the training and research institute for self psychology

TRISP 2002-2003
Friday Evening Workshops:
Down to Basics

Seven exciting presentations by members of the TRISP faculty demonstrate the therapeutic advantages of self psychology and the theory of intersubjectivity.

Friday Evenings from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at
TRISP, 17 East 96th Street, Suite 1A,
(between Fifth and Madison Avenue),
New York City

For more information, call 212-828-1042 or email: trispnyc@msn.com

Friday Evening Workshops: DOWN TO BASICS

1. October 4, 2002. Introduction to Self Psychology and Intersubjectivity
    Peter B. Zimmermann, Ph.D.

In this workshop Dr. Zimmermann provides a comprehensive overview of self psychology and intersubjective theory, and high-lights the therapeutic advantages that result from this approach. This workshop will serve as the framework for the following six consecutive workshops, which will explore basic self-psychological and intersubjective concepts in depth.

2. November 15, 2002. The "Nuts and Bolts" of Empathy: A Workshop
    Doris Brothers, Ph.D.

What makes empathy central to the practice of self psychology and intersubjectivity? What is the difference between "prolonged empathic immersion" and "sustained empathic inquiry"? Is empathy solely the therapist’s job or is it part of a therapeutic dance? Can empathy be nonverbal? Dr. Brothers not only invites participants to discuss these questions and many more, she illustrates her understanding with examples from her practice. Participants are also encouraged to explore empathy in their own work with patients.

3. December 6, 2002. Dream Work: Perspectives From Self and Intersubjective Psychologies
    Patricia Simko, Ph.D., J.D.

Intriguing and mystifying, dreams have always been of particular interest to the psychoanalyst. Dream work remains one of the most important and reliable ways to contact the deeper realms of experience. Sadly, many clinicians undervalue dream analysis and fail to take advantage of this rewarding exercise, both in their personal and professional lives. Self psychology and intersubjectivity theory offer new and important theoretical perspectives on the dream.

4. January 24, 2003. The Selfobject Transference
    Aviva Rohde, Ph.D.

The selfobject transference is the cornerstone of Kohut’s self psychology and self-psychological treatment. It is the unifying theme in the patient’s relationship with the analyst, the expression of the developmental yearning toward selfhood, the pathway to cure, and what distinguishes self psychology from other analytic orientations. In this workshop we will define the selfobject transference and discuss – using clinical examples – the primary selfobject themes developed by Kohut. We will also examine the ways a self-psychological understanding of the transference differs from others and provides new opportunities for growth and development.

5. February 21, 2003. The Intersubjective Field in the Therapeutic Setting:
    A Personal Journey Betwixt and Between Self Psychology and Intersubjectivity
    Richard B. Ulman, Ph.D.

The intersubjective field is a psychic space co-created by the unconscious interaction of the differently organized subjectivities of patient and analyst. This concept, which is central to many of the self-psychologically oriented theories of intersubjectivity, emerged from and expanded Kohut’s original idea of the self-selfobject matrix. The intersubjective field is both a theoretical lens through which to understand and interpret psychoanalytic case material as well as a therapeutic medium for cure within the context of a self-psychological therapy. In his presentation, Dr. Ulman offers a number of illustrative examples from his own work. He also explains his notion of the "transference-countertransference neurosis" as it structures analytic therapy between patient and therapist.

6. March 14, 2003. When Making a "Mistake" is a Good Thing:
    Empathic Failures and Their Role in Treatment
    Harry Paul, Ph.D.

Through the presentation of representative clinical cases, Dr. Paul will examine Kohut’s ideas regarding the critical role of empathic failures in treatment. Dr. Paul will demonstrate how these empathic rifts are an unavoidable and necessary part of the treatment process. He will also discuss the working through of these "moments" and how these sometimes painful experiences for both patient and analyst can lead to a steadier and firmer sense of self for both patient and analyst. The workshop will highlight examples of empathic failures with patients exhibiting both mirroring and idealizing selfobject transferences.

7. April 11, 2003. How Does Analysis Cure?
    Marty Livingston, Ph.D.

What leads to growth in psychotherapy? Even within self psychology several different models have been proposed to understand this key question. This workshop will clarify and contrast the development of these approaches beginning with Kohut’s views on "optimal frustration" and "transmuting internalization," through an intersubjective perspective on the centrality of affect and the importance of organizing principles, and more recent work on the concept of "optimal responsiveness." These complex ideas and the instructor’s own stress on vulnerability in the therapeutic process, will be explained in clear, understandable language.

PRESENTERS

Doris Brothers, Ph.D. Member, Board of Trustees; training and supervising analyst, senior faculty member, TRISP; author, Falling Backwards: An Exploration of Trust and Self Experience, (Norton, 1995); co-author, The Shattered Self: A Psychoanalytic Study of Trauma (The Analytic Press, 1988) private practice, New York City.

Marty Livingston, Ph.D. is a senior faculty member at TRISP as well as the Director of the Group Therapy Department at the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health. He is the author of Vulnerable Moments: Deepening the Therapeutic Process (Jason Aronson, 2001) and the editor of GROUP; private practice, New York City.

Harry Paul, Ph.D. Member, Board of Trustees; training and supervising analyst, senior faculty member, TRISP; author and co-author of papers and presentations on self psychology, intersubjectivity, and addiction; co-author Narcissus in Wonderland: A Self Psychological Study and Approach to Treating Addiction, (Brunner-Routledge, forthcoming); private practice, New York and Chappaqua, NY.

Aviva Rohde, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst in private practice in New York City. She is on the faculty of TRISP.

Patricia Simko, Ph.D., J.D. Senior faculty member, TRISP; core faculty member, The New School University; author, Webdreams, forthcoming; private practice, New York City.

Richard B. Ulman, Ph.D. Member, Board of Trustees;, training and supervising analyst, and senior faculty member, TRISP. Co-author of numerous books and articles, including The Shattered Self: A Psychoanalytic Study of Trauma (The Analytic Press, 1988) and Narcissus in Wonderland: A Self Psychological Study and Approach to Treating Addiction (Brunner-Routledge, forthcoming); private practice, New York City and Croton-on-Hudson, NY.

Peter B. Zimmermann, Ph.D. Member, Board of Trustees; training and supervising analyst, senior faculty member, TRISP; training and supervising analyst, senior faculty member, NPAP; author and co-author of presentations and publications on select topics in self psychology and intersubjectivity, including the self psychology of despair; private practice, New York City.

 

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