Dr. Harold Balikov, a gentle man, died on May 21, 1998.
Harold Balikov, M. D. was born in Chicago in 1918. Graduating from the University of Illinois Medical School in 1943, he interned at Mt. Sinai, then served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1946. He returned to a psychiatric residency at Elgin State Hospital, and completed his child fellowship at the Institute for Juvenile Research in 1949. He was certified in both child and adult psychiatry and became, himself, a Board Examiner. In 1959, he graduated from the training programs at our Chicago Institute — he received Child Analysis Certificate number 23. He remained active on the Institute and CAPT faculties and was a pioneer in child analysis.
Dr. Balikov and Rebecca Cohen wrote a classic paper, “On The Impact of Adolescence Upon Parents,” in which they discuss the narcissistic struggles of parents dealing with the loss of their own idealized parental selves. There is no better description of the parental struggle with helplessness and its impact on adolescents in this developmental phase. The foundation of Dr. Balikov’s firm clinical understanding was based on his knowledge of development and the early relationships of children and parents. He championed the recognition of attempts at healthy adaptation in both parent and child. Never critical of parents, he saw them, too, as having once been children. Consulting for many years at the Orthogenic School, which benefited greatly from his presence, he honed his understanding and ability to work with severely regressed patients of all ages.
Dr. Balikov’s consistent capacity to empathize with his child patients and their parents, and to connect with the unconscious dynamic processes involved was awe inspiring.
Harold was the kindest and most understanding man, colleague, and friend that many of us have ever known.
Upon his death, his family established at the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis THE HAROLD BALIKOV FUND, a fund restricted to use for analytic work with children. Interest accrued is returned to the fund. Its use is determined by the unanimous decision of a group of child analysts and the Director of the Institute. Uses include the subsidy of children’s analytic treatment and the distribution of important child mental health information to the community.
All contributions are fully tax-deductible. No contribution is too small.
You can contribute to THE HAROLD BALIKOV FUND by mailing your designated contributions in care of the Institute for Psychoanalysis at 122 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60603.
You can also make donations and be put on a mailing list by going to the Institute for Psychoanalysis website.