Psychoanalysis & You

What does it mean to lose touch with your own feelings, even while functioning well in everyday life?

In this episode of Psychoanalysis & You, Dr. Gail Saltz speaks with psychoanalyst Dr. Gila Ashtor about what she calls “feeling disorders”—experiences like gaslighting, empty consent, and toxic relationships that reflect a deeper difficulty in accessing and trusting one’s own emotional life.

Ashtor explains how many patients today appear high-functioning yet feel disconnected, uncertain, or on “autopilot,” and how this can fall outside traditional diagnostic categories. The discussion explores how modern culture, social media, and therapy trends may reinforce emotional disconnection, and why psychoanalysis aims instead to restore curiosity, emotional range, and a stronger sense of internal experience.

The episode also examines gaslighting and “empty consent,” and how subtle relational dynamics can lead people to override their own perceptions without recognizing it at the time.

Overall, the conversation focuses on how psychoanalytic work helps people reconnect with their feelings and build a more vivid, internally grounded sense of self.

What’s the difference between healthy confidence and pathological narcissism? Dr. Gail Saltz is joined by psychoanalyst Diana Diamond to break down how narcissism functions on a spectrum. From everyday self-esteem to more severe forms that disrupt relationships and identity.

They explore why pathological narcissism alternates between grandiosity and vulnerability, how it shows up in personal and professional life, and why it has historically been difficult to treat. Diamond also discusses a psychoanalytic treatment approach that shows promise, along with the broader cultural forces—from social media to leadership dynamics—that may be amplifying narcissistic traits today.

At its core, the conversation returns to this: lasting well-being is grounded less in status or admiration, and more in the capacity for genuine relationships.

Diana Diamond is a psychoanalytic clinician, professor, and researcher. Dr. Diamond specializes in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and supervision. In her private practice, she treats patients who are experiencing conflicts around normative life cycle transitions (e.g., puberty, marriage, parenthood) and who have difficulties with intimacy, identity formation, and goal definition. She also works with patients with severe problems in interpersonal functioning and self- and affect-regulation. She also treats couples and families. Her general therapeutic orientation is informed by contemporary psychoanalytic object relations theory, which integrates the contributions of attachment theory and cognitive neuroscience.

Janet Rotter explains social media use in children and adolescents and how to manage screen time. In this episode, we explore how to connect and engage with children and adolescents in non-digital ways.

In this episode of Psychoanalysis and You, host Dr. Gail Saltz talks with Dr. Amy Levy, clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, and co-chair of APsA’s Commission on Artificial Intelligence, about how AI is reshaping mental health, relationships, and self-understanding.

Dr. Levy approaches AI as a “new other” in our psychological lives, exploring why it is so compelling and what unconscious needs it may be responding to. Drawing on psychoanalytic theory, she examines the appeal of AI relationships, the risks of emotional dependency and belief amplification, and the limits of AI in providing meaningful mental health care.

The conversation also addresses whether AI could replace therapists, how psychoanalysts can engage in public discussions about emerging technology, and what parents should consider as children grow up immersed in AI-driven environments. Together, Drs. Saltz and Levy emphasize curiosity, reflection, and the enduring importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world.

In this episode, we delve into the foundational principles, therapeutic techniques, and transformative impact of psychoanalysis on children and families. Whether you are a parent, mental health professional, student, or someone interested in understanding the human mind, this episode offers valuable insights and practical knowledge. Our guest, Dr. Alexander D. Kalogerakis provided a comprehensive overview of psychoanalysis, focusing on its application in child psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Dr. Kalogerakis discussed the history, core concepts, and real-world benefits of psychoanalytic therapy for children with APsA Podcast Host, Dr. Gail Saltz. Learn about the therapeutic process, the importance of early intervention, and how psychoanalysis can foster emotional growth and resilience in young people and children in Episode 18 of ‘Psychoanalysis & You.’