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Tributes to Hal Sampson, 2004
My Collaboration with Hal
Hal and I met in the late 50s or early 60s at Mt Zion, where Hal was director of research and I gave a case conference. We were drawn to each other and were delighted at how well we agreed on approaches to research and theories.
We began working together regularly at that time. We met three or four times a week, and discussed theory and research.
When we realized that we were developing a valuable approach to research and a new theory, we became exhilarated. We were having so much fun developing our ideas that we realized that any recognition we might gain later wouldn't be as satisfying.
Hal and I had an almost perfect collaboration (which, of course, is very unusual). We liked each other. We approached our tasks with good humor, and we never fought. Hal's broad theoretical perspective, his knowledge of psychotherapy and research methods were of great value - in fact, were invaluable. We spent hours and hours together figuring out ways of testing our hypotheses. It was hard work, but fun from the beginning. We were confident that we would get somewhere, which we did.
Hal's relationships with the members of our burgeoning group were outstanding; he was respectful, listened to them, learned from them, and taught them. He was always approachable. His commonsense, his persistence, his optimism, his wisdom, and the confidence which he inspired in everyone were essential to our development.
Thanks again, Hal, for your immense contribution. We wish you well on your next venture. Of course we will continue to keep in touch, and to benefit from your broad perspective, wide knowledge, and wisdom.
Thanks, Hal.
Your friend,
Joe Weiss
Back to TopOn saying good bye to a hero
I found myself having a very hard time thinking of what I might want to contribute to this book of memories honoring our beloved Hal. I realized that I didn't want to do this, as much as I admire and respect your moving on, I just don't want you to. I want to be able to run into your office and ask you what you think about this or that. One doesn't want to lose one's heroes. You always have had a wise and thoughtful response to share. Inevitably it will calm me down and help guide me toward a proper course. I have rarely seen you ruffled! But it is the way of the world and I have been blessed to have spent 25 years learning from you. As I recall our first meeting it had the tone and consistency of all our interactions. I was a very green and eager graduate student who wrote to you expressing my interest in learning more about the theory. You took the time to write me a long and careful reply outlining how I might go about immersing myself in the theory. Would you be surprised to know that I followed all of your advice and have ended up here today? I can't even begin to express my gratitude for all you have given to me and my family.
As I take on the role of president I know that I will never take your place but will endeavor to hold your ideals close to guide me. As much as I am fighting saying goodbye to your physical presence in my life I know I have internalized your essence, humor and good will into my heart and mind. Have a great retirement and know that your good work will be carried on! You will be leaving behind a strong and committee group of like-minded professionals who understand the unique contributions your ideas have. Your treatment of us by attitude will continue to grow and develop and we will pass on your great teachings.
Jessica Broitman
Back to TopMany Fond Memories of My Long Association With Hal Sampson
I was fortunate to enjoy more than 15 years of intensive case consultation with Hal Sampson from about 1980 through 1995. During the early 6 years of my working on the Brief Therapy Project at Mt. Zion Hospital, I took only cancellation appointments which meant that I often got a consult multiple times per week. What a feast of wisdom that was! I still use many of the formulations we came up with then on patients I see periodically now. I still notice hand gestures and various "attitudes" I incorporated into my own style from my work with Hal.
My favorite recollections relate to the courage Hal helped me find to participate as a therapist in Enrico Jones' Long-Term Treatment of Depression Research Project at UC Berkeley from 1989 through 1991. Because of my commitment to psychotherapy research I wanted to support the research study which was to do VIDEOTAPES of every session of patients seen twice weekly in long-term psychoanalytically-oriented therapy. Videotapes in my own neighborhood of Berkeley - where I practice! Rico was studying a variety variables, many of which related to the issue of "NEUTRALITY". Needless to say, I was apprehensive about volunteering, but proceeded to accept Rico's invitation. I knew Hal would be behind me and supporting me. That support gave me the courage to proceed.
Naturally, during the course of the treatment (where I was instructed to proceed as if I were working in my own private practice with the patient), I encountered many situations where I knew that my interventions would be viewed by the researchers as ANYTHING BUT NEUTRAL. One time I was talking to Hal about my discomfort picturing the researchers laughing at my work and making fun of it. Hal listened to all my complaints, fears, and worries. Calmly he replied, nodding in agreement, "Yeah, yeah., they will do those things. They will make fun of you. They will laugh at you. But they will do those things whether you do your work honestly as you would do in your office or whether you attempt to change it now. So, just forget about all that, know that they will probably do that, and do it the way you would do it in your office. Just think about you and the patient and forget the rest." Of course this "attitude" of his totally calmed me down and refocused me on the deeper meaning and importance of why I was participating in this research project. From then on, I did the work from my heart, supported firmly by the "super"- vision of Hal. We had such fun working on the case. It was a fabulous case. The patient made major achievements and ended up with the best outcome of all the cases in the reseach study. She even wrote her own Patient Plan Diagnosis!
