The American Psychoanalytic Association’s Award for Excellence in Journalism was formally established in 1999 and each year recognizes professional reporting or other short form writing distinguished by exceptional quality and that makes a significant contribution to illuminating psychoanalytic principles and perspectives on the human condition to the public.

The $1,000 award is broadly conceived. Nominated work need not be solely about psychoanalysis or psychoanalytic psychotherapy. However, submissions must employ an explicitly psychoanalytic perspective to clarify, challenge, or advance the public’s understanding of human behavior, relationships, mental health, or psychologically complex social issues or events.

The Award is juried by a panel of professional journalists as well as by psychoanalysts with experience communicating in the general press and other popular media.

Submissions may be sent in directly by the author or nominated by someone else.