2007 Pre-Conference Workshops

Ten pre-conference workshops will be offered. Courses A-D will be offered simultaneously, commencing at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, October 10. Courses F-J will be offered simultaneously, commencing at 8:30 AM on Thursday, October 11. Click on a workshop title to learn more:

A. Eloquence in the Non-Verbal Realm: A Comparison of the Use of Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication in Child and Adult Treatment
B. The Parenting Process
C. Between the 'Doer and the Done-to' and the 'Context Made Me Do It': A Comparison of Relational Psychoanalysis and Intersubjective Systems Theory
D. Self Psychology and Relational Theory
F. Group Therapy
G. The Relevance of Heidegger's Existential Analytic for Psychoanalysis
H. Creativity, Art, and Self Psychology
I. Applying Infant Research, Neuroscience, and Attachment Theory to Couples Therapy
J. Forms and Transformations of Monogamy, Intimacy, and Sexuality

A. Eloquence in the Non-Verbal Realm: A Comparison of the Use of Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication in Child and Adult Treatment

Please note: This workshop has been changed since previous announcements.
Pre-Conference Workshop Session

Co-Leaders:
Jacqueline Gotthold PsyD; Rosalind Chaplin Kindler, MFA; and Dorienne Sorter, PhD

Description:
This Pre-Conference Panel will focus on the contributions of child analytic treatment to the development of self psychological theory and adult treatment. Contemporary clinical theory now includes a consideration of the dyadic, interactively regulated, bidirectional nature of the therapeutic encounter, as well as an acceptance of both implicit and explicit modes of communication. These ideas enhance the valuable traditional self psychological theories which inform treatment. The clinical experience with children with its emphasis on metaphor, non-verbal expression, as well as development, relational and transference/countertransference perspectives, highlights self psychology concepts in the most experience-near way.

B. The Parenting Process

Pre-Conference Workshop Session

Leader:
Eileen Paris, PhD

Description:
This Pre-Conference Workshop provides a way to educate parents that nourishes their capacity to live in empathic connectedness with their children. Should we as analysts and therapists begin to consider parent education as part of an analytic treatment? In this workshop we will have an experience together as it is offered to parents in an interactive/educational workshop format. In addition, we will consider novel ways this material can be used by therapists including the if's, when's, and how's. I believe as clinicians we have an educational mission as well as a therapeutic one. Children who recognize and express their own feelings and have empathy for others will grow into adults who are not torn between their need for intimacy and for independence. These children will be better prepared to meet the emotional demands of the future and to nurture the life of our planet.

C. Between the 'Doer and the Done-to' and the 'Context Made Me Do It': A Comparison of Relational Psychoanalysis and Intersubjective Systems Theory

Pre-Conference Workshop Session

Leader:
Philip A. Ringstrom, PhD, PsyD

Discussants:
Hazel R. Ipp, PhD and Lynne Jacobs, PhD, PsyD

Description:
This Pre-Conference Workshop explores areas of overlap as well as important areas of difference between the two perspectives. Its overall framework builds upon the intersubjectivist's critique of the relationalist's retention of traditional psychoanalytic language that is saturated with "Cartesian-isolated mind" constructs. (Although their critique spans a decade and a half, it reaches its apex in Chapter Five of their 2002 volume: Worlds of Experience. . ..)

Using the intersubjectivist's topical outline of criticisms from that chapter, I will explore several daunting problems that arise in two perspectives differing levels of discourse. For example, I will illuminate their differences regarding the importance of separating the explanatory level of theory from the phenomenological level it accounts for (the intersubjectivist's position) versus the problems that arise from too rigid an adherence to such separation (the relationalist's position). Given their differing levels of abstraction in language use, I will then take up the assets and liabilities of each position's perspective as they relate to a host of clinical issues. As just one example, I will examine the costs and benefits of defining intersubjectivity as a field theory (the intersubjectivist's position) versus those of defining it in terms of the attainment of mutual recognition (the relationist's position).

