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The Sigourney Award-2026: Honoring Groundbreaking Contributions to Psychoanalysis

The Sigourney Award-2026 has been awarded to four exemplary figures in the field of psychoanalysis, each distinguished by their transformative contributions to both theory and practice. This prestigious accolade, announced on November 10, 2026, by Robin A. Deutsch, PhD, serves to highlight significant advancements in psychoanalytic thought across various contexts worldwide.

The recipients include:

• - Salem Eid Al-Arjani, PhD (Gaza, Palestine)
• - Paula Christian-Kliger, PhD, ABPP (New York, USA)
• - Juan-Eduardo Tesone, MD, PhD (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
• - University College London Psychoanalysis Unit (London, UK)

As a testament to their innovative and impactful work, each recipient engages with critical psychoanalytic issues, reaching communities in unique and meaningful ways. This year's award sheds light on important themes, illustrating how psychoanalysis can respond to societal challenges while building bridges of understanding and healing.

Pioneering Approaches in Psychoanalysis

Salem Eid Al-Arjani, PhD - Gaza, Palestine

Dr. Al-Arjani's pioneering efforts focus on the traumatic experiences faced by children in Gaza. Operating in a war environment, he has been treating young patients who have lost everything, often facing the same dangers as those they strive to help. His work introduces a redefined concept of resilience—one that emphasizes the capacity to find meaning amidst danger, rather than merely recovering from trauma. By guiding children from a state of despair to one of renewed expression and play, Al-Arjani’s framework presents a model of hope for others working in similarly dire situations.

Paula Christian-Kliger, PhD, ABPP - New York, USA

In an expansive body of work, Dr. Christian-Kliger has demonstrated psychoanalysis's relevance beyond traditional clinical settings. Her interdisciplinary approach, which incorporates elements of humanistic and Buddhist practices, seeks to facilitate understanding among diverse communities. By fostering self-awareness in Fortune 500 companies and providing therapeutic support to neurodiverse youth, she encourages dialogues that bridge gaps across race, culture, and class. Her art-informed experiences inspire a shared journey towards empathy and healing.

Juan-Eduardo Tesone, MD, PhD - Buenos Aires, Argentina

Argentina's Juan-Eduardo Tesone is a trailblazer in addressing the often-silenced topic of incest and sexual trauma. Through his work, he provides parents and children with the tools necessary to discuss such challenging subjects and even participated in creating a preventive education program in primary schools. His narrative centering on trauma, memory, and the effects of familial legacy continues to foster understanding and offer solace to individuals grappling with these compelling issues.

University College London Psychoanalysis Unit - London, UK

Under the leadership of Dr. Elizabeth Allison, the UCL Psychoanalysis Unit has introduced a rigorous approach to psychoanalytic research. Their innovative work tested the effectiveness of Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT), which has demonstrated promising results among populations with antisocial traits. This kind of research not only enhances psychotherapy practices but also engages critical societal issues, such as the erosion of trust in current times, offering practical solutions to complex problems.

Significance of the Sigourney Award

Founded in 1989, The Sigourney Award recognizes outstanding contributions to psychoanalytic thought and its applications in various fields from clinical practices to socio-political discourse. The award aims to nurture the advancement of psychoanalysis as a means to foster understanding and human connection through its principles. This year, the anonymous panel of judges carefully examined entries from 23 different countries, highlighting the global impact of the awarded works.

The contributions of these awardees not only enrich the field of psychoanalysis but also provide frameworks for addressing contemporary challenges that haunt our societies. Moving forward, the Sigourney Award-2027 will open applications on March 1, 2027, inviting innovative submissions that continue in this esteemed tradition of transformative work.

To learn more about the impactful work of this year's recipients, visit sigourneyaward.org.