So, there I was a couple of years later, listening to some colleagues tell me of an interesting presentation they'd attended at the Society for Psychotherapy Research conference. Rico was showing videotapes of several of my sessions with the patient. A session was shown where I tell the patient in an emotional way, "Wow! You did so well! I have goose-bumps!" Rico's comments to the audience were, "This intervention was NOT neutral!" Of course, the audience responded with an outburst of laughter. Yes, the context of the intervention was presented which was that I had been on a long vacation near the end of the treatment. The patient had asked me if she could have some reading while I was away so she could continue her progress. I'd given her Lewis Engle's book "Imaginary Crimes" and she'd loved it. The "goose-bumps" comment was in response to her reading aloud to me the Patient Plan Formulation the patient had written for herself! As I listened to my colleagues relay this story to me, I processed my own complex feelings and calmed myself remembering Hal's wisdom and attitude. I shared the wisdom with my colleagues and they too calmed down. We all just laughed. Then they told me that Hartvig Dahl had been in the meeting with the laughter and was the only one who had stood up for me. As the group was laughing hard at the video, Hartvig stood up and said, "I think the proof lies in the outcome. We may laugh, but look at the outcome the patient attained!"
Thank you Hal for so much wisdom, warmth, encouragement, intelligence, and empathy.
Polly Bloomberg-Fretter
Back to TopDear Hal
Congratulations Hal on your retirement and for all your contributions to the Mental Health field, to the Control Mastery Group, and to the development of thousands of therapists around the world! I feel fortunate to have benefitted as a participant in each of these groups.
There are innumerable ways I have learned from you. These include your written contributions to theory such as "healing by attitudes", your incisive ideas and commentary as presenter and discussant at frequent conferences (including many distinct ways you kept discussions on track with those of various orientations who would wield their theoretical axes with much heft and, at times, little grace), your helpful consult to a family member, and most importantly as a beginning clinician, I learned from you directly at your case conference and at the old Wednesday morning research group. There are simple, yet profound concepts such as, "What is the client working on in any particular moment and how might the clinician facilitate this work," that I began to understand from your mentoring. It's funny how this idea, which you illustrated so deftly, can be woven into an orienting principle that can last a career.
For me you helped draw out my potential by reflecting back to me aspects of my personality and abilities that I had not fully realized. To have a person of your stature see these aspects was extremely helpful for my development. It vitally aided the growth of my self confidence as a clinician. That I also grew on a personal level from what was relatively casual contact, can only give me deep appreciation for those lucky enough to have been under your care. I have been touched by your basic kindness. Together with your sense of humor, many lasting memories have been created.
You could wade through any degree of material and distill nuggets. Two examples come to mind. In one case conference you latched onto a patient's words as a metaphor for her treatment, that she was planning to open up like a flower. And in another case (the set up for which I now forget), the punchline was exquisite, "Perfectionism and generosity of spirit are not highly correlated." In closing, thanks for teaching and showing me about generosity of spirit. May you enjoy the coming years with Fran and your family and may our paths continue to cross!
Your friend,
John Bogardus
Back to TopFor Hal and Fran
58
a total stranger one black day
knocked living the hell out of me
who found forgiveness hard because
my(as it happened)self he was
- but now that fiend and i are such
immortal friends the other's each
-e e cummings
Seeing Meng Haoran Off
From Yellow Crane Tower you sail
the river west as mist flowers bloom.
A solitary sail, far shadow, green mountains
at the empty end of vision
And now, just the Yangtze river touching the sky.
- Li Po*
*Li Po (701-762 CE), is widely regarded as China's greatest poet, an honor he shares with Tu Fu. Li's romantic life and spontaneous poetry earned him the title of "the spirit of poetry," while Tu Fu's more down-to-earth style gained him recognition as the greatest "human poet."
72
i shall imagine life
is not worth dying,if
their beauties are in vain
but though mankind persuades
itself that every weed's
a rose,roses(you feel
certain)will only smile
-e e cummings
Dear Hal and Fran,
A favorite dream with humor and wisdom: Talking with a wonderful therapist and mentor, I asked him "Is brief therapy effective?" and he replied: "Yes…….. dangerously so." My long and varied meetings with you both have deeply enriched my life - your impact on me rippling outward to touch my family, clients, friends, and - I am sure - even strangers. I carry countless treasured memories of our times together. Thank you for your kind and patient understanding, your generosity of spirit, wisdom, humor (and Zeno!). You are poets of the soul.
With love and gratitude,
David Bullard
Back to TopHarold Sampson in Italy
Marco Casonato, Samanta Sagliaschi
Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Italia
Both Hal Sampson and Joe Weiss traveled in Italy to present CMT. At first only cognitive therapists were interested in it, but later also a group of psychoanalysts became involved in CMT. SIPRe's chairman dr. Minolli invited Hal Sampson to deliver a Seminar in Rome in 1995 and then the interest in CMT started also in the psychoanalytic field.
In fact Weiss' and Sampson Control Mastery Theory offers a view on how psychotherapy works. The view that psychotherapy patients unconsciously organize their therapy process in the service of their treatment goals has been advanced and supported by the San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group. Incorrect constructs, inferred from traumatic experiences, are the cause of psychopathology, and are referred as pathogenic beliefs (largely unconscious). Control Mastery Theory emphasizes the role of unconscious guilt in the creation and maintenance of psychopathology. People enter therapy with a Plan. The Plan formulation can be used to guide the therapist's interventions. The Plan consists of the patient's goal, the obstacles to these goals, the general testing strategy they will use in the service of reaching their goals, and the insights they wish to achieve. Control Mastery Theory proposes that people enter therapy in order to test the necessity for their pathogenic beliefs in the relation with the therapist, and that therapy progresses to the extent that the therapist passes the patient's tests.
The use of this model results in an efficient and focused treatment approach. It is a useful < Clinical Theory > that offers an effective interface with contemporary Cognitive Science as a general theoretical framework of any kind of contemporary psychotherapy. But CMT is also a powerful tool for the development of an integration between techniques based on the study of the Therapeutic Factors.
