2023 New Faculty Emeritus

Avedis Panajian, PhD – Dr. Panajian spent over 30 years at Pacifica in the Clinical Psychology Program. As reflected by his colleagues, Dr. Panajian is recognized as a beloved master teacher in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. In addition to his work at Pacifica, Dr. Panajian is a Fellow of the International Psychoanalytical Association, a certified psychoanalyst, researcher, licensure examiner, senior lecturer, supervisor, distinguished-educator award winner, and licensed psychologist in California. After his recent retirement, he has continued to stay connected and support the program, notably through dissertation committee work. In all he does, he serves with a pearl of humorous, humbled, and muscled wisdom. His manner of communication inspires trust with his direct and open approach, and he is committed to collaboration and shepherding the next generation of clinicians. We congratulate and thank Dr. Panajian, and look forward to his continued contributions to Pacifica through his Emeritus status.

Jorge de la O, MA, LMFT, JA, STR – As his Co-Chairs noted, Professor de la O has been a long-standing and much-beloved instructor for generations of students in the MA Counseling program and holds critical leadership positions within the department. Originally a schoolteacher for 36 years, Jorge is an IAAP-certified Jungian Analyst and Registered Sandplay Therapist who has maintained private practice alongside his vibrant teaching career at Pacifica. In 2011 Professor Jorge was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He also plays a leading role at the C.G. Jung Study Center of Southern California. He remains an Analytic Member of the International Association for Analytical Psychology and the Analytical Psychology Club in Los Angeles. We send Professor de la O our congratulations and gratitude on his Emeritus status.