Exploring Paths:
From Journalism to Psychoanalysis to
HUC-JIR

Joyce Rosenberg, D.Min. ’24, J.D., a licensed psychoanalyst with over 25 years of experience, dedicates her days to helping individuals and couples navigate life’s challenges. Her journey, initially rooted in journalism where she honed her skills at prestigious outlets like NBC Radio and The Associated Press, took a pivotal turn when she pursued psychoanalytic training alongside her journalistic career.

Her dual passions for understanding human behavior and storytelling intertwined as she transitioned from journalism to psychoanalysis, a shift driven by an interest to explore personal and existential questions. “It took years to figure out what was missing,” Joyce reflects, “and psychoanalysis became my path.”

Joyce’s relationship with Judaism also shaped her path to HUC-JIR. Raised in a home where religious practice was minimal, she felt a longing to connect with her Jewish identity. This journey led her to Congregation Emanu-El, where she found solace and inspiration in Jewish teachings. “I grew to admire HUC through the impact it had on Emanu-El’s rabbis,” Joyce shares, highlighting her longstanding admiration for the institution.

In January 2020, Joyce enrolled in HUC-JIR’s D.Min. program, drawn not only by the prospect of enhancing her psychoanalytic skills but also by the theological exploration offered. “The theological component was uncharted territory for me,” she explains, believing it could provide insights into her ongoing quest for faith and meaning.

Joyce’s journey underscores the transformative power of education and introspection. Through HUC-JIR, she continued to deepen her understanding of psychoanalysis and explore the intersection of psychology, spirituality, and Jewish thought, forging a path that bridged her professional expertise with her personal quest for spiritual fulfillment.

Joyce is currently beginning work on journal articles based on her demonstration project. Her project examined whether and how Freudian-trained psychoanalysts explore their patients’ thoughts and feelings about God, faith, religion, and spirituality. Freud, despite identifying as a Jew, excoriated religion and considered it a neurosis that needed to be cured. This condemnation has influenced many training institutes to omit discussions about patients’ religious material from their curricula. However, there are analysts who do explore patients’ religious material, and some have written about their work with individual patients.

Joyce conducted an extensive survey of Freudian-trained analysts, a pioneering effort in the field. She believes her findings can be the basis for several journal articles that need to be published.

In addition to her psychoanalytic work, Joyce’s degree in pastoral counseling has sparked an interest in exploring professional settings where she could work. The program at HUC-JIR has also unexpectedly helped her address her struggles with faith and her identity as a Jew. She now feels a sense of peace she never had before regarding her lack of faith, her desire to have faith, and her discomfort with others’ faith. Her theology instructors, Rabbi Seth Bernstein, ‘77, Instructor in Theology, Rabbi Richard Address, D.Min, ’72, ‘99, and Rabbi Bennett Miller, ’74, Lecturer in Pastoral Theology have been instrumental guides and companions throughout this process. Her cohort provided emotional and spiritual growth that transcended the educational experience.

The program’s psychological component, including psychoanalytic theory and various approaches to mental health and therapeutic work, has also significantly impacted Joyce’s work with patients. The readings and exploration of pastoral counseling have enriched her therapeutic practice, much like her learnings about faith. This holistic educational experience at HUC-JIR has allowed Joyce to integrate these diverse elements into a cohesive and fulfilling professional journey.

In the end, the paths she chose to explore led to finding an elevated common ground for her personal, educational, and professional passions.