January 19, 2007

ANALYZALOT with Alyce
Faye Cleese

Legendary funnyman John Cleese and his wife, noted psychotherapist and author Alyce Faye Cleese, were honored for their work in improving the human condition through therapy and comic relief at the annual MGH Endowment for the Advancement of Psychotherapy gala event. This year's dinner, entitled ANALYZALOT, was held Dec. 3 at the InterContinental Hotel in Boston and was attended by more than 400 guests. Actor/comedian John Cleese, best known for his work in Monty Python's "Flying Circus," was unable to attend.

Cleese, left, with Alonso

Anne Alonso, PhD, founder of the Endowment, presented the awards to Alyce Faye Cleese, who accepted the honor on their behalf. A silent auction and dinner kicked off the evening. Local entertainer Billy Costa was on hand to host the live auction, which included prizes such as a guitar signed by James Taylor and an original caricature of John Cleese by Boston Globe cartoonist Paul Szep. The event raised more than $200,000 for the Endowment. The Endowment for the Advancement of Psychotherapy, based in the MGH's Department of Psychiatry, was founded in 2000 to provide additional support for training clinicians, fund research in the field of dynamic treatment and educate the public about the benefits of psychotherapy.