Ellie Ragland, PhD, a renowned psychoanalyst and educator, has been honored by Marquis Who’s Who. This recognition acknowledges her noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in the fields of psychoanalysis and French literature.
Pioneering Psychoanalytic Theory and Practice
Dr. Ragland is an established psychoanalyst who has been working in private practice since 2009. Her academic career spans more than four decades, during which time she has made significant contributions to the field of psychoanalysis. She was also the first person in the anglophone world to grasp the complex psychoanalytic teachings of Jacques Lacan, thanks to her fluency in French, which allowed her to read Lacan’s works directly.
Dr. Ragland’s book, “Jacques Lacan and the Philosophy of Psychoanalysis,” was published in 1986. This book was the first anglophone text to elucidate Lacan’s challenging theories and was particularly focused on his later use of mathematical topology to explain the human psyche.
A prominent academic described her as having “accomplishments in the adventure of psychoanalysis in the Western world” that have set a high bar for others in the field. Dr. Ragland’s collaboration with Jacques-Alain Miller, Lacan’s son-in-law, has been pivotal. Their work has clarified difficult teaching methods that are transforming the psychoanalytic profession in the United States.
Acclaimed Author and Educator
Dr. Ragland has written ten books and countless articles and delivered more than 200 lectures globally. Her works continue to influence scholarly discourse on gender and sexuality and explore the role of linguistics and mathematical topology in Lacan’s teachings.
For her dedication to her field, Dr. Ragland has earned numerous accolades. These include the Gradiva Prize for the advancement of psychoanalysis in the United States and the Gold Chalk Medal from the University of Missouri for excellence in teaching.
Throughout her career, Dr. Ragland has held prestigious positions at various universities. These include the University of Illinois in Chicago, the University of Florida, and the University of Missouri, where she served as chair of the English department. Her academic accomplishments are rooted in her educational background. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in French literature and comparative literature from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Ragland’s devotion to reshaping psychoanalysis in the U.S. continues as she works on a new book that critiques the DSM system. She argues that it often leads to oversimplified prescriptions instead of meaningful conversations about individuals’ stories and lives. Her insights aim to contribute to a broader movement that seeks to change how psychological “disorders” are understood and treated within the American health care system. Lacan worked, rather, with structures such as the discourse of hysteria, whose logic Dr. Ragland explains.
Dr. Ragland’s work addresses systemic issues within the mental health profession and emphasizes the importance of interpersonal communication between practitioners and patients. She believes this practice has been overshadowed by a reliance on neurological and pharmacological treatments. With a commitment to psychoanalysis and education, she continues to inspire both her students and colleagues, making way for future generations in the field.
