We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Sidonie Freeman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Sidonie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style. Do you have an interesting story from that stage of your career that you can share with us?
When I applied to my very first internship I was assigned to the branch that dealt with perpetrators of domestic violence. Initially, I was appalled. As a young woman, how could I be expected to work with men who had abused women and feel safe and empathic at the same time? Although I was hesitant and ambivalent, I decided to keep an open mind.
It was this experience that taught me that many lines in life are not so black and white. The line between victim and perpetrator, for example, can sometimes be blurred, and understanding this complexity is crucial to understanding the human psyche. In some cases, individuals who have been victims of abuse may, unfortunately, perpetuate that cycle by becoming abusers themselves. This is known as the cycle of abuse, where past victims may struggle with the trauma and emotional scars, leading them to harm others. In psychology, the concept of “identification with the aggressor” refers to when a victim begins to adopt the characteristics or behaviors of their abuser. This can happen as a survival mechanism, where the victim tries to align with the powerful figure to reduce harm or cope with the trauma.
Being open-minded and empathetic is vital in understanding this complex dynamic. It helps us recognize that individuals who have committed harm may also have been victims themselves. This understanding doesn’t excuse their actions but can help us address the root causes and break the cycle of abuse.
Working with this population opened up my views and understanding about the fine lines and complexities of the human mind and was a transformational part of my professional growth and the catalyst for my journey into the depths of psychoanalysis.
Dr. Sidonie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalyst in private practice in Beverly Hills. I am Adjunct Professor at The Chicago School for Professional Psychology, Los Angeles, and maintain a Supervisory position at the Wright Institute, Los Angeles.
I’m President of The Foundation of LACPA, the non-profit and benevolent arm of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, as well as Chair of the Admissions Committee at the New Center for Psychoanalysis (NCP) where I also teach as a way to give back to the analytic community where I personally trained. I have lectured and presented on topics such as Envy, Working within the negative transference, Dream interpretation, Creating boundaries/not barriers, Managing conflict, and Parenting.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
It is clear to me that what has been the most effective way for me to be recognized in my field is not from advertising or networking or social media but from being involved and engaged in supporting my community for over a decade. Teaching and supervising psychology students and interns allows them to get to know me and my work firsthand. Volunteering and training within my community lets my clinical skill speak for itself.
Being involved at the New Center for Psychoanalysis as Chair of Admissions gives me so much pleasure as well as visibility and allows me to demonstrate my passion for giving back and helping others.
I must also add that working with my patients in my private practice with integrity and sincerity has created its own referral source as reputation is based on word of mouth.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
I think that, without a doubt, the most valuable training one will ever receive as a psychoanalyst or psychologist is to engage in their own personal psychoanalysis. First of all, how can one preach what they do not practice? It is essential to undergo one’s own personal treatment in order to be able to experience this process from the other side of the couch, so to speak. It is also important because it allows for continuous access to the clinician’s own unconscious and keeps potential counter-transference enactments in check so as to be able to provide the best care for the patients they treat. Lastly, it is beneficial because of the long-lasting change it provides! Psychoanalysis aims for lasting changes in personality and behavior, as it addresses deep-seated issues rather than surface-level symptoms. This can lead to more enduring improvements in mental health and well-being that are transformational to anyone who is looking to continuously grow and improve themselves. Sadly, stigmas have often made mental health care appear to be a weakness when it is truly a sign of strength and the epitome of self care for an active professional in the field.
Contact Info:
- Website: Drsidoniefreeman@gmail.com
- Instagram: Dr.sidoniefreeman@gmail.com