About

Dr. Prudence Gourguechon is a former President of the American Psychoanalytic Association and past Dean of the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute. 

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Dr. Prudence Gourguechon

Psychiatrist, leader, and expert in mental health based in Chicago, Illinois. 

Dr. Gourguechon has 35 years of clinical experience as a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological suffering and mental illness related to trauma including PTSD and the effects of childhood sexual abuse and neglect. Additionally she has deep experience in the psychiatric evaluation and treatment of patients suffering from substance abuse disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, personality disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Dr. Gourguechon provides services as an expert witness and consultant to attorneys in the evaluation and assessment of psychological injury including psychiatric illness, mental anguish and emotional distress in cases involving trauma, discrimination, harassment or disability. She has provided assistance to both the plaintiff and defense counsel in civil court matters such as personal injury cases, sexual harassment matters, Title IX and ADA claims. She is an approachable and clear writer and speaker and is known for her ability to translate complex technical material into understandable language that is relatable to non-scientific audiences. 

Educated at Yale, the University of Michigan, and Northwestern University, she is a past President of the American Psychoanalytic Association and past Dean of the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute. She is board certified in Psychiatry and licensed in the State of Illinois. Dr. Gourguechon has been quoted and featured as a trusted mental health expert on numerous media outlets, podcasts, and publications where she provided insight regarding human behavior and motivation.

Her experience as a business consultant and writer specializing in explaining psychological aspects of leadership led to her developing a unique 5-point tool based on core cognitive competencies and character traits for assessing a leader’s ability to carry out high-level responsibilities. Her consultancy practice and business writing includes analysis of executive malfeasance, leadership failure to understand the consequences of their actions and the structure of leader apologies.

A current interest is “leadership malpractice” and its effects on victims and survivors, a particular kind of emotional damage known in psychiatry as “moral injury.” Leadership malpractice is one way of describing the neglect by institutional bystanders who fail to act and protect when informed of abuse by their employees.

Areas of Expertise

Experience

Independent Expert Witness
(2006 – Present)
Specialization in the evaluation and assessment of psychological injury including mental anguish and emotional distress in cases involving trauma, discrimination, harassment or disability.

President and Consultant, Invantage Advising
(2017 – Present)
Consulting with business leaders on the psychology that underlies leadership practice, critical business behaviors, decisions, and strategy.

Private Practice, Psychiatry
(1983 – Present)
Extensive experience diagnosing and treating patients with PTSD and trauma related disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, substance abuse, obsessive compulsive disorder, and personality disorders.

Independent Consulting
(2005 – 2017)
Consultation on decision-making, executive search, personnel conflicts, marketing and messaging, member communications and legal consulting.

Unit Chief, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
(1983 – 1985)
General inpatient psychiatry. Responsible for oversight of psychiatry unit with 20 patients suffering depression, psychosis and severe personality disorders as well as monitoring the work of psychiatrists, medical students and residents..

Selected Appointments & Accomplishments

2021 – Present  Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. (Course: Fourth Year Resident Case Conference

2020-2021 Guest Faculty, Department of Psychiatry, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. (Course: Fourth Year Resident Case Conference)

1997 – Present   Faculty, Institute for Psychoanalysis, Chicago, Illinois (Courses: Psychopathology, Community Application of Psychoanalysis)

2018 – Present Experienced disability examiner evaluating diagnosis, functional capacity and rehabilitation potential. Retained by Social Security Administration, Mednick Associates, Dane Street, State of Illinois Secretary of State among others.

2019 – 2020 Dean, Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute

2018 Chaired Jury Committee judging submissions to paper prize on mental health aspects of incarceration. Seidenberg Paper Prize, 2018, Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute

2008 – 2015 Designed, founded and led Service Members and Veterans Initiative of the American Psychoanalytic Association in response to the growing mental health crisis among service members, veterans and their families.

2014 – 2017   Representative to American Psychiatric Association Assembly from the American Psychoanalytic Association

2010 – 2014   Head, Psychoanalysis and Social Issues Department, American Psychoanalytic Association

2008 – 2010 President, American Psychoanalytic Association

1983-1997   Faculty, Northwestern University Medical School Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences