MCPP Board of Directors Meeting  September 2025 Minutes

Virtual Meeting, September 21, 2025, 9am-10:30am

Present: David Freiband, Marissa Keep, Shil Sengupta, Tamra Frei, Alex Houseknecht, Carol Stratman, Marissa Keep, Linda Young

President: D. Freiband

Finalize in person vote made online regarding MPI Visiting Professor

Freiband moved that MCPP not participate in co-hosting the Visiting Professor Series sponsored by the Michigan Psychoanalytic Society in the spring of 2026.

Voting occurred online between the May and September 2025 meetings.

9 voted in favor of not co-hosting the visiting professor in 2026, while 2 opposed not doing so.

Approval of May 2025 Minutes

Voted to approve Sengupta’s May 2025 Minutes, factoring in the feedback that he had received on corrections from Freiband as well as other members of the Board. Frei seconded. Board passed unanimously.

Treasurer: T. Frei

• Total net worth increased approximately $7,000 since prior May report.
• UMCU checking account decreased by approximately $3000.
• This has been offset by Schwab market account increase of approximately 10,000.
• Main expenses: Zoom, Liability Insurance, Guest speaker, as well as some expenses with the website
•  Main Deposit: Reimbursement from the Michigan League (for rooms we ended up not using)
• Young moved that the Board send Lorrain flowers in honor of a significant life event. Frei seconded.

Introduction to Joe Hull, Prospective Member at Large

• Provided his background and curiosity related to this position including particular interest in learning more about psychoanalysis
• In Grand Rapids network with Lorrain and Houseknecht
• Verbalized the influence of Dr. Roy Barsness, Contemporary Psychoanalytic Institute (originating out of Seattle, WA)
• Conversation ensued regarding Hull’s joining the Board
• Freiband moved that Joe Hull be elected for Member-at-Large for MCPP effective today until such time as the general organization has the opportunity to vote on his position.  Stratman  seconded. Hull was unanimously approved.
• This will then set up next step for larger organization to elect him (which will give him larger term length),

Introduction to Shil Sengupta, Prospective President-Elect

•  Sengupta emphasized his taking on the role in light of the other major leadership roles being so well attended to.
• Conversation ensued Sengupta’s joining the Board
•  Freiband moved that Sengupta be approved for President-Elect for MCPP. Keep seconded.  Sengupta was unanimously approved

Mary Beth Atwell will have formal vote in September, when new members will be put on the ballot with all the others.

Need for new secretary as of September, 2026 if Sengupta officially transitions to the role of President at that time.

Update on Co-VP for Programs Status/Leave’

 Mirriam Lorrain

• Lorrain currently on maternity leave, which will prevent her from moderating meetings and attending Board Meetings September,  October, and November of 2025.

Co-VP: Alex Houseknecht

• Have good list of prospective speakers, a number previously having been recommended by the Board. Has been developing his own group of prospective speakers as well.
• Talking with former Professor, Roy Barsness, Contemporary Psychoanalytic Institute, regarding presentation on core competencies, as well as supervision method that are  psychodynamically oriented.
• For the time being, he will be first point of contact while Lorrain on leave.
•  Lorrain will not be able to facilitate meetings in subsequent months. Houseknecht and Freiband will coordinate on facilitating upcoming meetings   in her absence.

Social Liaison:  Marissa update about coordinating Spring banquet.

• Provided details regarding outcome of Spring Banquet
• We had 25 people attend the banquet
• We didn’t have any early career professional take up the offer of the free dinner
• Paesano and their staff were good to work with
• Keep plans to plan the upcoming year’s event at Paesano moving forward.
• Report on efforts to create social and/or educational in-person experiences, one in the Fall and another in Winter
•  Summarized results of “social gathering” poll. We had a lot of interest in gathering outside of our monthly meetings.
• Proposed using Gallup Park for the gathering (if available), noting its affordability and suitability for both socializing and clinical discussions.
• This event will be open to the entire community (to encourage more membership)
• Majority of people polled preferred meetings with a clinical presentation versus strictly social gatherings
• Oct 11,12 and October 25,26 are weekends that don’t have University of Michigan Football games, so may be good target dates for organization social gathering.
• Themes suggested for clinical presentations: film discussion, discussion on AI. Other ideas suggested: watching a video or reading a paper, so that we can discuss either or both.
• Freiband suggested topic of clinicians working with clients in the context of a fraught political climate.

Pending:

• Access program discussion, possibly with Sonya Freiband
• Further thoughts on the possibility of the organization becoming Division 39 Representative to the APA.  This would allow Division 39 members to become involved with MCPP.

Freiband motioned to adjourn the meeting, Stratman seconded. Board passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned.

Next MCPP Board Meeting will be held virtually on October 19, 2025