Editorial
Howard J. Chavis, M.D.
Circumstances recently found me in Lewisberg, Pennsylvania. While there I visited the United States Penitentiary where Reich was imprisoned following his conviction for violating an injunction against the interstate transport of orgone accumulators. Without recounting the details and Michael Silvert’s1 contribution to the emotional plague’s triumphant murder of Reich, suffice it to say that for a medical orgonomist to see in person and experience where Reich was incarcerated and died was, and is, resonating deeply beyond description and words.
The Journal of Orgonomy has been published twice yearly since 1967. Looking through the current issue and the previous issues, one is struck with the breadth and depth of the articles offered. They provide a clear picture of the liveliness and status of the science of orgonomy and the advancements that have been made since Reich’s discoveries, his presentation of a new and profound way of thinking and understanding life, its basic functions, and the suffering that humanity has endured for millennia, and his development of medical orgone therapy allowing doctors to reach and treat the depths of human bio-social-sexual pathology. For example, Dr. Foglia’s article, “On The Technique of Medical Orgone Therapy Part III, The Tools of Medical Orgone Therapy and The Patience of The Medical Orgonomist,” identifies the basics of medical orgone therapy and highlights the patience and attention required of the medical orgonomist. Dr. Whitener’s insightful 13th installment of her series on “The Emotional Plague in Everyday Life” once again sheds light on the malignant social scourge attacking healthy life particularly the discoverers of knowledge regarding health, and traces some of the history of the ACO. In “Good News III,” Dr. Whitener includes stories highlighting the value of spontaneity in daily life. She points out that spontaneity allows the possibility of emotional contact, an essential component of the basic functions of health, love, work, and knowledge that Reich identified. Dr. Marcel’s article, “Suicidality, Love, and Emotional Contact in Medical Orgone Therapy,” addresses the current pandemic of loneliness, describes the treatment of a suicidal patient, and shows how understanding character and muscular armoring allowed for expression of the patient’s deep misery, longing, and finally love. These are just a few of the articles found in this issue of the Journal. And there is an extraordinary range and diversity of articles contained in the previous 57 years of Journals.
Orgonomy and its many branches, medical, social and biological, provide a profound perspective to understanding the chaos so apparent in the current world. Without this, humanity is left with the riven forces, especially in politics, that threaten what’s left of the social order that existed before the anti-authoritarian transformation of society that began around 1960.2 This is not being taught in schools at any level much to the detriment of current and future generations.
The American College of Orgonomy, through this Journal and other outreach efforts such as its webinars, podcasts and other opportunities, continues to bring this knowledge to the public.
Despite a Court injunction against the interstate transport of orgone accumulators, Silvert, in June 1955, began renting and selling orgone accumulators while Reich was in Arizona involved in DOR-removal weather operations.
Prior to 1960, for thousands of years, at least since the beginning of recorded history, the structure of society was authoritarian based on repression. This endured despite wars, social cataclysms, religious crusades, revolutions, shifts of political power, you name it. However, starting in the 1950s and 1960s this changed as the authoritarian social order transformed into anti-authoritarianism with its “anything goes” zeitgeist. Although he didn’t live to see it, Reich predicted this in his 1948 book, Listen, Little Man!
Communications and Notes
Orgonomy in Europe
Although many individuals and groups in Europe represent themselves as practicing medical orgone therapy, Theodota Chasapi, M.D., Thessaloniki, Greece and Alberto Foglia, M.D., Lugano- Paradiso, Switzerland are the only physicians practicing in Europe who are recognized as such by the American College of Orgonomy. In addition, the American College of Orgonomy (ACO) recognizes only those orgonomic events and programs in Europe affiliated with, organized, and sponsored by these medical orgonomists.
Announcements
ACO Clinical Case Presentation and Discussion Series: A Different Kind of Psychiatry
A new monthly series of patient case presentations by ACO faculty and clinical associates. Beginning in April 2020, the presentations are in the form of online webinars. Discussion will follow each presentation.
April 12, 2025, “Suicide Prevention: Relationships Matter.” Presented by Susan Marcel, D.O. with Chris Burritt, D.O.
March 8, 2025, “Emotional-Energetic Contact: Essential for Effective Treatment.” Presented by Howard Chavis, M.D., with Chris Burritt, D.O.
November 16, 2024, “Emotionally Connecting with your Amazing Baby during Pregnancy and Birth.” Presented by Theodota Chasapi, M.D., with Susan Marcel, D.O.
