About Judith Levene, Psychotherapist and Psychoanalyst:

Background and Training

I've been in practice in Toronto for more than 35 years. Although I grew up in the U.S. and lived and worked in England, I have been a Canadian for the past 40 years and it is clearly home.

I completed my undergraduate degree (BA) at The University of Wisconsin in Madison and began my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Boston University, completing my MSW at the University of Toronto. My Ph.D. is in Medical Science at U. of T, specializing in psychiatric research.

I worked at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry (now CAMH) for 18 years, beginning as Staff Social Worker and ultimately as Chief Social of Adult Inpatient Services. I was also Co-Director for the teaching of Marital and Family Therapy at CAMH. Throughout that time, I maintained a private practice.

In 1989, I became a professor of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University, teaching in the clinical stream for 18 years until my retirement in 2007. Concurrently, I have been a Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto.

My Approach to Psychotherapy

When I lived in London, England, I first became interested in psychoanalysis and regularly visited the Hampstead Clinic, the clinic begun by Sigmund Freud and, later, by Anna Freud.

More recently, I have been influenced by contemporary psychoanalytic theories. I have found that many of these theories seemed to make meaning of human experience in important and clinically useful ways. I practice and teach from a contemporary relational psychoanalytic perspective. This approach incorporates principles of Relational Psychoanalysis and Self Psychology, both of which place the experience of relationship at the centre of human life. In addition, I have contributed a number of scholarly publications and presentations on a range of topics.

Credentials

• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Ph.D. in Medical Science (psychiatry) U. of T.
• Psychoanalytic training at the Toronto Institute of Psychoanalysis (TIP)

Teaching Experience

• Associate Professor Emeritus, Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Social Work
• Lecturer, University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry
• Teaching and supervision for:
  • Toronto Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis (TICP)
  • The Toronto Institute of Psychoanalysis (TIP)
  • The Advanced Training Program for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (ATPPP)
  • The Institute for the Advancement of Self Psychology (IASP)
  • The Fundamentals of Psychoanalysis (FPP) program (TICP)

Professional Affiliations and Memberships

• The Toronto Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis
• The Toronto Psychoanalytic Society & Institute
• The Canadian Psychoanalytic Society
• The International Psychoanalytical Association
• The Institute for the Advancement of Self Psychology
• The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
• The Ontario Association of Social Workers
• The Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers

Publications and Presentations

View a selection of my scholarly publications on psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, trauma, couple's therapy, family therapy and more.

View a list of my workshops and presentations on relationship difficulties, self-esteem, trauma, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, couples' therapy and more.