404: Technique V: Comparative Psychoanalytic Theory and Technique

Course Description

Instructors

Jean Roiphe, M.D.
Adam Libow, M.D.

December 6, 2023 – March 20, 2024
Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:25 pm  

PLEASE NOTE 2 SATURDAY DATES OF 1/27 & 2/3

No class: 12/20, 12/27, 2/7

Co-requisites

Candidates must have or have had at least two cases in supervised psychoanalysis to be eligible for upper level courses.

Course Description

This course will consider the implications for technique of different theoretical models of psychoanalysis. We will invite analysts who practice using different theoretical models—Ego Psychology, Contemporary Kleinian, Relational Psychoanalysis, and Self Psychology—to address the same clinical material of an ongoing psychoanalysis. Through doing so, we will try to understand the similarities and differences in their approaches to psychoanalytic listening and technique. Candidates are expected to have a basic familiarity with these different theoretical models as a pre-requisite for this course. Third and Fourth Year students combined. Course usually alternates with 301.

Educational Objectives

After attending this course, participants should be able to:
1. formulate the technical implications of varying theoretical schools of psychoanalysis.
2. critically evaluate the ways a theoretical position influences–or fails to influence–a clinician’s technical approach to listening to clinical material and conducting an analysis.

Evaluation Method

Each student’s participation in class discussion and his or her demonstration of understanding of the course objectives and reading material is assessed in a written evaluation by the instructor(s).

Schedule of Classes & Course Readings

These articles are protected under relevant copyright regulations. They are available in the New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute Electronic Reserve for your convenience, and for your personal use.

READINGS ARE CONFIRMED.

I. Some important epistemological and methodological considerations as we as we attempt to compare different theories and their implications for technique

CLASS 1: December 6, 2023
REQUIRED READINGS

Smith, H.F. (2003). Can we Integrate the Diverse Theories and Practices of Psychoanalysis? JAPA, 51S:127-144

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Sandler, J. (1983). Reflections on Some Relations Between Psychoanalytic Concepts and Psychoanalytic Practice. IJP, 64:35-45

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II. What is Psychoanalytic Process? And (how) do different theoretical and technical approaches change how it is conceptualized?

CLASS 2: December 13, 2023
REQUIRED READINGS

Abend, S.M. (1990). The Psychoanalytic Process: Motives and Obstacles in the Search for Clarification. Psychoanal. Q., 59:532-549.

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Ornstein, P.H. (2004). The Elusive Concept of the Psychoanalytic Process. JAPA 52:15-41.

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Rudden, M.G. and Bronstein, A. (2015). Transference, Relationship and the Analyst as Object: Findings from the North American Comparative Clinical Methods Working Party. Int. J. Psycho-Anal., 96(3):681-703. [Read pp.702-703]

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III. What we will be listening for: considering technical implications of different theories

CLASS 3: January 3, 2024
REQUIRED READINGS

Kernberg, O.F. (2001). Recent Developments in the Technical Approaches of English-Language Psychoanalytic Schools. Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 70:519-547

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Cooper, A.M. (1989). Concepts of Therapeutic Effectiveness in Psychoanalysis: A Historical Review. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 9:4-25

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IV. Ego Psychology

CLASS 4: January 10, 2024

Discussant: Eric Marcus, M.D.

REQUIRED READINGS FOR EGO PSYCHOLOGY MODEL

Abend, S.M. (2005). Analyzing Intrapsychic Conflict. Psychoanal. Q., 74:5-25

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Marcus, E.R. (1999). Modern Ego Psychology. JAPA., 47(3):843-871

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V. Ego Psychology Cont.

CLASS 5: January 17, 2024

Discussant: Eric Marcus, M.D.

VI. Contemporary Kleinian

CLASS 6: January 27, 2024   (PLS NOTE THIS IS A SATURDAY– CLASS HELD FROM 11 AM – 12:30 PM)

Discussant: Michael Feldman, M.D.

REQUIRED READINGS FOR CONTEMPORARY KLEINIAN MODEL

Joseph, B. (1985). Transference: The Total Situation. IJP, 66:447-454

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Spillius, E.B. (1992). Clinical Experiences of Projective Identification. New Lib. of Psycho-Anal., 14:59-73

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SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS

Joseph, B. (2013). Here and Now: My Perspective. Int. J. Psycho-Anal., 94(1):1-5.

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VII. Contemporary Kleinian Cont.

CLASS 7: February 3, 2024  (PLS NOTE THIS IS A SATURDAY– CLASS HELD FROM 11 AM – 12:30 PM)

Discussant: Michael Feldman, M.D.

VIII. Discussion: Comparing and Contrasting the Two Models

CLASS 8: February 14, 2024


IX. Self Psychology

CLASS 9: February 21, 2024

Discussant: Sharone Ornstein, M.D.

REQUIRED READINGS FOR SELF PSYCHOLOGY MODEL

Ornstein, P.H. and Ornstein, A. (2003). The Function of Theory in Psychoanalysis. Psychoanal. Q., 72:157-182

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Halpern, J. and Ornstein, S. (2018). Self-Experience within Intersubjectivity: Two Clinicians’ Use of Self Psychology. In: Introduction to Contemporary Psychoanalysis: Defining Terms and Building Bridges, ed. Marilyn Charles, Ph.D., Routledge, pp. 165-190.

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X. Self Psychology Cont.

CLASS 10: February 28, 2024

Discussant: Sharone Ornstein, M.D.

XI. Relational Psychoanalysis

CLASS 11: March 6, 2024

Discussant: Donnel Stern, Ph.D.

REQUIRED READINGS

Stern, D. (in press). Interpretation: Voice of the Field. Journal of the American Psychoananalytic Association.

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Bromberg, P. M. (2012). Stumbling Along and Hanging In: If This Be Technique, Make the Most of It!. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 32:3-17.

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SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS

Levenson, E. A. (1988). The Pursuit of the Particular—On the Psychoanalytic Inquiry. Contemporary Psychoanalysis, 24:1-16.

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Tublin, S. (2011). Discipline and Freedom in Relational Technique. Contemp. Psychoanal., 47:519-546

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XII. Relational Psychoanalysis Cont.

CLASS 12: March 13, 2024

Discussant: Donnel Stern, Ph.D.

XIII: Discussion: Comparing and Contrasting the Four Models

CLASS 13: March 20, 2024