The Dissociation of Childhood Abuse as the Antecedent of the Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma: A Fairbairnian Analysis
Interactive Seminar with Dr. David P. Celani Date: September 22nd, 2024 (10am – 4pm EST/EDT, with a 30 min break) Location: Virtual LIVE – via Zoom To Register for this seminar, please complete the Registration form Continuing Education: 8.5 CE hours for NYS Psychologists, NYS Social Workers, and APA (covers most Mental Health professions in 49 states other than NYS) 5.5 CE hours for Licensed Psychoanalysts (from NAAP)
SEMINAR DESCRIPTION:
W.R.D Fairbairn challenged the dominance of Freud’s drive theory with a psychoanalytic model based on the internalization of human relationships. Fairbairn assumed that the human unconscious was not an instinctual source of energy, but rather a dissociated collection of memories of parental indifference, neglect and abuse. These memories are toxic to the child’s absolute dependency on their object(s) because they “prove” to the child that he/she is not really loved, and thus they have to be forced into the unconscious and ignored.
The child must remain dependent regardless of how badly they are being treated. In abused and neglected children, similar memories of abuse and neglect are grouped together in the unconscious and form a view of the self in relationship to the abusive object. This is the genesis of Fairbairn’s “structural” model. That is, independent unconscious structures develop that contain an image of the self and of the object and become independent sub-egos, that retain memories of actual events of which the central ego is completely unaware. Thus, they are hidden in the unconscious and completely of the central ego and under certain circumstances, they can emerge suddenly and displace the central ego.
The internal images and the dialogue that continues between the self and object structures (the antilibidinal ego and the rejecting object) keeps these memories of “truths” about the child’s development alive into adulthood. When the abused child becomes a parent, he/she is suddenly thrust into the role of the adult- the internalized memories of the rejecting parent are released and the dissociated rage to pour out on the unsuspecting, innocent infant. This way, the trauma hidden in the parent’s unconscious finds a victim to relieve the pain that they have carried, which is now carried into the next generation.
Fairbairn’s structural model provides the clinician with a useable, clear and powerful template to understand child abuse and treat the parents that unwittingly carry the destruction of their children inside themselves.
The many presentations of Fairbairn’s model are designed to introduce the analytic student to the reality that there are multiple and frequently opposing psychoanalytic models that do not share or even use the metaphors of the mind that were originally proposed by Freud.
So, the first goal of these presentations is to offer an alternative view of what psychoanalysis is, and can be, while still remaining psychoanalysis.
The second goal of these presentations is to offer the students a model of the human psyche that is usable, understandable and will help him/her understand patient productions in the clinical interview. Central to this goal is Fairbairn’s brilliant structural model which informs the clinician who he/she is speaking to in the interview. The patient may be dominated by one of the split-off sub egos, which contains extreme emotionality and a different view of reality, which is often misdiagnosed as bipolar process, which is absolutely incorrect.
SEMINAR SCHEDULE:
Morning Session:
10:00am – 12:30pm
Lunch
12:30pm – 1:00pm
Afternoon Session:
1:00pm – 4:00pm
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this educational activity, its participants will be able to:
To describe and utilize Fairbairn’s six-part structural theory and show the typical (and very common) relational events that led to its creation. [The dissociation of certain critical aspects of reality allows the central ego to remain intact and function, even though the individual lives with significant gaps in reality testing.]
To analyze the relationships that exist, separately, between each self and object in the three independent self and object pairs. [These three sets of selves and objects do not know about each other out of necessity and give the individual a very erratic and volatile approach to life and to relationships with others.]
Discuss and develop a therapeutic program based on understanding of Fairbairn’s structural theory and involving the creation of a clinical narrative designed to penetrate the defenses of the unconscious structures and introduce them to the dissociated reality of their patients’/clients’ troubled childhoods.
READINGS:
Celani, D. P. (2010). Fairbairn’s Object Relations Theory in the Clinical Setting. Chapters 2, 3, & 4 (pp. 51-151)
Celani, D.P. (2016). Fairbairn’s theory of change. Psychoanalytic Review, 103(3), 341–370.
Celani, D.P. (2021). Fairbairn’s Metaphor of Human Mind (Seminar handout).
SHORT BIO OF THE SEMINAR LEADER:
David P. Celani, PhD, is a licensed psychologist who practiced for more than twenty-five years in Burlington, Vermont. In treatment, he focused on his patients’ “attachment to bad objects”, which manifested through their inability to separate from parents, friends, or marital partners who demeaned, criticized, or abused them. Celani now presents workshops throughout the United States on Object Relations theory. His books with Columbia University Press include Fairbairn’s Object Relations Theory in the Clinical Setting, The Illusion of Love: Why the Battered Woman Returns to Her Abuser, and Leaving Home: How to Separate From Your Difficult Family.
CONTINUING EDUCATION:
Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis 2024 Summer / Fall Educational Events at ORI August 28, 2024 – September 22, 2024 Live Online
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Amedco LLC and Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis (ORIPP). Amedco LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Amedco Joint Accreditation #4008163.
Professions in scope for this activity are listed below.
Psychologists (APA) Credit Designation
This course is co-sponsored by Amedco and Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis. Amedco is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Amedco maintains responsibility for this program and its content. (8.5 CE)
The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Psychologists/Counselors: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, IO, KS, MA (LEP ONLY), ME, MO, NC, ND, NH, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OK*, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY
The following state boards accept courses approved by any other state for Psychologists/Counselors: CO, MD
MI: No CE requirements. *OK: Accepts APA credit for live, in-person activities but not for ethics and/or online courses.
The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for MFTs: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, MD, ME, MO, NE, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OK*, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WDC, WI, WY AL MFTs: Credits authorized by NBCC or any other state licensing agency will be accepted.
MA MFTs: Participants can self-submit courses not approved by the MAMFT board for review.
The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Addictions Professionals: AK, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IN, KS, LA, MD, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY (held outside NY ONLY), OK*, OR, SC, UT, WA, WI, WY
The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Social Workers: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, ME, MN, MO, NE, NH, NM, OR, PA, VT, WI, WY
New York Board for Social Workers (NY SW)
Amedco SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0115. (8.5 CE)
New York Board for Psychology (NY PSY)
Amedco is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0031. (8.5 CE)
National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis (NAAP) is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an Approved Provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychoanalysts. #P‑0019. 5.5 hours.
To receive CE certificates for the actual hours attended – please request them at the time of registration or any time prior to beginning of the conference. CE certificate fee: $25 (in addition to the registration fees). No fees charged for PD (Professional Development) certificates from ORI.
REGISTRATION AND FEES:
Early Bird registration(before August 10th, 2024)
$65 regular/ $45 grad students & candidates/ $20 undergrad students.
Regular registration (from August 10th – to September 21st, 2024 – before 6pm EST/EDT)
$80 regular/ $55 grad students & candidates/ $25 undergrad students.
Registration ‘at the door’ (after 6pm EDT/NYC time on September 21st, 2024)
$95 regular/ $65 grad students & candidates/ $35 undergrad students.
Please Note: IF CES ARE REQUESTED — please use the “regular” registration (not a “student”) option. There is also an additional fee of $25 for CE certificate processing (can be paid on the day of the conference or in advance).
SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS are available for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as for retired or disabled practitioners, or need-based or/and those who live outside of the USA.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Full refund before the date of the event.
No refund from the day of the event, but full paid tuition will be applied to any further ORI events.
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In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Amedco LLC and Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis (ORIPP). Amedco LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is co-sponsored by Amedco and Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis. Amedco is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Amedco maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 
