Antonio Virsida, Ph.D., ABPP
It is with a heavy heart that the Southeast Florida Association for Psychoanalytic Psychology informs its membership and other interested colleagues of the passing of Antonio Virsida, Ph.D., ABPP on June 8, 2018. He leaves behind his wife, Suraya, their daughter Cristina and her family, and innumerable other family and friends who grieve his loss.
Dr. Virsida was a psychologist-psychoanalyst in independent practice for 40 years, remaining actively engaged with his patients until his death, always concerned about his patients’ growth and well-being. Although a master at interpretations, which could be experienced as incisive, his patients knew him best as a kind, sensitive, non-judgmental analyst who always had their best interests at heart. Dr. Virsida was also a psychoanalytic scholar who published in many psychoanalytic journals and was exceptionally well versed in the psychoanalytic literature.
It would have been impossible to find a clinician who was more passionate about disseminating psychoanalysis to both the professional and lay communities than Dr. Virsida. He was the father of both SEFAPP and of the Southeast Florida Institute for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. For many years he was the person who greeted professional newcomers to south Florida, often inviting them to lunch, and enjoining them to become active in our mission of enhancing the acceptance and stature of our shared professional love. Dr. Virsida served as President of the Institute for many years and held most SEFAPP Board positions, including being President for two terms. He received the Distinguished Analyst Award from both organizations, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award which he most decidedly deserved.
In addition to his participation in local Board memberships, he was a member of the American Psychological Association’s Division of Psychoanalysis for over 30 years. A member of many of the Division’s Sections, he also served as both Secretary and President of Section I, Psychologist-Psychoanalyst Practitioners. Dr. Virsida was also involved with the International Forum for Psychoanalytic Education and received their Distinguished Educator Award.
His loss leaves a huge hole in our hearts, in our psychoanalytic community and in psychoanalysis itself.
Funeral services will be held at St Henry Catholic Church at 1500 S. Andrews Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 at 11am on June 16, 2016.
In lieu of flowers, Dr. Virsida requested that donations be made to SEFAPP either online at SEFAPP.org or by mail at SEFAPP, 10803 S. Plaza Del Oro, Yuma, Az, 85367
TONY'S WALL
These statements are taken from emails received
* This is terribly sad news. - Donna Marks
* This is so so sad. Tony was a great guy and a very active psychoanalyst both clinically and organizationally. He helped establish a vibrant psychologist-psychoanalyst organization in Southeast Florida, and in addition he was a very engaging, warm, and outspoken member of the human community. I always considered him a friend and colleague even though we lived a thousand miles apart. He will be sorely missed psychoanalysis will be a little poorer without him and so will the human community. - Frank Summers
* I am so so sad to receive this news. Tony was a special presence in our field and touched many lives in important ways. My condolences to his family and all who cared about him. I think we first met when he invited me to talk in Florida, and even though we did not see each other often I was always so moved by the conversations we had then and later. - Darlene Bregman Ehrenberg* My warm condolences to Tony’s family, friends and colleagues. In the 1990’s and 2000’s he came to Tampa many times to share his psychological wisdom with like minded clinicians here. He was my “go to” when I needed to make a referral on the southeast coast of Florida. He was “Dr Psychoanalysis” on the east coast of Florida. His wisdom, warmth and sense of humor will be greatly missed. - Stanley A Tsigounis,PhD. Clinical Psychologist & Psychoanalyst,Co-Director, Contemporary Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis, Sarasota, Fl, Member: Division 39; American Psychoanalytic Association; International Psychoanalytic Association.