October 19, 2024, “The Salesman Who Needed to Cry.” Presented by Chris Burritt, D.O.., with Salvatore Iacobello, M.D.
March 9, 2024, “A Middle-Aged Woman Hides Her Emotions by Partying and Drinking.” Presented by Salvatore Iacobello, M.D., with Chris Burritt, D.O.
December 16, 2023, “A Troubled 74-Year-Old Man Finally Gets the Right Diagnosis.” Presented by Philip Heller, M.D., with Susan Marcel, D.O.
October 14, 2023, “Like Mother, Like Daughter.” Presented by Chris Burritt, D.O., with Edward Chastka, M.D.
September 16, 2023, “Beyond Tantrums: Connecting with a Troubled Three-Year-Old.” Presented by Alberto Foglia, M.D., with Chris Burritt, D.O.
July 15, 2023, “A Sexually Confused Young Man.” Presented by Edward Chastka, M.D., with Chris Burritt, D.O.
April 15, 2023, “A Single Encounter Had an Incredible Effect on a Teen-aged Boy” Presented by Jackie Bosworth, M.D., with Chris Burritt, D.O.
February 11, 2023, “A Young Woman Emerges from a Psychotic Abyss.” Presented by Salvatore Iacobello, M.D., with Chris Burritt, D.O.
For more information about these events or to make a reservation, please visit our website or call the ACO at (732) 821-1144.
Orgonomists in the Public Eye
June 25, 2025. “Functional Thinking in Clinical Practice.” Presentation by Howard Chavis, M.D., Intellectus Campus, Southern Africa.
April 9, 2025. “Emotional-Energetic Contact in Therapeutic Practice.” Presentation by Howard Chavis, M.D., Intellectus Campus, Southern Africa.
October 10, 2024. “Emotional-Energetic Contact: Essential for Effective Treatment.” Presentation by Howard Chavis, M.D., Group and Family Therapy Conference, Mt. Sinai Department of Psychiatry, N.Y.
March 21, 2024, “Social Orgonomy: Therapeutic Implications.” Presentation by Howard Chavis, M.D., Faculty Group and Family Therapy Conference, Mt. Sinai Department of Psychiatry, N.Y.
March 20, 2024, “Medical Orgone Therapy: An Introduction.” Presentation by Howard Chavis, M.D., Intellectus Campus, Zimbabwe, Africa.
January 18, 2024, “Social Orgonomy: The Emotional Plague.” Presentation by Howard Chavis, M.D., Faculty Group and Family Therapy Conference, Mt. Sinai Department of Psychiatry, N.Y.
September 28, 2023, “Medical Orgone Therapy.” Presentation by Howard Chavis, M.D., Faculty Psychotherapy Conference, Mt. Sinai Department of Psychiatry, N.Y.
Full-Day Laboratory Course
September 7, 2024, “Living Blood: The Reich Blood Test—A Laboratory Course in Orgonomic Biology.” With Edward Chastka, M.D.
Available to the Public
A Different Kind of Psychiatry Podcast Series. Started in 2019, a monthly series of podcasts by ACO faculty and clinical associates. Created and hosted by Chris Burritt, D.O. and other guest hosts.
June 17, 2025, “Suicide Prevention: Relationships Matter” with Susan Marcel, D.O.
April 4, 2025, “Emotional-Energetic Contact: Essential for Effective Treatment” with Howard Chavis, M.D.
January 29, 2025, “Emotionally Connecting with your Amazing Baby during Pregnancy and Birth” with Theodota Chasapi, M.D.
November 19, 2024, “The Salesman Who Needed to Cry” with Chris Burritt, D.O.
August 23, 2024, “Observations of Amazing Newborns: The Journal of Orgonomy Article” with Theodota Chasapi, M.D.
July 23, 2024, “Treatment of a Traumatized Five-Month-Old Child” with Alberto Foglia, M.D.
May 22, 2024, “Tourette’s Syndrome as a Symptom of Character: The Journal of Orgonomy Article” with Philip Heller, M.D.
April 15, 2024, “The Briefest Treatment I Ever Provided:The Journal of Orgonomy Article” with Theodota Chasapi, M.D.
March 7, 2024, “To Sleep, Perchance to Dream: A Conversation with Dr. Crist” with Peter A. Crist, M.D.
January 31, 2024, “When Yelling is Music: The Journal of Orgonomy Article” with Virginia Whitener, Ph.D.
December 26, 2023, “A 74-Year-Old-Man Finally Gets the Right Diagnosis” with Philip Heller, M.D.