The other main aspects of CMT are < Evidence based >: Hal contribution to research as methodologist and as researcher has been relevant over the decades. Sampson sustained and contributed to dozens of researches on various aspects of psychotherapeutic process.
Last but not least Hal had many patients that got an effective treatment: many are prominent personalities, many are collegues that learned from Hal also how to work clinically and how to merge research into clinics.
In Italy Hal delivered some seminars, group supervisions and lectures and gave impulse to the study of CMT in Italy.
References in Italian
WEISS, J., SAMPSON, H., (1999) Convinzioni patogene, Quattroventi, Urbino
WEISS, J. (1993) Come funziona la psicoterapia, Bollati-Boringhieri, Torino
Back to TopDear Hal,
Thank you so much for your warm and gracious spirit, and for the powerful work you have done to ground Control Mastery Theory in solid research.
My first experience of your kindness was attending the Friday Research Group in the late 1980's. Yours and Joe's leadership of that group made it such a welcoming place for a very nervous newly licensed therapist. And soon after, when I began attending your Wednesday case conference and had the chance not only to hear your case formulations, but also to observe how supportively you handled questions, I began to realize the true depth of the theory. It was true in practice, not just in theory. That made it so much more compelling, and it's a key reason Control Mastery has been my "theoretical home" since I was first introduced to it.
It's difficult to say goodbye to someone who has meant so much to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me so much that was personally meaningful.
Best wishes for a joyful retirement.
With highest regard,
Melanie Clark
Back to TopDear Hal,
One of my favorite memories of Hal dates back to when I was a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at Mount Zion Hospital. I was presenting a case in Hal's highly popular case conference. Hal started one of the conferences by offering to review what I had presented in the previous meetings. I was happy to have Hal do this review, not only for the opportunity to observe what he recalled and how he formulated the case, but also because the patient in question was, for me, very difficult to treat-she was reluctant to give much history but readily (and often all-too-accurately) would point out in scathing detail my various failings as a therapist and as a human being. I had come to wish that I chosen a different case to present for the weekly case conference felt like a lesson in humiliation as I reported in front of my peers my stumbling efforts with her and her less-than-gracious responses to my interventions. So, I sat back and let Hal review the case, which he did with remarkable clarity and great compassion for my plight as the therapist. When he had finished, Hal turned to me and asked if he had left anything out or if there was anything I wanted to add. Unable to let well enough alone and in a lame attempt to introduce some levity into what was, for me, a painful case presentation, I impulsively noted that there was one important historical detail that he had left out-namely, that the patient had had a sex change operation before entering therapy (totally untrue). Hal's initial response was to purse his lips, rest his chin in his hand and assume a very pensive look. In an effort to keep a straight face, I turned away from Hal and tried to appear nonchalant as I saw the rather shocked and bewildered looks on the faces of my fellow trainees. When I mustered the courage to look back at Hal, he, without missing a beat, said, "Well John, that piece of information leads me to predict that in this case there may be a lot of passive-into-active testing."
I should add that, in fact, this patient did engage in a lot of passive-into-active testing in the therapy. Indeed, in the session following the seminar, she came in and told me that she was going to stop therapy. She then began to criticize me and my treatment of her with a vehemence and incisiveness that I had not previously encountered as a novice therapist. She informed me that she planned on reporting my incompetence to the head of the Psychiatry Department, the Chief Physician of the hospital, and the licensing board. After enduring her diatribe for what seemed like an eon, I had an epiphany: she was turning passive-into-active and lambasting me the way she had been treated by her mother. With this insight, I suddenly felt much calmer and thought to myself, "What would Hal do now?" I imagined him acting very nonplussed and inviting the patient to tell him more. Thus I told the patient that I thought that she was holding back her feelings and soft-peddling her criticisms of me. Well, to my horror, I was right. She launched into a new attack that was even more virulent and castigating than her first foray. I found myself thinking, "Damn that Sampson, this isn't the way it's supposed to work!" Nonetheless, when she paused, I encouraged her to tell me more-which she did, but this time with some humor. When she then asked me if I was now getting the point, I repeated that I thought she was still holding back. We went through several iterations of this process until, at the end of the hour, she exclaimed, laughingly, that I was so dense and inept that rather than stop therapy, she would be back the next week to try and train me.
When I reported this session in the case conference, there was much discussion of the patient's attack and of how it appeared to be a passive-into-active enactment. At one point, I turned to Hal and acknowledged that he had predicted this in the previous conference. Without skipping a beat, he said, "Yes, but John, I was referring to you turning passive-into-active, not the patient."
John Curtis
Back to TopDear Hal,
I was delighted to have been asked to write a letter to you regarding your influence on me because I feel so fortunate to have had the experience of attending your case conference for years, and having you supervise me after that.
You were a primary, formative, and wonderful influence on my development as a clinician, Hal. I have found you to be extraordinarily insightful and brilliant analytically. From those strengths came an ability to be marvelously clear in imparting the theoretical framework of Control Mastery Theory and the intellectual tools by which to utilize it moment to moment in clinical practice. But equally important to me was the deep generosity of spirit and deeply respectful tone in which you conveyed perspectives to patients. Your inherent kindness and humanity suffuses your interpretations and formulations and provided a living role model of the essential importance of wisdom and loving care in the role of healer. You have written about the power of therapeutic attitude toward patients, and embodied that beautifully in your person at the case conference and in supervision, enabling myself and others to further our own development by striving to identify with you in that regard.
