I am very pleased to announce that I have published a new book titled SHRINKTALK. I write about my experiences over the years as a psychiatrist. I cover a wide variety of subjects such as ethical dilemmas that psychiatrists can face, dealing with anxiety, panic, depression, suicidal thoughts, sexuality, post traumatic stress, psychological issues in regards to the Coronavirus, my interaction with two U. S. Presidents and many other subjects. I also include answers to questions that I have provided for Healthtap.com a popular website. For more information or to order the book please go to  ..read more

MY TEACHER, COLLEAGUE and DEAR FRIEND I first met Dr. Levy during my Fellowhip in Psychosomatic Medicine at State Universtiy of New York , Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York where he was a senior attending on the Service of the reknowned medical researcher Dr. Franz Reichsman. During this time Dr. Levy collaborated with Dr. Eli Friedman, a leading nephrologist. Dr. Levy became the first researcher to identify and write about the connection and interaction of mind and body in patients with kidney disease many of whom were receiving dialysis. He ultimately wrote two books on this su ..read more

The pandemic has progressed to the point where we are trying to figure out why people are refusing or are reluctant to get vaccinated. Months ago, we were struggling with the question as to why people were refusing to wear masks when it was clear that doing so could save thousands of lives. There were also thousands of people who would attend “super spreading events” where numerous people would become infected and many would die.  I conceptualized this behavior as people using the unconscious defense mechanism of “denial” and I suggested that we label it “Fatal Denial.” I also suggested a ..read more

Michael Blumenfield, M.D. I think it is interesting that most of us experienced our own  classical analysis and may have performed to varying degrees classical analysis where the patient lies on the couch and there is no eye contact with the therapist ! For many this was or may still be the gold standard. Even when there is face to face therapy,  to many the proper approach is for the therapist not to reveal emotions through facial expression. To do so  could facilitate the development of a false transference etc etc. So now when we are forced to do remote therapy, I v ..read more

By Michael Blumenfield, M.D. (Dr. Blumenfield is the Sidney E. Frank Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at New York Medical College and currently in private practice in Los Angeles. He is the author of a new book “ShrinkTalk” scheduled to be released in December) It has been about 4 months since I first wrote about “Fatal Denial” and how this unconscious psychological defense mechanism is leading to thousands of preventable deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic. Denial is a well known unconscious psychological defense that we use in many situations on a regular basis ..read more

      The deadly Coronavirus epidemic continues to spread in my state of California and throughout     the country. Medical experts have clearly identified the reason that the epidemic is getting out of control is that a significant number of people are not listening to the medical experts and are not using facial masks, keeping social distancing nor are they following other precautions concerning opening businesses, restaurants, beaches, sporting and political events etc. Of course, these people do not want to get sick or spread this illness to the ..read more

“Fatal Denial” and How to Deal With It During the COVID-19 Epidemic As psychiatrists we deal with the defense mechanism of denial all the time. We know this to be  a  very basic defense mechanism which protects the individual from anxiety as well as from other painful emotions including depression. In the course of doing psychotherapy we chip away at this defense mechanism as we help the patient strengthen other methods of coping and dealing with the issues in their life. We all use a certain amount of this mechanism as we usually don’t think about our mortality most of the time Curr ..read more

The Coronavirus Epidemic:  Transference and Countertransference Considerations With Remote Therapy Michael Blumenfield, M.D. The Coronavirus epidemic has forced psychotherapists to see patients remotely as we are forced to follow social distancing and in many cases remain quarantined.  I and others have made the case that remote sessions via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Doxy, and other systems are not only a safer method to follow during this time of the dangerous epidemic, but under certain circumstances may be more effective than the patient and the therapist sitting across from each oth ..read more

Michael Blumenfield, M.D. -The Sidney E. Frank Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences- New York Medical College & in Private Practice in Los Angeles As the coronavirus epidemic evolves, there is a variable amount of relaxing of requirements for quarantine, wearing masks and gowns, and keeping social distancing.  Particularly for the medical profession, there is more pressure on physicians to allow closer contact for physical examinations, blood drawing, and of course minor and major surgical procedures.  Despite everyone’s best efforts, we all realize that relax ..read more

The Sidney E. Frank Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at New York Medical College and currently in private practice in Los Angeles This presentation originally appeared as a Podcast at PsychiatryTalk.Podbean.com. Dr. Blumenfield can be contacted at MBlumenfield@aol.com  The Coronavirus: Psychological Considerations with Special Emphasis on Psychological Support for Doctors, Nurses, EMTs, Other First Responders, Including Members of the Media and the Psychological Support Teams Themselves Hello, I’m Dr. Michael Blumenfield. Today’s podcast is go ..read more