Dean Jacques Barber, Ph.D., Wins Prestigious Research Award

Jacques Barber, Ph.D., professor and dean of the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, has won renown and recognition for his research on the efficacy of psychotherapy for various client populations, including those in treatment for depression, panic disorders, personality disorders, cocaine dependence and interpersonal problems. Now he has another accolade to add: this year’s Division 39 (Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology) Research Award. The award will be formally presented to Dr. Barber at the Division Spring Meeting in April in Philadelphia.

“Jacques Barber exemplifies what it means to be a psychoanalytic researcher, and he is a role model for all of us who work in this area,” said Robert Bornstein, Ph.D., professor of psychology. “He is universally recognized as a leader in the discipline, by psychoanalytic and nonanalytic scholars alike. But Jacques will be the first to tell you that mentorship is central to his professional identity. Much of his research involves student collaboration, and that is what makes this award truly special.”

Dr. Barber is no stranger to honors in the field of psychodynamic therapy research; he is past president of the Society for Psychotherapy Research and was a recipient of its early career award in 1996 and its Distinguished Research Career Award in 2014. In 2018, he received the Distinguished Psychologist Award from the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (Division 29).

“It is nice to get recognition for the work done by my colleagues, students, trainees and myself, especially from an organization that has not traditionally recognized research in general and the kind of research that I do in particular,” said Dr. Barber. “Being awarded the Research Award from Division 39 symbolizes the greater importance for empirical research on the efficacy and mechanisms of psychodynamic therapy for that organization.”

In addition to founding and serving as the first dean of the School that bears his name, Gordon F. Derner, Ph.D., was also one of the founders of Division 39, a group that has grown in stature and importance in the field of psychodynamic psychology, making Dr. Barber’s award an even more special tribute for Adelphi.