December 7, 2023, “Like Mother, Like Daughter” with Chris Burritt, D.O.
November 8, 2023, “Problems of Childhood Self-Regulation in an Age of Permissiveness: The Journal of Orgonomy Article” with Peter A. Crist, M.D.
September 30, 2023, “Beyond Tantrums: Connecting with a Troubled Three-Year-Old” with Alberto Foglia, M.D.
August 2, 2023, “A Sexually Confused Young Man” with Edward Chastka, M.D.
July 2, 2023, “ADHD: A Discussion with Susan Marcel, D.O.,” with Susan Marcel, D.O.
June 2, 2023, “ACO Classic: Even a Marine Needs to Cry” with Dale Rosin, D.O.
April 2, 2023, “My Experience in Medical Orgone Therapy: David” with Chris Burritt, D.O.
March 1, 2023, “A Young Woman Emerges from a Psychotic Abyss” with Salvatore Iacobello, M.D.
To view our podcasts, visit www.adifferentkindofpsychiatry.blubrry.net.
Therapy Referral Service
The referral service provides qualified therapists for individuals seeking treatment. For more information contact the ACO by telephone, fax, or e-mail.
The ACO Reduced Fee Referral Service for Young People
The ACO is offering a referral service to provide affordable therapy for young people who do not otherwise have the financial means to pursue therapy. Prospective candidates will meet with a medical orgonomist to be evaluated for eligibility for referral. All medical orgonomists accepting patients as part of the referral service are trained by the American College of Orgonomy. Contact the ACO for more information.
Invitational Lectures, Seminars and Workshops
The ACO periodically presents lectures and seminars at its headquarters in Princeton as well as onsite at other locations. Individuals or organizations interested in having a presentation on a specific topic should contact Peter Crist, M.D. at the College.
Website
The ACO has an extensive website designed to introduce the science of orgonomy and the ACO to the world. A wide variety of articles selected from The Journal of Orgonomy are presented in their entirety including many case histories illustrating the theory and method of medical orgone therapy. Also available at this site is a news section and information about the ACO and its programs. The ACO website address is www.orgonomy.org.
Introductory Laboratory Workshop in Orgonomic Science
This two-day workshop is offered periodically. It is given so that interested individuals with or without scientific training can have the opportunity to observe orgonomic phenomena through hands-on use of the microscope and other laboratory apparatus. The educational approach includes demonstrations, lectures, and film. The workshop includes the microscopic study of bions, the natural organization of protozoa from grass, and an introduction to the Reich Blood Test. Atmospheric orgone is observed and measured thermically and electroscopically. The effects of the orgone energy accumulator are observed and its principles demonstrated. Orgonomic principles of weather formation and cosmology are elucidated.
The workshop is organized under the direction of Dee Apple, Ph.D. The teaching staff includes Drs. Dee Apple, Howard Chavis, and Peter Crist, Mr. Steven Dunlap, Dr. Welford Hamilton and Mr. Jack Sargent. The fee for the introductory course is $500. Application forms are available from the ACO.
The Advanced Laboratory Workshop in Orgonomic Science
This four-day advanced workshop allows the student to more thoroughly explore orgonomic biology and physics through direct experience and experiment. It is reserved for those with medical or other scientific training. This course is a prerequisite for certification by the American Board of Medical Orgonomy.
The workshop includes in-depth microscopic study of bions, the natural organization of protozoa from grass, the development of life from mass-free orgone energy, an introduction to the Reich Blood Test, and the study of blood and tissue of cancer mice. The atmospheric orgone is observed and measured thermically and electroscopically. The effects of the orgone energy accumulator are observed and its principles elucidated. Time is allowed for individual research projects which are presented in brief on the fourth day.
The workshop is organized under the direction of Dr. Peter Crist. The fee for the advanced course is $1,000. Application forms are available from the College.
Reich Blood Test
The Reich Blood Test for the evaluation of bioenergetic charge is available by physician request and is performed at the Elsworth F. Baker Oranur Research Laboratory in Princeton, NJ. For more information contact Howard Chavis, M.D. at the ACO.
College Subscription Sponsorship Program
The ACO accepts sponsorship from individuals interested in offering in-print issues of The Journal of Orgonomy (volume 11 to current) to an alma mater or university library. The cost is only $75. A subscription to The Journal of Orgonomy will then commence at the standard subscription rate. If you are interested in sharing advances in orgonomic science with others, please contact the ACO.