Finally, Hal, in addition to my professional development, it has always been helpful and a pleasure on a purely personal level to interact with you. When I was debating whether or not to pursue subspecialty training in child psychiatry, you encouraged me to go ahead and try it for a year, and that was absolutely the right decision. I then found out that I love child and adolescent work most of all and deeply appreciate your role in helping me discover that. With me personally, you have been unfailingly kind, thoughtful, gracious, and wise, and I know others have also experienced that time and again. It is one of the reasons for the success of Control Mastery Theory in attracting adherents to the work of the group.
I hope you and Fran have a wonderful retirement. Your work life has enriched the world immeasurably, and I am deeply thankful that I have been the beneficiary of direct, personal contact with you during my ongoing development as a clinician and a person.
You are an uncommonly gifted person and it has been a great privilege to have known you as teacher, colleague, and friend.
Take care.
Love,
Bill
William A. Dickman, M.D.
Back to TopDear Hal,
When I think of you, which I do frequently, it is often in recalling the several years I attended your case conference. It was not just what you imparted to us regarding theories of psychotherapy and how they related to Control Mastery but the approach you took to understanding cases. Hypothesis generating from the first phone contact and early sessions has proven so helpful in my own clinical work, as well as my work as a supervisor at the Wright Institute. It was so striking how often our earliest speculations were later born out by the clinical data that emerged. Above all, it was your presence as a clinician and a human being that I, and I know many others, tried to absorb and embody in our own work and lives. Your warmth, humor, generosity, respect and curiosity--that je ne sais quoi that is Hal--is what I try to bring to my own "treatment by attitude" approach. I feel extraordinarily grateful to have been your student and colleague.
Thank you for being Hal.
Margaret Dodson
Back to TopDear Hal,
I am indebted to you in so many ways. You introduced me to Control Mastery Theory and offered me clarifying and orienting consultation for so many years. You encouraged me while I was writing the book, Imaginary Crimes, and gave generously of your time to offer extensive and specific suggestions for the book's improvement. The book would never been written without my exposure to you and it would have been a far inferior effort without your input. You have been a very important mentor for me--and a generous and loyal friend. I have always appreciated your wide-ranging intellect, your dry humor, and the fresh perspective you offer--whether to a difficult case, an intellectual question, or a personal problem that is perplexing me. And you have always been so kind to me - and been willing to help in whatever way you could.
Most recently, after Brandy's death, you and Fran invited me to join you for dinner on numerous occasions and helped me with your wisdom, good food, and nourishing talk. Those dinners were important in getting me through a very dark time and helping me begin to regain a relish for the life that is yet before me.
I wish you every happiness in this next phase of life,
Lewis Engel
Back to TopDear Hal,
I fell in love with clinical psychology as a first semester junior at Cornell University. Freud captured my interest, and I was hooked. At that same time, with winter approaching and the humidity of summer around the corner, I experienced a great desire to get out of Ithaca and into a more pleasing climate. California loomed in my dreams as it did for so many easterners, and I corresponded with a professor at UCSF who was conducting research on psychotherapy. We made the plan that I would come out to San Francisco during the summer following my junior year, and that I would work on his research project. I was overjoyed with the prospect of combining psychology and good weather!
Upon arriving in San Francisco, I enthusiastically called the office of the professor at UCSF. His secretary told me that he was in Europe for the summer, and that she had no knowledge of me and knew nothing about my working on a research project on psychotherapy. Holding back tears, I asked if she knew of anyone else in San Francisco who was doing research on psychotherapy as I had traveled quite a distance to participate on a project. She thought a few moments and said "Hal Sampson is doing some work over at Mount Zion Hospital." She gave me your phone number and hope crept back into my heart.
With some trepidation, as I could not handle any more disappointment, I telephoned you. YOU WERE SO KIND TO ME, SO GENEROUS WITH YOUR TIME, AND SO HELPFUL. I soon found out that you are always kind, generous, and helpful. You put me in touch with Suzanne, and she set up an interview with me the next day. The day after that I met with Marshall and began my work on their "silence as a resistance study." I spent two glorious months reading Freud, sitting in on discussions between Suzanne and Marshall, and being welcomed by the Control Mastery crew.
The following year, 1979, I began graduate school in psychology and came out to California for good. Throughout my graduate school years and during the beginning of my independent professional life I had the good fortune to attend your case conferences. I always left thinking the same thought-"Hal is so smart and so kind." Your humanity came through in your astute suggestions, and you made it comfortable for everyone to share their thoughts. In short, you were (and are) an incredible role model for me.
So, I thank you for the many ways you contributed to my professional life. You have been an inspiration and mentor. You introduced me to Suzanne who I love and who will be my life-long friend. Who could ever have guessed that an inconsiderate professor at UCSF would be the impetus for my tremendous good fortune. I was very lucky.
Be well in your semi-retirement. As always, I will enjoy seeing you at Hopkins Street.
With tremendous fondness, respect, and appreciation,
Mady Feingold
Back to TopDear Hal,
I am writing to say how terrific you are and how important you have been to me personally and professionally. I met you probably in 1984. Irwin Gootnick was my supervisor at Langley Porter in 1982 and 1983. He told me to get involved with the Mount Zion group. He said get in analysis with Hal Sampson and supervision with Joe Weiss. Of course I had to get into analysis with Joe Weiss and supervision with Hal Sampson.
