The Bernard L. Pacella, MD Parent Child Center

About Us: History

In 2001, The Parent Child Center of the New York Psychoanalytic Society received a significant donation from an anonymous donor as a tribute to Bernard L. Pacella, MD The Center was renamed, The Bernard L. Pacella, MD, Parent Child Center of The New York Psychoanalytic Society, honoring Dr. Pacella for his work with children dating back to co-editing a book with Nolan D. C. Lewis, MD in 1945, "Modern Trends in Child Psychiatry." Dr. Pacella, first certified in neurophysiology and neurology, trained in psychoanalysis with Ernst Kris, Edith Jacobson, and Otto Isakower and collaborated with Phyllis Greenacre and particuarly with Margaret S. Mahler. He is a past President of the Margaret S. Mahler Psychiatric Research Foundation.

The Parent Child Center , established in 1991, has developed a model program of parent child groups, with parents and children (birth through 3 years). Over the last few years, the Center has begun to receive funding that has allowed it to expand its programming (beginning the development of a research program and since 9/11, begun a Trauma/Support Center).

With the inauguration of the Pacella Parent Child Center , we have expanded to establish a solid research program, a Comprehensive Psychoeducational Evaluation Program, expand our outreach activities, include services for children up to adolescence, families and are planning to extend our activities to families and children from disadvantaged situations

The Center, The New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, and The New York Psychoanalytic Foundation are most grateful to the generous donor and to Arnold D. Richards, MD, without whose energy and devotion to psychoanalysis and The New York Psychoanalytic Society, this gift would not have occurred.

The Bernard L. Pacella, MD Parent Child Center of The New York Psychoanalytic Society began in 1991. In the late 1980s, those who were most instrumental in the formation of the Center included Marlene and Henry Nunberg, who discussed the possibilities of a nursery with Arnold Richards. But, most importantly Eleanor Galenson spearheaded the drive for the creation of the Center. Without her, the Center would not have happened. She nurtured the project along and worked with all of us-teaching us and coordinated our initial meetings. At that time, in 1990, we were extremely fortunate to have our first benefactor, Ms. Nancy Abraham. Her generosity enabled the Center to begin operation, before we had any registrants.

Fortunately, we were able to develop, and during the following years between 200-250 mother-child dyads, with children from birth through 3 years, have participated in Parent-Child groups in which mothers discuss child rearing and other issues with a psychoanalyst while their children play nearby under the supervision of child development specialists. The degree of interaction between the mothers and children varies in relation to many factors.

During post-group and weekly staff discussions the observations of the children's play and development is integrated with an understanding of the mothers' needs and issues. (I use the term, "mothers," because over the years we have had very few fathers as regular participants.) These understandings are communicated, as appropriate, to the parents during the parent-child groups or individually, when necessary. In addition, the staff discussions have been excellent vehicles for the study of psychoanalytic and developmental propositions for staff and students.

These staff discussions fueled efforts for more rigorous research designs. As a result of fund-raising efforts via The Friends of the Parent Child Center, a pilot observational/research group was created in 1998-1999. In this group, detailed weekly observations of the children's development have provided a rich environment for students and staff. Funding for the development of more rigorous research was awarded by The International Psychoanalytical Association, The Erma Brenner Fund, including the Erma Brenner Fellow, and The Glass Fellowship of The American Psychoanalytic Foundation for research training of a psychoanalytic candidate.

In addition, the Center has received financial assistance from the New York Psychoanalytic Foundation for the potential development of a Trauma/Support Center after 9/11 where the principles of Erma Brenner's Small House can be utilized. In addition the Center has developed an outreach program, including evening discussions with noted authors, an evening Fathers Group, Parents-only groups for graduates of our Parent Child program, a web page (www.theparentchildcenter.org), and a periodic bulletin ("Briefings").

In 2001 the Center was renamed as a result of a major gift from an anonymous donor in honor of Bernard L. Pacella, MD with the proviso that the Center extend its services to families with children up to 12, including those from disadvantaged circumstances. Several new programs have been instituted beginning with the 2002-2003 year: Developmental Dialogues, Psychoeducational Testing, Parent Groups for school-aged children, an intensive outreach program, and the creation of Research Psychology Fellowships and Psychology Testing Fellowships.

Leon Hoffman, MD