Recognizing that the two perspectives are "married" through the same epistemology, i.e. "perspectival realism" I will approach my investigation of both perspectives use of this epistemology from a stance somewhat analogous to that of a conjoint therapist, i.e. attempting to clarify how the two perspectives address differently "how to raise the kids!" Obviously, by analogy, I mean how each one approaches treating patients. I will then underscore how each perspective has something important to contribute depending on their orientation to a variety of concerns in contemporary psychoanalytic treatment.

I will conclude the session with identifying how both perspectives are critical to my interests in clinical model building: a) cultivating improvisation in psychoanalytic treatment and b) developing an intersubjective/relational model of conjoint therapy.

D. Self Psychology and Relational Theory

Pre-Conference Workshop Session

Co-Leaders:
Judith Pickles, PhD, PsyD and Estelle Shane, PhD

Discussant:
James Fosshage, PhD

Description:
Our experience in teaching several courses that encompass clinical concepts drawn from both self psychology and relational theory leads us to emphasize the potential value to be found in the bridging of alternative formulations from these two broad perspectives. We would like to present a set of ideas informed by our teaching that we have found generative. The inevitable biases and absences found in any one theory, including self psychology, and the seemingly endless variety of good ideas available in other, alternative models, such as relational theory, invites us to attempt to bring together ideas that carry appeal for us, perhaps because they promise to fill in disturbing gaps, or because they balance out the tendency to veer in a single direction or to focus on a single emphasis, or, finally, because a particular concept or way of thinking opens for us an entirely new phenomenological arena.

We will concentrate on three very broad areas of conceptualization introduced by relational theory that either address phenomena embedded within self psychology in a different way, or are differently understood, or are absent from self psychology entirely. Simply stated, these areas include:

1. Mutual Recognition
2. Multiple Selves/Dissociation/Enactment/Conflict
3. Thirdness

F. Group Therapy

Pre-Conference Workshop Session

Co-Leaders:
Rosemary A. Segalla, PhD; Gil Spielberg, PhD; and Walter N. Stone, MD

Description:
In this time of paradigm shift in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic treatment, group and couples therapy present a significant challenge to the therapist. Because the work, with a multiplicity of subjectivities, adds considerable complexity, the analyst/therapist may unwittingly avoid viewing them as important treatment modalities. By attending to the affective level in the intersubjective system of therapist, couple or group, we can work productively in these modalities. And, by recognizing the philosophical and historical roots of the intersubjective perspective, the therapist is aided in understanding the scope of her embeddedness and the ongoing influence of every aspect of those involved. This includes the cultural, developmental, attachment and gender issues as well as the internal worlds of each participant. It is useful to consider that it is in the affective engagement of each modality that these issues emerge and become available to all participants.

This paper examines group development from the perspective of self psychology. Members' search for particular selfobject responsiveness may be prominent in the various phases. In the first phase patients needs for safety and understanding is "managed" by merging with the therapist as an idealized selfobject. In the second phase members look for mirroring selfobject functions to their assertive/aggressive self expression. In the third phase members continue to have periods when idealizing and mirroring selfobject responsiveness assist them in maintaining inner balance, as well as continuing ability to gain skills from alter-ego selfobject experiences.

Termination involves members' ability to manage the narcissistic pain of loss and separation, utilizing their inner consolidation and the continuing selfobject experiences to stabilize themselves as they experience loss associated with leaving the group and the real relationships they have developed. Sense of the multiple selfobject experiences. Across phases members gradually internalize the values and norms of the group, which become part of the groupself. Thus the group is in the self as the self is in the group. In each phase the leader's therapeutic and countertransference responses are examined.

At the conclusion of this workshop the participant will be able to appreciate group development from a primarily self-psychological point of view and distinguish this viewpoint from previous schemas of group development.