I came to see you about supervising me in a Career Investigator Award. You said you couldn't supervise that but you did send me off to George Silberschatz, which was another terrific suggestion. You read my paper I had written with Charlie Marmar about Therapist Interventions which Improve Initially Poor Therapeutic Alliances. I remember you said it was very "congenial" with the way you thought about therapy.
When I prepared a grant application, you read it carefully and made extremely thoughtful suggestions. I remember being so impressed about how clear, thoughtful, and helpful you were. I was so impressed with how unusual those qualities were in the world of professionals, colleagues, and friends.
You supervised me for years. I remember so many of your attitudes and your suggested interpretations. You said one of my patients was worried about being "ruthless". That was a very helpful expression to me and to her. You would say to say to a patient, "it would be better if (such and such) could happen". That was such a subtle but powerful attitude. You couldn't make the patient do something. But you could still share an attitude that it would be better if they would. I quote you all the time to my supervisees when I teach the same idea. You don't have omnipotent responsibility or control as a therapist but you can be very helpful. That is a great lesson for therapists and patients alike to master and I credit you for helping articulate and achieve that balance.
You would tell me about one or two patients you saw early in your career that weren't paying their bills but you decided to take the risk that they would never pay and you saw them anyway because you had so much free time in your practice that you had nothing better to do. Again, your attitude was logical, slightly ironic, funny, and for some reason stuck in my clinical memory as important and formative of my own clinical instincts.
I was working closely with John Gibbins on our research projects during those years. I got such a kick out of talking to John about cases or ideas. He would set his jaw, move his hands, and speak with expression that exactly mimicked yours without being at all conscious of it. I took it as a testament to how important you were to him that he borrowed your gestures so shamelessly.
I have admired and enjoyed watching you speak at conferences or interact with attendees at the March Workshops. There is an openness of mind and spirit that many people in the group show but you and Joe exemplify. People who come to visit or learn all talk about that open spirit, that respectfulness and niceness that comes out in your treatment of clients, your analysis of clinical material, your treatment of supervisees and students who come from all over the world to learn. I have always been proud and honored to be part of the Mt. Zion and San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group, much of it because of the leadership that you and Joe have offered to so many of us.
It is hard to capture in a letter the depth of my appreciation and the quality of feeling I have for you. I hope you realize that just saying "Hi" in the hallway at 9 Funston is always an abbreviated testimonial to my longstanding affection and respect for you. I wish you all the best. I will miss your regular presence at Board Meetings and even running into you for a quick "hi" in the halls. But I hope you can appreciate how important and positive you have been to me personally, and may I add to so many of my colleagues, patients, students, and even family members who have known you in different contexts and who have expressed to me their respective feelings of love, appreciation, and admiration for you.
I hope you and Fran enjoy this premature retirement and I hope we remain friends and colleagues for a long time to come.
Much love and many thank yous,
Steve Foreman
Back to TopThank you Hal
Shortly before I was going to present on a panel for the first time with Hal and Joe, I told Hal that I was feeling nervous. Hal, with his unflappable, encouraging perspective responded with what I consider to be a highly original comment. He said, well, you know football players often throw up before a big game. I immediately felt reassured. Tonight it is an honor and a pleasure to speak to you and about you.
About Hal Sampson truly it can be said, to know him is to love him. This celebration of you Hal is well-earned. We have all benefited greatly from working with you and your active presence will be sorely missed.
In l974 when I was planning for a sabbatical year, some of my colleagues at the University of Mass. told me I would find a professional soul mate in Hal Sampson. These colleagues also told me that the Mount Zion Group's research projects were the most interesting psychoanalytic studies being conducted anywhere in the country. I was also considering an invitation to spend my sabbatical year working on a health subcommittee of Ted Kennedy's. After meeting you I knew that there was no way I was going to settle for Ted Kennedy's company when I could have yours instead. The idea of working with you on meaningful clinical research was highly appealing.
During my sabbatical year I was privileged to work closely with you as we designed the warded off contents research that replicated and expanded the work of Len Horowitz. That year I was also learning about Control Mastery Theory and thoroughly enjoying participating in your case conference as well as Joe's.
I was very struck by how talented a teacher I found you to be. I had heard that more than once you had received the Golden Bagel award from Mount Zion Hospital for being the best teacher in the training program. Watching you at work I knew you had more than deserved every golden bagel you had won. You ran your seminar listening attentively to what participants thought they knew and with your questions and observations you gently invited them to move from their familiar ways of thinking. You had a talent for getting students to engage in exchanging ideas with one another. Even when students strongly disagreed with your views you'd ask a question rather than tell them that they were wrong. I appreciated the strong investment you made in the lives, careers and development of your students in general, and I flourished being the beneficiary of such an investment that I felt you had made in me.
During that year I noticed that many outstanding trainees were eager to join the research group and volunteer their time for the opportunity to participate in the research. The people you and Joe gathered around you were wonderful to work with too, and the intellectual stimulation of the research group added to my joy in being a part of this enterprise.
Because I didn't want to give up the intellectual home I had found in the research group, under your mentorship I wrote a NIMH research grant. Your help was invaluable. During our meetings I continued to admire your powerful intellect, your creative and clear thinking, and your talent as a writer. I was so grateful for the extraordinary generosity you showed me, giving so unstintingly with your time, and even more importantly with your incisive thinking.
