Honoring Trailblazing Work Expanding Psychoanalytic Thought Globally
In its 35th year, the Mary Sigourney Trust continues to recognize and reward outstanding work that fosters greater understanding, innovation, and acceptance of psychoanalysis and its societal benefits. A notable panel of anonymous judges evaluated a broad spectrum of work from 11 countries and selected four bodies of creative work that epitomizes Mary Sigourney’s vision supporting the evolution of psychoanalysis.
“The 2025 recipients’ work demonstrates a renaissance of creative and applied psychoanalytic thought. This work enhances and influences understanding and acceptance of psychoanalysis and its benefits to society,” says Robin A. Deutsch, PhD, Analyst Trustee.
“The persistent rumors of the irrelevance of psychoanalysis have once again been powerfully refuted by the extraordinary work being done around the world by clinicians, researchers, writers, activists, and artists.”
Thank You Applicants, Nominators and Supporters
To all who applied or provided nomination or letters/forms of support, thank you! Your engagement will inspire and influence the next generation of psychoanalytic thought leaders. The 2026 application window opens March 1, 2026.
Winners In Their Own Words
Learn more about the diverse work of our winners. Each year topics continue to advance modern psychoanalytic concepts and techniques in new and inventive ways. Our 2025 Winners will launch their videos in 2026.
Myth or Truth?
For more than three decades, The Sigourney Award has honored exceptional contributions to the field of psychoanalysis on a global scale. Mary Sigourney’s independent trust established an Award to acknowledge and foster the integration of psychoanalytic concepts across various disciplines.
Our mission is to inspire individuals worldwide to either submit their work for consideration or nominate others whose contributions stand out. As members of The Sigourney Award’s Volunteer Advisory Council, we hope to offer facts that dispel untruths and help broaden worldwide recognition of the Award.
Ines Bayona Villegas, Columbia | Stefano Bolognini, MD, Italy | Peter Fonagy PhD, United Kingdom | Glen Gabbard, MD, United States | Maria Teresa Savio Hooke, OAM, Australia | Mark Solms, MD, PhD, South Africa
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Contrary to the belief that The Sigourney Award is a culmination of a lifetime’s work, it is not a lifetime achievement award. Mary Sigourney stipulated that the award should recognize work accomplished within the decade preceding the award year, making it accessible to a broader range of professionals at various stages of their careers.
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While nominations are welcomed and valued, eligibility for The Sigourney Award is not contingent upon nomination by peers within the psychoanalytic community. Self-nominated and peer-nominated applicants undergo the same comprehensive evaluation process.
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Actually, The Sigourney Award honors contributions that employ psychoanalytic concepts in innovative ways across a diverse array of fields. Work eligible for consideration may include achievements in academic research, clinical practice, and other disciplines such as anthropology, the arts, child development, criminology, law, medicine, philosophy, psychology, and sociology.
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The work needs to be outstanding or innovative, not necessarily well-known. The Sigourney Award’s application process is designed to help applicants describe the impact of their work and how it has advanced psychoanalytic thought or principles within the ten year period prior to the Award.
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The work needs to be outstanding or innovative, The Sigourney Award is not restricted by geographic region or language barriers. The application process now accommodates submissions in over 150 languages.not necessarily well-known. The Sigourney Award’s application process is designed to help applicants describe the impact of their work and how it has advanced psychoanalytic thought or principles within the ten year period prior to the Award.
Welcoming the World!
Click the red “translate” button below to view The Sigourney Award website in any of these languages: Chinese: 点击下面的红色翻译按钮 French: cliquez sur le bouton de traduction rouge ci-dessous German: klicken Sie auf die rote Übersetzungsschaltfläche unten Italian: clicca sul pulsante rosso traduci qui sotto Japanese: 下の赤い翻訳ボタンをクリックしてください Portuguese: clique no botão vermelho traduzir abaixo Spanish: haga clic en el botón rojo de traducir a continuación
Mary’s Vision
Mary Sigourney created The Sigourney Award because she understood the significant contributions and lasting benefits of psychoanalysis, its ability to reduce human suffering, and its value in understanding human affairs.
Mary believed that psychoanalysis and the application of its principles extend well beyond psychoanalytic research, therapy, and teaching and wanted to recognize other types of work as well. Today, psychoanalysis embraces a range of philosophies, modern clinical theories, social advocacy, culture, art, and research. The Trust honors the expansion and connection of psychoanalysis to many fields of study and experience through The Sigourney Award.
Significant works by clinicians, theorists, teachers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers, and other professionals and organizations are eligible for the award. Applicants are strongly encouraged to cite specific examples of their work’s impact or influence on psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic thought or practice, or public awareness of psychoanalysis in any realm—academic, applied, theoretical, clinical, creative, or social justice.
About the Work
Join a conversation with The Sigourney Award Community. Learn more about the inspiring work directly from our past recipients in their own words.
Apply
Applicants are encouraged submit work that applies or contributes psychoanalytic principles to medicine, psychiatry, other sciences, the arts, literature, or film. Applications will be accepted from all geographic locations starting March 1, 2026.
Who is Eligible?
Past Honorees
Our community of 153 honorees represent the forward-thinking that founder Mary Sigourney envisioned. Explore the impact made by past Award Recipient’s work.
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