Upcoming Events
8:00-9:30pm
Fundamental Principles of Child Analytic Therapy
Stephen Prior, Psy.D.
Child therapy grew out of psychoanalysis, but at the same time has contributed greatly to the growth and development of analytic theory and practice. Dr. Prior will attempt to reveal a number of things about this dual relationship, but will focus on trying to illuminate the assumptions, attitudes, and philosophical beliefs that are the foundation of psychodynamic therapy with children. He will touch on the nature of dynamic therapy with children and its goals, trauma and neglect, the tragedies of ordinary life, and developmental issues. There will be a discussion period after Dr. Prior's remarks.
Stephen Prior, Psy.D. is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis and on the faculty there. He was for seven years the Director of Training in Psychology at the Gaebler Childrens Center, a state facility for the most disturbed children. He is the author of the book, Object Relations in Severe Trauma: Psychotherapy of the Sexually Abused Child, (1996). He maintains a private practice for adults and children in Wellesley. Among his current interests are analytic technique, the history of psychoanalysis, and analysis debt to philosophy.
Place: The Learning Center, located on the 3rd floor of the Ambulatory Building at the Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge Street in Cambridge
March 3, 10, and 17, 2009
7:00-9:30pm
Continuing Challenges in How We Use Our Theories
The ongoing struggle to listen
Evelyne A Schwaber, M.D.
The legendary Yankee ballplayer and philosopher, Yogi Berra, once said, "In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is."
However amusing or seemingly self-evident, this is a statement still to ponder, reminding us that theory, by itself, neither determines nor defines how it is practiced. At its best, theory may broaden our perceptual scope, enabling us to see and hear phenomena we hadn't before, to organize them in new ways, perhaps to move our perspective in otherwise unnoted directions. But however enlarged or altered our terrain, it does not yet tell us how the theory we employ translates into practice. The question remains, how do we use our theory? Whether we choose to interpret, confront, ask, mirror, stay quiet, is it to deepen our capacity for discovery, or might it foreclose our inquiry? Does our theory bring us closer to finding the innermost feelings of another, tolerating our sense of vulnerability in doing so, or do we use it, rather - however unwittingly - to keep at distance (e.g., 'the patient put those feelings into me;' 'the patient is in the grip of an unconscious fantasy')? How, in our clinical listening, might we discover this distinction?
In this workshop series, we'll review our understanding and use of some of our basic clinical theories, such as transference, countertransference (including the concept of projective identification), empathy, resistance, defense, free association, unconscious fantasy, and more – whatever may be our broader models of the mind (relational, intersubjectivity, self psychology, ego psychology, Kleinian, or others). Drawing on readings as well as participants' clinical presentations, the underlying focus will seek to highlight our ongoing struggle to listen, and to consider thereby, the nature of therapeutic action.
Please contact Dr. Schwaber (617-232-3088) if you wish to present clinical material consisting of process notes from a single session.
This seminar will be limited to 12 participants.
When enrolling, please indicate if you are a student, trainee or candidate in psychoanalytic training. To enroll, please email Liz Martin at reachmip@gmail.com.
Suggested readings:
Schwaber, E.A.(1992). Countertransference: the analystʼs retreat from the patientʼs vantage point. Int. J. Psychoanal., 73: 349-362.
____ (2005). The struggle to listen: continuing reflections, lingering paradoxes, and some thoughts on recovery of memory. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 53: 789-810. 2005.
Also in: Contemporary Psychoanalysis in America: Leading Analysts Present their Work. ed., A. M. Cooper. Wash., DC; American Psychiatric Press. Pp.563-587. 2005.
____ (2005). Letter to Editor in response to "Projective identification and consciousness alteration," by C. Cimino & A Correale. Int. J. Psychoanal., 86:900-901.
Evelyne A Schwaber, M.D.
Training and Supervising Analyst, Psychoanalytic Institute of New England, East; Faculty, Boston Psychoanalytic Institute; Guest Faculty, Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis
Place: 110 Francis St. (near Deaconess Hosp.) first floor, suite 1A. (parking garage available for fee, and some street parking.)
8:00-9:30pm
What Do Patients Do With Their Religious and Spiritual Life?
Ana-Maria Rizzuto, M.D.
Place: The Learning Center, located on the 3rd floor of the Ambulatory Building at the Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge Street in Cambridge
8:00-9:30pm
Dr. Elvin Semrad’s Principles for Diagnostic Interviews and Psychotherapy
Dan Buie, M.D.
Place: The Learning Center, located on the 3rd floor of the Ambulatory Building at the Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge Street in Cambridge
For directions to Cambridge Hospital, please click on the link or copy and paste link: http://www.challiance.org/locations/direction_cam_hospital.shtml Parking in the Cambridge Hospital garage is approx. $5.00.