Having discovered the essentials of Control Mastery Theory, I became eager to apply its principals to my clinical work. You agreed to supervise my work and once again I was thoroughly enjoying your gifts as a teacher. I found you to be exceptionally insightful about the struggles of my patients and the therapeutic responses that would help them to achieve their goals. I found your perspective and humor to be infectious, and was far more secure with patients who overtly were battling, belittling or rejecting me, knowing I could turn to you for your wise counsel. With your help I could see that I was becoming a far better clinician and to this day I find that I continue to learn from you when discussing clinical issues.
So after two years of working closely with you, I made the momentous decision to resign from my tenured position, a decision I would have considered unimaginable when first I joined the research group. Hal, you and Control Mastery Theory combined to lure me away from U. Mass., and I thank you and Joe for the rich career of almost 30 years duration now that I have enjoyed here.
I want to say in closing how blessed I have been to have you as a mentor, a collaborator and a precious friend. In my life experience, your talent for collaboration is unprecedented. When discussing an issue with you, your knack for asking a question, elaborating a point or effortlessly making a clarifying comment has very much enhanced my thinking. It has been a common experience to hear you giving me credit for a thought that I would instead have credited as yours. I believe that this talent for collaboration was essential to the workings of the then Mt Zion Psychotherapy research group that you and Joe launched. I believe that the further development of the Control Mastery movement rests on all of us to the best of our abilities learning to follow your example Hal, as a thinker, researcher, teacher, clinician, supervisor, writer, and most of all, a caring human being who exudes integrity, authenticity, compassion, and unfailing decency.
I love you very much Hal.
Suzanne Gassner
Back to TopDear Hal,
In the Acknowledgements to my recent book, "Interpersonal Foundations of Psychology" (2004, American Psychological Association), I included the following paragraph, which you are welcome to use if it seems appropriate.
"My current views of psychopathology were first shaped during my three-year postdoctoral clinical training at the Mt. Zion Psychiatric Clinic in San Francisco, an exemplary training program that was still in its golden age at the time of my training. The impressive staff at Mt. Zion possessed a wealth of experience, knowledge, intellectual acumen, interpersonal sensitivity, and, equally important, rich internal norms about indicators and consequences of psychological difficulties. I am particularly grateful to Harold Sampson, an outstanding clinical mentor whose intellectual astuteness, capacity for empathy, and remarkable clinical insight contributed greatly to my development as a clinical psychologist."
Len Horowitz
Back to TopDear Hal,
I'm sorry that I haven't had the opportunity to have more contact with you over the last number of years given the demands of my practice, teaching, family and far East Bay location.
Nonetheless, you continue to influence both the way I conduct my clinical work and even more significantly, for this reminiscence, my teaching.
Having had several fairly traumatic experiences throughout my graduate training involving learning environments that became overly competitive and filled with an anticipation of critical feedback from the course or seminar instructor, it was with the greatest relief and enthusiasm that I first emerged from your Case Conferences back in the early 90's. I had never in all of my training experiences found an instructor to possess such a combination of clinical wisdom and ability to foster a safe and collaborative learning environment, where all participants' feedback is treated with the highest respect. I remember bringing a professor colleague of mine to one of your case conferences, and he also left full of appreciation and inspiration over kind of learning atmosphere that you manage to create.
While our paths, unfortunately, do not cross very frequently, I want you to know how much the example that you have set for excellence in teaching remains such an integral part of my own vision for myself as a teacher and supervisor. I can't thank you enough for your invaluable contributions to my professional development. I wish you only the best as you move forward in this next stage of your incredible journey.
With warm regards,
Steve Kanofsky
Back to TopDear Hal,
Thank you for welcoming me into your conference and to Control Mastery and for being the warm sweet person that you are. I was a neophyte therapist starting out in the Mount Zion Crisis Clinic and you were a wonderful teacher who gave me confidence and support and a feeling of belonging that has contributed immeasurably to my career and to my life.
Linda Michels
Back to TopDear Hal,
In this important moment of your life and of your professional career, I send you -- all the way from Italy! -- my warmest wishes and affectionate feelings.
From what I know you (both from your writings and you thoughtful comments during lovely discussions - for example I still recall vividly a interesting talk we had at dinner at George's house in August 1995), I am sure you will be able to pass this "test" in the best way!
I look forward to see you again, and to enjoy your friendship.
An embrace
paolo
Paolo Migone, M.D.
Co-editor, Psicoterapia e Scienze Umane
http://www.psicoterapiaescienzeumane.it/english.htm
Parma, Italy
Dear Hal,
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet with Hal and two other colleagues (Kathy Anolick and Lynn Watkins) for four weeks of case consultation in September 2002. Hal's warmth and supportive manner, along with his brilliance and extraordinary way of capturing the essence of each case that was presented, are memories I hold onto. His reflections on treatment by attitude and his suggestions to "be bold" are phrases that continue to guide me in my work.
I can't thank you enough, Hal, for creating such an exciting theory - one that has transformed my work as a therapist. And I am very grateful for your compassionate guidance.
With all warm wishes,
Connie Philipp
Back to TopIn Recognition of Hal's Retirement
I want to recognize the extraordinary impact you have had on so many people during your career, and in particular, the impact you have had on me as mentor, colleague, and friend during the 24 years we've known each other. I first met you when you taught a sequence in the 2-year Mt. Zion Postgraduate program in San Francisco. I was intrigued with this new theory and your research and soon went to the conference featuring you and Joe, Modell, and Wallerstein. I came away knowing that I wanted to learn more. I then steeped myself in consultation with you and Fran and occasionally with Joe, participated in your and Joe's case conferences, worked with George Silberschatz and John Curtis on the brief psychotherapy research team, began teaching, and participated on the Board as Education Chair for many years. It was an enriching professional home for me for many years anchored in our mentoring relationship.