* I am so sorry to hear of Tony's death. What a warm and embracing presence he had. My condolences to Suraya and Cristina whom I also remember with fondness. - Ghislaine Boulanger* So sad to hear about Tony's passing. I've known him since our days at Postgraduate Center for mental Health in NY in the 1970's . Wonderful moments with him over the years. And we had in common our fluency in Spanish, as I grew up in Argentina. My condolences to his family. Warmly - Al Brok* I’m sad to learn of Tony’s death. He was a warm and sturdy presence, a friend I saw rarely but with whom I shared good times and good conversations at Section I events, in Florida, and elsewhere. My condolences to his family and loved ones. - Gemma Marangoni Ainslie* This is indeed sad news. Tony was such a force for psychoanalysis and dynamic psychotherapy. He leaves a legacy to inspire us all. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and to the entire community of mental health professionals who will so greatly feel the loss of his warmth and wisdom. I knew him well from Section I and many dinners with him during APA and Division 39 meetings over the past 38 years.- Maurine Kelber Kelly, Ph.D., P.A. Psychologist/Psychoanalyst
* Tony Virsida was a teacher in graduate school and an early inspiration for becoming an analyst. He was thoughtful and knowledgeable and a great guy. I admired him despite our old argument over his claim that Kohut had basically plagiarized Winnicott's ideas. - Andrew Lagomasino, PsyD, ABPP
*I add my condolences to Suraya. Tony and I became friends in the 1990's while participating in Section One leadership. A Fort Lauderdale weekend meeting benefited greatly from his choice of restaurants, as well as his other talents, personal and professional. - Jeff Golland
* I spoke to Tony just a couple of weeks ago because he was looking for a referral in North Florida. He did not sound well. Still the news comes as a shock. He was a beloved colleague for so many of us all across the Division. - John S. Auerbach, PhD
* I also remember Tony’s contributions in his leadership in Division 39 creating a yearly intersection meeting, back in the 90’s, at our spring meeting, where section leadership from all our sections would meet together and discuss areas of shared interest. This was really helpful to Section 9, the youngest of the sections, helping us integrate into the Division and pursue projects with other sections. He was most welcoming. Bill Macgillivray eventually took over and continued in that role. My condolences to his family, - Best wishes, Lu Steinberg
* This is such sad news and a great loss. People often say, when recommending an analyst, "I would send a family member to him/her." But I actually did send my mother to Tony. She spoke so highly of his warmth and humanity. He made a great difference in her life. After Tony published his article, "Death Drive: Psychic Construction or Destruction," I sent him a note: "Congratulations on your article! I don't know if you know this, but I have written about the death drive. My brother, too, has written about the death drive. I see our mother has gotten to you, too!" - Steven Reisner, PhD
* Tony's parents were deaf. I met him in the 1970's when he was a psychologist at Lexington Center for the Deaf and I was a Sign Language interpreter.He was a warm and generous person and knew a lot about deafness (obviously). I'm so sad to hear about his death. - Susan Kolod Ph.D
* I knew Tony from the early years of D39, when we were among those completely immersed in making it a going concern. As one of that group committed early and fervently to the Division and to psychoanalysis, Tony was central to its success. My deepest condolence to his family, friends and patients, and of course also to us as a Division. - Harriette Kaley, PhD., ABPP *I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Tony. We trained together back in the 1970's at The Postgraduate Center for Mental Health. Anytime I had a referral to make in Florida I’d reach out to him. A warm conversation always followed. - via anonymous chat *I am saddened to hear about the passing of Tony Virsida. We met in 1998 when I first spent time in South Florida. He immediately invited me to join the Board, teach, and give talks at Nova Southeastern. A warm, open, direct man, his passion for Psychoanalysis was palpable. He inspired many who may not have otherwise engaged in Psychoanalytic thought. He was utterly devoted to Psychoanalysis and endlessly creative in his pursuit, adding value to the world through his efforts. He is deeply missed. - Tina Goodin, Ph.D., ABPP - Psychoanalyst, CPS, IPA - Clinical Psychologist - Palm Beach, FL
|
© 2021 | The Southeast Florida Association for Psychoanalytic Psychology (SEFAPP)
Phone/Fax: (954) 637-3883 | Email: office@sefapp.org | Mailing Address: 4800 N. Federal Hwy, Suite 203A, Boca Raton, FL 33431
| Contact Us | 
