Join us on Wednesday, June 5th at 1pm ET for a provocative and timely webinar - Psychophobia: Metamodernism, Psychosis, Agency, and Radical Freedom with Michael R. Montgomery, PhD, LCSW, Clinical Professor and Chair Elect of Society for Existential Analysis.
Through the lens of existential psychoanalysis, Dr. Montgomery will explore society’s often unspoken fear of extreme mental states: psychophobia. Challenging the over-medicalization of distress, he invites us to reimagine psychosis not as pathology to be subdued, but as a potentially transformative encounter with self and society.
- Price: $0-$40. Read full description on the event registration site by clicking "read more" for scholarship information. ISPS-US members receive 10% off. View code on the member portal.
- CEs: 1.5 CE credits for APA, ASWB, and NY Boards are available for this offering
- Can't attend live? Don't worry! The webinar will be recorded and sent to all registrants. However, please note that live attendance is required for CE credits.
Webinar Description:
This presentation examines society’s deep-seated fear of extreme mental states through the lens of existential psychoanalysis. It challenges the medicalization of distress, exposing the iatrogenic harm and systematic assault on interiority that too often define psychiatric intervention. Rather than pathologizing human experience, it argues for a psychophobia-free, phenomenological approach—one that honors lived experience, fosters radical agency, and recognizes the transformative potential of authentic human connection. In an era of metamodern uncertainty, might embracing the so-called pathological be the key to true freedom?
Presenter Bio
Michael R. Montgomery, PhD, LCSW, is an existential psychoanalyst with international expertise in complex trauma, extreme states (psychosis and mania), addiction, and conflict resolution. He trained at Regent’s University London, The Tavistock and Portman, and the Anna Freud Centre. Dr. Montgomery is the founder of Peacefire.us, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering dialogue and understanding between individuals from diverse and often opposing backgrounds, and Manifest23 a not-for-profit supporting individuals and organizations promote less pathological approaches to mental wellbeing. His clinical work is primarily community-based, focusing on patients who are typically excluded from accessing quality care. He is clinical professor at the New School of Existential Psychoanalysis, and the Chair Elect of Society for Existential Analysis (SEA). He is a regular contributor to the SEA annual conference, the R.D. Laing Symposium, and the ISPS-US. With over 26 published peer-reviewed articles, reviews, commentaries, and book chapters, he is currently developing a new book and podcast on psychophobia.
Please share details of this webinar with your networks and colleagues. We look forward to seeing you there!
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