In addition, I was often surprised at my experience of the many implicit resonances our discussion of a case had for me personally that I would think about over time. In retrospect, I think you were doing "consultation by attitudes," perhaps, before you even identified overtly (newsletter piece on Treatment by Attitudes) that you were engaged in "treatment by attitudes." In addition I felt you were not only taking the patient into consideration but our particular dyad--our unique system that a given patient and I were forming. I was learning about myself with that patient, as well as about that particular patient. You were very good for me while helping me closely track how the patient was working with me responsive to the themes of the big picture. This aspect of our connection contributed to my growing interest in the intersubjective field and the contribution of both implicit and explicit communications of each person in the dyad to the interaction, aspects that you also began articulating in relationship to the testing process, in which you theorized that a patient by testing pathogenic beliefs in relation to the therapist is implicitly asking a particular sort of question of the therapist often through action.
In case conferences, your sensitivity to the therapist -patient system and your protection of the case presenter was an inspiration to me and still serves as a model in my own supervisory work today.
I loved our discussions about different perspectives when I was Education Chair-- when we had the series of Dialogue Conferences or when I had a presentation to give. These conversations greatly expanded my horizons. I so appreciated your interest in finding bridges of commonality among perspectives, as well as recognizing important differences. One idea you had that has always stayed with me was your sense of how different theories get at similar ideas in very different ways-often embedded in their theoretical perspective that may not be immediately obvious. I realized later that those years of our talking about different perspectives, their commonalities and differences countered experiences from my own history of a 3-generation family in the same town that could support only one view- one version of life attitudes. Alternative perspectives in my family were not allowed without great censure. So no wonder, I have personally championed pluralism! And I found that support in our relationship, which has meant so much to me, even as I struggled with my own sense of disloyalty-separation and survivor guilt about entertaining useful aspects of other perspectives beyond CM.
I felt so prepared and supported by you as I ventured into the psychoanalytic world at ICP, Los Angeles and beyond. I enjoyed our collegial coming together at the Self Psychology Conference 3 years ago, when you presented such a cogent discussion of my case. I was very proud of you.
I feel a family connection with you and Fran. You are such a great team, your generosity, warmth and good humor so welcoming to so many of us. I value your continuing friendship as you celebrate 50 years of marriage, and now, move into retirement together. Your career spanned a time of sea change in perspectives and you've been an integral part of that exciting change. I wonder what is ahead for you. I always enjoy your particular "take" on a situation, the slice of life form Hal's shoes and look forward to hearing how you experience your next adventure into retirement.
So it's with much appreciation, love and gratitude, that I celebrate your life work, your marriage with Fran, and now your retirement.
Judy Pickles
Back to TopHal has been an inspiration and role-model for me from even before I began clinical training.
I first met him in the early 70's, when he was meeting regularly with Joe on their early research on defenses. I was in graduate school in an academic discipline, but I was considering switching to clinical work. Hal and Joe were generous with their time and thoughtfulness in entertaining any and all of my (naïve, I am sure) questions about the field and their work. When I arrived at the DMH program, Hal was one of my first theory teachers. He impressed me with his breadth of scholarship, depth of understanding, gracefulness in the classroom, and warm sense of humor. At Mt. Zion, he was one of my first supervisors, and I received the benefit of his experience, patience, and wisdom. One of the highlights of my training at the Institute was Hal's class on Chapter 7 of The Interpretation of Dreams. It was a tour de force! Hal led us step by step through Freud's arguments, with detailed, focused study questions on each week's small reading. By the time we were done, I had grappled with the strengths, weaknesses, historical context, and contemporary relevance of this high-water mark of Freud's metapsychology, and I had come to a deep appreciation of the richness of the minds of Sigmund Freud and Harold Sampson. Throughout the years since then Hal has continued as a treasured consultant, a steady supporter and guide through the thickets of research, politics, and practice. He has been unfailing with his encouragement, perspective, and humor. Thank you, Hal!
Paul Ransohoff
Back to TopDear Hal,
My desire to be like you, have you as a role for how to treat everyone, opened my eyes to how people can be helped through psychotherapy. Thank you so much for all that you have done for everybody.
Love to you and good wishes on your retirement,
Helene Redmond, MFT
Back to TopHal,
My memory is faulty enough that I can't remember the exact time or circumstance, but when you elaborated on what you called "treatment by attitude," it was like a beacon in the night for me.
Brilliant!! A moment of truth!!
That little concept carries so much weight. It so elegantly and simply illustrates how we learn unconsciously, and it has been a tremendously helpful guide in my psychotherapy practice.
Thank you for all your inspiration, conscious and unconscious, and congratulations!
Peter Schumacher
Back to TopDear Hal,
Words can't express how much I have appreciated the consultation time I've been priveleged to have with you, or how much I feel I have learned from you.
Often, in my work, I find myself thinking "What would Hal say about this?" or "How would Hal respond to this?" To me, that is the mark of a true role model.
I send you sincerest wishes for good health and happiness, together with your family, on the occasion of your retirement,
Sincerely,
Gail Shak
Back to TopMy Memories of Hal
I'm not going to discuss the innumerable ways that Hal has improved my clinical work in the 30+ years that I have consulted with him-that goes without saying. But I do want to mention two ways in which Hal had a significant impact on my personal life.
