Alicia A. MacDougall, PsyD, ABPP
Q. What is your practice like, and how did you get there?
A. I have worked in a wide range of treatment settings, including child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient units, adult psychiatric inpatient units, adult medical inpatient services, consultation-liaison services on medical and surgical floors, pediatric and adult ICUs, ambulatory clinics, and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In these roles, I have provided psychotherapy, consultation, and clinical supervision to medical students, psychiatry residents, psychology practicum students, predoctoral interns, and postdoctoral fellows.
Currently, I own a private practice where I provide outpatient psychotherapy and clinical consultation to local school districts, including psychotherapy, psychodiagnostic, and psychoeducational evaluations for IEP services. My practice serves individuals across the lifespan and encompasses a wide range of clinical presentations. Areas of focus include severe and persistent mental illness, mood and personality disorders, psychological responses to acute and chronic medical conditions, somatic symptom presentations, and experiences of psychological and physical trauma. I also work with parents of children with current or past NICU experiences and provide services related to perinatal and postpartum concerns.
In addition to clinical work, I serve as Affiliate Faculty at Antioch University New England, where I teach and provide clinical supervision in the Clinical Psychology doctoral program.
Q. What is the most interesting/challenging/fulfilling aspect of your work as a psychologist?
A. Because I work with such a wide range of clinical presentations, each day brings unique challenges and opportunities. Approaching therapy from a psychoanalytic and psychodynamic perspective allows me to understand individuals in a deep and meaningful way—how they think, feel, and experience the world, and how their life experiences have shaped those patterns.
It is particularly compelling to observe how these dynamics emerge in the transference and countertransference. When these observations can be thoughtfully introduced into the therapeutic process, they often serve as catalysts for meaningful intrapsychic change. Witnessing this kind of transformation—seeing shifts that alter the trajectory of a person’s life—is profoundly fulfilling.
At the same time, the work can be emotionally demanding. It is not easy to hear about or witness the difficult experiences of people you care about. While systemic barriers can complicate access to care, I feel privileged to provide support during some of the most challenging moments in people’s lives.
Q. What motivated you to seek board certification in Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Psychology?
A. I pursued board certification as a way to provide transparency and accountability in my clinical work. When I sit with a patient or provide consultation, I want the person across from me to feel confident that my work is grounded in rigorous education and training.
Individuals seeking psychological services are often already in a state of uncertainty or distress. For me, it feels ethically important to reduce any additional uncertainty about the clinician’s qualifications. Board certification through the American Board of Professional Psychology offers a clear, externally validated indicator that they are working with a thoroughly trained and vetted professional.
Q. What advice would you give a candidate for board certification?
A. I encourage candidates to make full use of the resources available to them. The Board and Academy, as well as those who are already board certified in PA/PD, are highly supportive and invested in helping others succeed.
For those early in training, I recommend connecting with mentors and professionals involved in the psychoanalytic and psychodynamic community to explore opportunities for further engagement. For more experienced clinicians, reaching out to board-certified colleagues can provide valuable guidance and perspective.
The Academy is also an excellent resource for learning about credentialing, accessing mentorship, and becoming involved in advocacy. Reviewing the Academy website and reaching out to designated contacts with specific questions can be especially helpful.
Q. What would readers be most surprised to learn about you?
A. I am a weightlifter and train in Olympic-style lifting, spending about five days a week in the gym. On the other days, I enjoy playing soccer, hiking with my dog, and snowboarding. I value an active lifestyle and enjoy being challenged both physically and intellectually—qualities that also drew me to psychoanalytic and psychodynamic practice.
Lewis Aron, PhD, ABPP
Q. What is your practice like?
A. I have been actively engaged in the field of psychotherapy for over 40 years. I now dedicate most of my time to teaching and supervising psychotherapists, while continuing to maintain a small clinical practice that includes consultation, evaluation, referral, and brief intervention services.
As Director of the Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis at New York University, I oversee program activities and contribute to the postgraduate education of the next generation of psychologist-psychoanalysts. In addition, as Co-Editor of the Relational Perspectives Book Series and through my own writing, I aim to advance the theory, research, and practice of contemporary psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.
Much of my time is also devoted to leading private study and reading groups for clinicians. While many of these groups meet in person in New York City, an increasing number are conducted online with participants from around the world. More information is available on my website.
I have served as President of Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) of the American Psychological Association; Founding President of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy; and Founding President of the Division of Psychologist-Psychoanalysts of the New York State Psychological Association. I am also Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Sándor Ferenczi Center at the New School for Social Research. Across these roles, my goal has been to further professionalize psychoanalytic psychology and expand its reach.
Q. What motivated you to seek board certification?
A. The American Board of Professional Psychology provides both peer and public recognition of demonstrated competence in a specialty area of psychology. The leadership of Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) within the American Psychological Association worked for many years to secure this recognition within the field.
It has long seemed to me that promoting board certification is an important way to establish psychoanalysis as a recognized specialty within professional psychology. For that reason, I pursued certification early in my career and have since encouraged colleagues and students to do the same when eligible.
Q. What was the most challenging/interesting/surprising aspect of the board certification process?
A. Although many years have passed since my certification, I recall the process as warm, collegial, and respectful. I presented a case history and process notes from a long-term analysis, which led to an engaging and intellectually stimulating discussion.
The exchange was both challenging and generative, offering an opportunity to learn through dialogue with colleagues. I especially recall a thoughtful discussion of ethical considerations that deepened my understanding of the work.
Q. What have you found most valuable or rewarding about board certification?
A. My professional identity integrates both clinical psychology—licensed in New York State—and psychoanalysis, supported by advanced postdoctoral training. I continue to work toward the advancement of both fields and identify as a psychologist-psychoanalyst.
I am proud to be a board-certified specialist in psychoanalysis and to use this designation in my professional communications. A central aim of my work is to further the professionalization of psychoanalysis and to support its continued recognition as a specialty within psychology.
Q. What would readers be most surprised to learn about you?
A. Many who are familiar with my work as a clinical psychoanalyst are surprised to learn that I also spend one day each week consulting with executives, businesses, and organizations. In particular, I frequently consult with New York City hedge funds, where I have developed expertise in interviewing, assessment, and executive consultation.
Colleagues are often also surprised to learn that I play both lead and rhythm guitar in a psychoanalytic rock band called “SIG!!!,” which I founded around 2004. The band is composed entirely of psychoanalysts and psychotherapists, and we perform classic rock at professional events and fundraisers.