Message from Doris Brothers,
Chief Editor of eForum

I began writing this message on the plane that was taking me back to New York from the 34th annual self psychology conference in LA. As I settled into my seat I tried to sort through what I was feeling. First I noticed some of my customary after-a-busy-conference experiences: the hollowed out edginess I get from too little sleep and the rather pleasant light-headedness of tumbling thoughts that usually comes when I'm stirred by new ideas. But then I found something new. How to describe it? If you can recall feeling completely sated after an exceptionally well-prepared feast you'll probably get a sense of what it was like. And little wonder that I felt so delightfully filled up! A great many of the conference offerings this year were both intellectually stimulating and emotionally powerful. The conversations they generated were filled with intensely personal observations.

One effect of this rich banquet is that I returned with a renewed sense of excitement about editing eForum and inspired to help it more closely reflect the issues that concern you in your work and in your life. I would also like eForum to function as an effective channel for communicating with other IAPSP members. There already are a number of opportunities for connecting: You might add your reading list to "What Are You Reading Now?," the column by Carol Mayhew () or post your artistic work on "Our Creative IAPSP Community," the column by Anne Paris ()? Or perhaps you'd like to let your colleagues know what's happening in your life, your work, and your institute or training program. Submit any news items to me () for posting on "Members' Updates," "Recent Publications," and "Institute News." I'd very much welcome any short articles or op-ed pieces you'd care to submit for review as well as any suggestions you might have for improving eForum.

Please visit eForum often and check out new editions of established columns and features and look for some new ones as well. We've just instituted a new feature, "Conference Reflections," that allows those who attended the 2011 conference to post their thoughts and feelings about it. (Please consider sending in your own reactions or suggestions for future conferences.) We'll soon offer a new column on work with children and adolescents. And, as we did last year, we are asking speakers in the plenary sessions of the annual conference to summarize their presentations. We hope to post these very soon.

I wish you a satisfying, productive Fall and joy and peace in 2012!

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