Siri Gullestad, PhD, Wins The Sigourney Award 2019
/Gullestad joins esteemed winners from Argentina, Germany and the United States earning the distinguished, independent prize advancing psychanalysis and psychoanalytic thought for the betterment of mankind.
Seattle, WA — July 9, 2020 – The Sigourney Trust has presented its highly prestigious Sigourney Award 2019 to Siri Gullestad, PhD, for her work as a researcher, theoretician and educator in Norway, and as a powerful public voice for psychanalysis, significantly contributing to the public good, a hallmark of the annual award.
Gullestad’s work has profoundly impacted the evolution and acceptance of psychoanalytic understanding as a scientific discipline in Norway. A researcher, theoretician, educator, and clinician, Gullestad developed a highly innovative psychoanalytic theory that integrates structural and relational approaches to psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic therapy. She applied her model within both university and clinical settings, developing and advancing theory as well as providing a major advance in clinical technique. A well-respected spokesperson for psychoanalysis, she is skillful at communicating the importance of unconscious conflict and fantasy to the general public and to academic colleagues.
During a time in Norway when psychoanalysis was under great threat, Gullestad’s work as a teacher, researcher and public advocate was vital to preserving and ultimately growing the profession. At the University of Oslo, Gullestad directed the Department of Psychology and the Clinic for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Working with Bjørn Killingmo, she produced a significant body of work focused on psychoanalytic training and oversaw its adoption in the university setting. Gullestad’s theoretical work, The Theory and Practice of Psychoanalytic Therapy: Listening for the Subtext, co-authored with Killingmo, is an innovative integration of object relational and structural perspectives in a theoretical position called “relational-oriented character-analysis.” The success of her work within a university training program has allowed it to make a major contribution to psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis’ development in China, where her work has attracted great interest.
Gullestad, who has served as head of the Department of Psychology and leader of the Clinic for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at the University of Oslo, joins three additional recipients in the international psychoanalytic community to earn the notable award and substantial cash prize. The Sigourney Award rewards those whose work within the past 10 years proves to be insightful or ground-breaking, advancing the understanding or evolution of psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic thought while advancing the public good.
“Gullestad’s work is deserving of recognition as her approach and clear communication methods have deepened the Norwegian community’s understanding and acceptance of psychanalysis,” says Dr. William A. Myerson, PhD, MBA, co-trustee of The Sigourney Trust. “We are proud to applaud her efforts which reflect our founder, Mary Sigourney’s, intention to reward the best successes in the world,” he added.
The 2019 winners join a long list of the world’s top talent who, since 1990, have been honored with The Sigourney Award. In addition to Gullestad, The Sigourney Award 2019 was presented to Dr. Rodolfo Moguillansky from Argentina, Partners in Confronting Collective Atrocities (PCCA), a not-for-profit charitable organization based in Germany, and Dr. Henri Parens from the United States.
“Today, psychoanalysis embraces a range of philosophies, modern clinical theories, social advocacy, culture, art, and research. The Sigourney Trust honors the expansion and connection of psychoanalysis to many fields of study and experience through the independent Sigourney Award,” said Dr. Myerson.
Applications for The Sigourney Award 2020 are being accepted through Sept. 15, 2020. Visit www.sigourneyaward.org for information and find The Sigourney Award on social platforms including Facebook and LinkedIn @SigourneyAward.
About The Sigourney Award
Established by Mary Sigourney in 1989, The Sigourney Award offers independent, international recognition and a substantial cash prize for outstanding work that advances psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic thought. Ms. Sigourney was a psychotherapist, publisher, and community activist who had a passionate interest in psychoanalysis and understood its ability to benefit and extend human conversation across various disciplines. To date, 129 Award Recipients from 21 countries represent her global vision. The Sigourney Award recipients’ ground-breaking work has significantly contributed to human affairs on topics ranging from neuroscience to feminism.