Cost:
- DPS Members: $30
- Non-DPS Members: $45
- Students: $10
Guest Registration: Guests may be added to a DPS Member, Non-DPS Member, or Student registration for $10. Credit is not available for guests.
Registration: Registration is required and will close on September 10th. The cancellation policy is listed below.
Credit Note: Registration is required for CME credit. Guest registrations are not eligible for credit.
Donations: Consider including a donation with your registration to ensure programs like this continue to reach our community. Even a small gift creates a big impact. We are grateful for your support!
________________________________________________________
CME INFORMATION
1.5 CME credits available
CME Certificates: To receive a CME certificate, the attendee must: pre-register, pay in full, attend the session with your name clearly labeled in Zoom, and complete an online evaluation within 7 days following the program.
An email with the evaluation link will be emailed after the program. Credit will be issued for actual participation time in 15-minute increments. CME certificates will be emailed within 2 weeks following the event if the evaluation is completed. Enabling your video while participating is strongly encouraged.
ACCME Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association and Denver Psychoanalytic Society. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA Credit Designation Statement
The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure Statement
The APsA CE Committee has reviewed the materials for accredited continuing education and has determined that this activity is not related to the product line of ineligible companies and therefore, the activity meets the exception outlined in Standard 3: ACCME's identification, mitigation and disclosure of relevant financial relationship. This activity does not have any known commercial support.
________________________________________________________
POLICIES
Confidentiality: During all programs, we will follow rules of confidentiality for clinical case material including disguising identifying information. Please do not discuss any case material outside of this program. Recording without authorization is prohibited.
Cancellation: While we understand that plans can change unexpectedly, our program arrangements and financial commitments are finalized in advance. For this reason, we cannot issue refunds for cancellations made within 10 days of the program. Thank you for understanding.