G. The Relevance of Heidegger's Existential Analytic for Psychoanalysis

Pre-Conference Workshop Session

Co-Leaders:
Donna Orange, PhD, PsyD and Robert D. Stolorow, PhD

Description:
Participants in this workshop will discuss two articles by Stolorow and one by Orange that illustrate the relevance of Heidegger's existential analytic for contemporary psychoanalytic theory and practice.

Participants will gain an understanding of the relevance of Heidegger's existential analytic for contemporary psychoanalytic theory and practice.

H. Creativity, Art, and Self Psychology

Pre-Conference Workshop Session

Co-Leaders:
George Hagman, LCSW and Carol Press, EdD

With:
Leslie Hogan, DMA; Philip A. Ringstrom, PhD, PsyD; David Shaddock, PhD, MFT; and Karen Schwartz, PhD

Description:
This workshop will explore the dynamics of portraiture as a creative form of intersubjective process and art. The relationship between the subjectivity of the artist, subject and artwork will be highlighted. In particular the workshop will explore how the artist is able to achieve the creative exploration of other subjectivities by means of the artistic medium as a modality of empathy. Experiential exercises will be used to stimulate ideas about the relation between empathy and portraiture. The clinical application of the creative process in portraiture will be stressed.

Participants will deepen their understanding of empathy through creative expression and the dynamics of portraiture.

I. Applying Infant Research, Neuroscience, and Attachment Theory to Couples Therapy

Pre-Conference Workshop Session

Co-Leaders:
David Shaddock, PhD and Marion F. Solomon, PhD

Description:
Dr. Solomon's presentation will begin with a slide-based overview of the brain, emphasizing the central role of affect and right brain processing. The common problematic attachment patterns (avoidant, ambivalent, disorganized) which underlie relational difficulties will be explored. In her presentation, she will illustrate how the couples therapist can become better attuned to partners' presenting problems and how each partner's core attachment yearnings can be clarified in the work. She will show how right-brain emotional response and left-brain cognitive function can be used to help partners better understand their own and the other's actions within the therapy session as well as how the therapist can assist each partner to reframe the other's motivations when painful affect is triggered. Finally, she will discuss the ways in which new developments in attachment research demonstrate that early attachment trauma can be healed by secure attachment experience in adult life.

Dr. Shaddock's presentation will emphasize the systemic nature of human experience. Personal experience emerges from an ongoing dynamic system that includes brain, mind, and relationship. He will present the work of such researchers as Gerald Edelman, Esther Thalen and Linda Smith to show the systemic nature of neural processing and brain development. Infant research, in particular the work of Beebe and Lachman and Daniel Stern, will illustrate the ongoing dynamic between mental life and relationship experience. The theory of intersubjective systems that Dr. Shaddock will present offers the clinician a way of understanding the interplay of each partner's individual history and the ongoing relationship dynamic. And, most importantly, it shows how intervention at any level in the system--affective, cognitive, behavioral--can influence all the other levels, including each partner's unconscious organizing patterns. His case presentation will emphasize helping partners to access and understand the procedural memories that are triggered by nonverbal interactions. This, in turn, fosters renewed empathy and mobilizes defensively walled-off selfobject yearnings.

At the end of this course participants will understand the central role affect and relational experience play in human life and to apply this understanding to couples treatment.

J. Forms and Transformations of Monogamy, Intimacy, and Sexuality

Pre-Conference Workshop Session

Chair:
Alan Kindler, MBBS, FRCPC

Co-Leaders:
Rosalind Chaplin Kindler, MFA; Katherine Frank, PhD; and Joseph D. Lichtenberg, MD

Description:
Participants in this workshop will be informed about a variety of alternative relationship styles and sexual practices engaged in by couples, along with some therapeutic and relational issues that can emerge. ÊThis will facilitate their clinical work with such clients by increasing their awareness of these phenomena in the community and by suggesting a self psychological approach to the understanding of monogamy, intimacy, and sexuality.

Clinical examples of men who stabilize monogamous marital relationships through extramarital associations with women in strip clubs will be presented and discussed.

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