ACADEMIC

Academic Psych Cinema

"There is a persistent sense that cinema imitates the movement of the mind, that there is a correspondence (however elusive) to be discovered between psyche and cinema. "
–Vicky Lebeau, author of Psychoanalysis and Cinema: The Play of Shadows

"As cooperative endeavors, both psychiatry and the cinema strive to cut through the seemingly random content of everyday life and reveal the secrets of the human character. Movies have become the great storehouse for the images that populate the unconscious, the chosen territory of psychoanalytic psychiatry. Both movies and psychiatry have had as their prime focus human thought, emotions, behavior, and, above all, human motivation."
– Glen Gabbard, author of Psychiatry and the Cinema

For over two decades psychiatry residents and attendings at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center and now the Harvard Longwood program have taken time out of clinical endeavor to enjoy and wrestle with the psychologically-charged aspects of film. The proud tradition continues this year with 15 explorations, including the forensic darkness of Frailty and Capturing the Friedmans, some recent indy favorites, a February Resident
Film Festival "Psychiatry & Superheroes," the cycling of age gem, Breaking Away, and ending with a trio of "instant" cult-classics: Rushmore, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Donnie Darko. The discussants this year are, in short, stellar; they reflect the proud diversity of interest and treatment philosophy within the residency.

If you are a Harvard medical student, visiting medical student/applicant, or affiliated with Harvard Longwood Psychiatry, we invite you to join us for food, film and discussion on the dates listed below.
PSYCHcinema starts at 6:00 pm and takes place at 1 Brigham Circle's Ledge Building, 4th Floor Room 4-002B. If you plan on attending PSYCHcinema or have any questions, please email Bbrent@bidmc.harvard.edu or FChao@bidmc.harvard.edu.

In addition to the longitudinal courses described above, residents participate in courses geared to the specific and to the clinical experiences encountered in a given year. For PGY I's these topics include child psychiatry, interviewing, and an overall introduction to psychiatry. PGY II's take courses in neuropsychiatry, psychopharmacology, emergency psychiatry, critical thinking in psychiatry, and an introduction to medical psychiatry. PGY III's have an extensive course in medical psychiatry covering consultation-liaison psychiatry, geriatrics, addictions, forensic psychiatry, and primary-care psychiatry. PGY IV residents take courses in short-term psychotherapy; mental health, religion, and culture; and neuropsychiatry. PGY IV residents may also elect to participate in a training group experience.