Available to Professionals
The American Board of Medical Orgonomy is an authoritative and responsible body of physicians whose primary function is the setting of standards and testing for qualification to practice orgonomic psychiatry and medicine. Board certification in medical orgonomy requires that candidates have graduate training in psychiatry, pass the specialty board examination in that discipline, undergo characterological and biophysical restructuring by a qualified medical orgonomist, receive at least three years of didactic, clinical, and laboratory instruction by qualified instructors in medical orgone therapy, and pass written and oral examinations in orgonomic theory and practice.
Training in Medical Orgonomy for Physicians
The ACO offers training in medical orgonomy to qualified physicians in the fundamentals of orgonomic medical science, clinical assessment of character structure, character analysis, and psychiatric orgone therapy. Training consists of personal character analytic and biophysical restructuring, laboratory workshops in orgone biology and biophysics, didactic and clinical seminars, and clinical case supervision. The program was originally designed and directed by Elsworth F. Baker, M.D., who was appointed by Dr. Reich in 1950. It is now under the direction of Charles Konia, M.D., Chairman of the Committee on Training and Education. Members of the Committee include Peter Crist, M.D. All interested applicants can request an application form from Charles Konia, M.D., Director of the Medical Orgonomy Training Program, at the ACO.
The seminars include:
• Didactic Training Seminar: This seminar, which meets eight times a year, is a prerequisite for individuals accepted into the training program. It is designed to provide an understanding of emotional illness and its treatment based upon character analytic and functional energetic theory and principles. The three-year course is under the direction of Dr. Peter Crist.
• Principles of Character Analytic Technique: A monthly continuing case seminar for physicians on the use of character analytic techniques, under the direction of Dr. Peter Crist.
• Orgone Therapy—Beginning Phases: A monthly seminar that focuses on diagnosis based upon character analytic and orgonomic theory, under the direction of Dr. Charles Konia.
• The Elsworth F. Baker Advanced Technical Seminar: A monthly seminar that focuses on case management and medical orgone therapy technique, under the direction of Dr. Charles Konia.
Social Orgonomy Training Program
The Social Orgonomy Training Program of the American College of Orgonomy offers training in the application of orgonomic principles within the social realm.
We accept application from candidates in two categories:
1. Social orgonomy therapists are individuals engaged in clinically oriented work in fields that address interpersonal dynamics and problems within social structures including work with individuals, families, and work organizations. The requirements for training in this category include characterological restructuring with an approved medical orgonomist on the training faculty, completion of or active enrollment in an advanced degree program in an appropriate field of social intervention such as psychology, social work, nursing, marital and family therapy, or organizational development.
2. Other individuals who are not engaged in providing therapy but may apply the knowledge of social orgonomy in a wide range of fields such as those who work as teachers, administrators, politicians, writers, businessmen, attorneys, managers, etc. The requirements for training in this category include characterological restructuring with an approved medical orgonomist and at a minimum a bachelor’s degree.
The curriculum focuses on the application of bioenergetic principles to interactions in the social realm and begins with the Didactic Training Seminar. This is followed by an advanced social orgonomy didactic seminar, ongoing case seminars, and individual supervision.
Following recommendation by the candidate’s therapist, the process of enrollment begins with a written application, which is provided by the ACO upon request. This is followed by a personal interview with the Social Orgonomy Training Subcommittee and ACO Training Committee who together approve candidates for training.
Contributing Authors
Baukhage, Carl Wilhelm, M.D. Pediatrician, Munich, Germany.
Burritt, Christopher, D.O. Medical Orgonomist, West Chester, PA. Diplomate in Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Diplomate in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Chasapi, Theodota, M.D. Medical Orgonomist, Thessaloniki, Greece. Diplomate in Neurology and Psychiatry, Greek Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Foglia, Alberto, M.D. Medical Orgonomist, Lugano, Switzerland. Diplomate in Psychiatry, Swiss Board of Psychiatry. Diplomate, American Board of Medical Orgonomy.
Helstein, Toni, Ed.D. Counselor and Consultant, Ashland, Oregon.
Marcel, Susan P., D.O. Medical Orgonomist, Philadelphia, PA. Diplomate in Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Packer, Alexis, Esq. Attorney at Law and business owner, Ashland, Oregon.
Stiers, Aleta, M.S. Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist in Southern Oregon.
Whitener, Virginia L., Ph.D. Psychologist, Ashland, Oregon.
if only there was an "Orgonomic Party" instead of the usual Republican or Democrat, governing from principles of health to resolve social., economic, legal, and other ills. I think we would all vote for that. A long way off unfortunately..