EARLY WOMEN PSYCHOANALYSTS
Welcome to a site dedicated to the remarkable women pioneers of psychoanalysis — born before World War I, most of them Jewish — whose contributions have been inadequately remembered, overlooked, or erased.
Despite their substantial impact on psychoanalytic thought, theory, and clinical practice, their work has too often been devalued, marginalized, or written out of the canon. Intersecting forms of gendered and racial power, institutional practice, and historical narrative determined whose stories counted — and whose did not.
This site brings together courses, publications, and events that honor and critically engage with their legacy. Join us in uncovering the stories of these women who shaped psychoanalysis and continue to inspire new generations. Together, let's restore their voices and contributions to the historical record — and carry them forward.
The Early Women Psychoanalysts project is created and maintained independently by Klara Naszkowska, with no outside funding. Your support is greatly appreciated.
For publications and events related to Sabina Spielrein, a list of her works, and opportunities to connect with Spielrein scholars, please visit the website of the International Association for Spielrein Studies
International Interdisciplinary Conference
Composing with Spielrein: Contemporary Applications of Sabina Spielrein's Work
September 5-6, 2026
Online
Cost: £10