First, when I was a pre-doctoral intern: I was not happy about having to leave San Francisco and return to Buffalo to finish my dissertation. I was sitting next to Hal at the "Golden Bagel" awards dinner and complaining to him about having to leave. Hal spent some time convincing me that this was a really good thing for me to do. By the end of the dinner I felt much more upbeat about my decision. I proceeded to return to Buffalo, finish my dissertation, and return to San Francisco the following year, convinced that this had been a very good idea. (Of course, years later when I reminded Hal of our conversation, not only did he have no memory of it, he insisted that he must have been lying, because it was a ridiculous idea that spending a year in Buffalo was better than spending a year in San Francisco, no matter what the reason. No matter, it got the job done and improved my mood for a difficult year.)
Second, was his assigning Bob to work with me on the Insight into Omnipotence scale: I was not happy about having to work with a visiting professor on sabbatical because I was concerned that he might not work hard enough, and I was complaining to Hal about that (there seems to be a theme here). Hal said that Bob seemed like a very nice guy, that I should give it a try, and if he didn't work out Hal would find some other project for him to work on. Obviously, it worked out quite well. So with one decision, Hal made six people happy (Bob and me and two sets of parents).
Enjoy your retirement.
Cynthia Johnson Shilkret
Back to TopMy Debt to Hal
In 1978, I had my first sabbatical from Mount Holyoke College, and I decided to do a clinical postdoc with adults and to become involved in some clinical research, since that had not been covered in my graduate program. To find a place, I settled on a plan of making lots of phone calls and asking people where they thought the most interesting clinical research was occurring, and the name that first came up three times would be my first choice. An outfit called the Mount Zion Psychotherapy Research Group came up first, and so that's where I applied. Hal, with extraordinary insight based on very limited information, assigned me to be Cynthia Johnson's research assistant for the year (see above). I have no doubt at all that he knew.exactly what he was doing and what would be the outcome.
To make a short story shorter, by the end of the year, Cynthia and I had decided to marry. I liked the theory a lot too, and have made it a significant part of my teaching, clinical work, and research. Thus, I owe Hal a great deal: to him, I attribute finding a life partner, the best clinical developmental theory I know, and a program of research.
It can now be said that Hal would score very high on the Insight to Omnipotence scale Cynthia and I worked on that year. In terms of actual, real omnipotence, he's off the charts.
Robert Shilkret
Back to TopTo Hal Sampson:
Thank you so much for helping me with one of the hardest "cases" I have ever worked with. I learned enormously from you.
I wish you and Fran a marvelous retirement.
Margaret Stroad
Back to TopDear Hal,
It's been a pleasure and an honor to know you, learn from you, and to work with you in therapy over the years. You have enjoyed a brilliant and stellar career that has been inspiring certainly to me, as well as to a known and unknown many over the years. When I first met you as my therapist, I knew very little about Control Mastery. What I knew was that Mark Levine had the fire of a new convert from a Church of Christ, espousing that any therapy regardless of theoretical orientation only worked because the therapist was doing Control Mastery even if they didn't know they were. Lisa, his wife, and Deborah Davis, my then wife, were enthusiasts as well, although a bit less radical. I thought this was all a bit too much fundamentalism, and that the strong emphasis on guilt was misplaced and oversimplified the complexity of the human condition. This, then, is what I brought to our first psychotherapy appointment together.
I can remember scoffing at such ideas, and, without my knowing, you passing test after test, after test. Hal, you are a very important figure in my life. You truly provided me with the "corrective emotional experience" of a caring, supportive, and encouraging father…and much more. I so resonated with your positive energy, outlook, manner of being, humor, and friendliness, that I was won over quickly. That was followed by a true appreciation of your intellect and mental rigor, combined with your curiosity and playfulness. In our work together, as well as in the many and various seminars, workshops, and classes I participated in with both you and others, I found this period to rank with the most stimulating of my life…both professionally and otherwise.
Thank you Hal for your wisdom, and your warmth. Thank you for such a long and wonderful career. Thank you for your kindness. I will never forget you.
With only the best and warmest regards,
David Torres
Back to TopThanks for this opportunity to celebrate Hal's life and work!
I love working with Hal as a consultant. He has an amazing ability to quickly understand patients and is instructive without ever being critical. He is very curious and wise about the efficacy of other therapeutic techniques and helpful when I choose to integrate them into my work.
Best of all I loved shmoozing with him about sports; we had several great years of discussing NBA and 49'er games. I'll miss seeing you in the Presidio, Hal (where I could get in a few minutes of birding before our hour) but you're worth the commute over the bridge!!
Hal, for this next phase of your life, I wish you all the time you've ever wanted to write that book, take those refreshing walks with Fran, watch those DVD's (don't forget Netflix!) and please, for heavens sake, if you see a bird in your yard and you don't know what it is, call me!
Love,
Renna Ulvang
Back to TopDear Hal,
On the eve of your retirement, I would like to thank you for the tremendous contributions you have made in developing and researching Control Mastery Theory. This theory transformed my professional life 30 years ago, and has continued to challenge and enrich my work with patients and students.
In your papers, conferences and workshops I have always appreciated the clarity of your thought and your deep compassion for patients. And I have enjoyed our exchanges at SFPRG parties.
I hope the coming years will continue to be exciting and fulfilling.
All the best,
Denny Zeitlin
Back to TopClick here to read more about Joseph Weiss
Click here to read more about Hal Sampson