INTRODUCTION TO THE OBJECT RELATIONS CLINICAL THEORY AND ITS CLINICAL EXPERIENTIAL APPLICATIONS
1st Trimester of the First Year of the One-Year, Two-Year and the Full Training in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis (can be also taken as an individual post-graduate certificate course; no pre-requisites)
Instructor:Susan Kavaler-Adler, PhD, ABPP, NCPsyA Date:Thursdays, October 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 30; December 7; 14; 21, 2023 (8:40pm – 9:55pm) (no class on November 23, 2023) Location: Virtual Live Post-graduate psychoanalytic education credits offered: Pending Continuing Education Information: 12.5 CE hrsSee details here Tuition:$450/10-week course/trimester (can be paid in 2 installments) Registration fee:$25/course (waived for ORI’s candidates in training)
This course introduces all candidates and students to the fundamental mental states that lie behind the Subjective Self development during the first three years of life, as well as during the mind’s reparation process in psychotherapeutic clinical treatment.
We enter this terrain through a poignant vision of Melanie Klein’s theory, highlighting her unique and universal psychic positions: the Paranoid-Schizoid Position and the Depressive Position. Thomas Ogden’s (1986) The Matrix of the Mind: Object Relations and the Psychoanalytic Dialogue will be used in this course as a roadmap.
Dr. Kavaler-Adler teaches all the chapters on Melanie Klein’s view of psychic “phantasy” and of the two psychic positions, where Ogden provides vivid clinical illustrations from his own practice.
She also comments on her own clinical case examples, and clinical case articles, as in the poetic birth of the passionate and related self in “Regrets for Daddy” from her 2013 book Anatomy of Regret: From Death Instinct to Reparation and Symbolization through Vivid Clinical Cases.
The vision of the main contributions of the British Object Relations theorists continues with chapters from The Matrix of the Mind that depict some of the primary and developmental theories of D. W. Winnicott. The original thinking of D.W. Winnicott in relation to the matrix of the mind residing in the “maternal matrix” is explored and demonstrated in clinical examples. Also, Winnicott’s unique vision of “potential space” is explicated.
Contrasts between Melanie Klein’s thinking and that of Winnicott are acknowledged, while the veritable truth that Winnicott was inspired by Klein in all his thinking is also acknowledged. Winnicott was outlining his contrasting view of the environment, and its evolution into the interpersonal realm that emerges through transitional space and transitional objects.
Winnicott’s view of the “holding environment” for both the mother of an infant and toddler and for the psychotherapist of a character disordered (“false self”) patient will also be part of the beginning exploration of Winnicott’s genius, as he combined the knowledge of being a pediatrician with that of being a psychoanalytic clinician with a developmental focus.
The latter part of the course will relate to readings in Dr. Kavaler-Adler’s 2014 book The Klein-Winnicott Dialectic: Transformative New Metapsychology and Interactive Clinical Theory, related to these two primary British Object Relations theorists, enlarging the scope provided by Dr. Thomas Ogden.
This book introduces readers to the psychobiographies of Melanie Klein and D. W. Winnicott, illustrating how each of the mothers of these two theorists influenced the construction of their boldly contrasting, and yet clinically complementary theories. Chapters read for class will introduce students to the dramatic domination of Melanie Klein’s mother during her life, both literally (during her early life until her divorce and entrance into psychoanalysis with Karl Abraham), and then theoretically (during her later life as a psychoanalyst who pioneered psychoanalytic Object Relations).
Klein-Winnicott Dialectic book will also be used to show Dr. Kavaler-Adler’s clinical work that integrates major contributions of each of these two formidable and pioneering clinical theorists. This book helps students to understand how the combination of the contributions of Melanie Klein’s and of D. W. Winnicott’s clinical theory can provide for the most profound, healing, and transformative clinical work. Also, the combination of Winnicott’s view of “object survival” through the therapeutic “holding environment” and the therapeutic process of mourning, first written about by Melanie Klein, can be seen to initiate the “developmental mourning” process spoken about by Susan Kavaler-Adler in all her work.
The subjects of “transitional space” and of the transition from the paranoid-schizoid position to the depressive position are also addressed head on in the clinical chapters of The Klein-Winnicott Dialectic.
The students are encouraged to comment on the materials and to ask questions, as well as to share their own clinical experience, which creates a rich communal atmosphere.
For a taste of the topics discussed in this course, please view these educational videos:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course, its participants will be able to:
Analyze and apply the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as internal psychic world and internal object relations.
Apply and the basic oject relations phenomena of the internal psychic world and internal object relations – in the psychoanalytic dialogue.
Analyze and apply the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as Instinct, phantasy, and psychological deep structure.
Discuss and analyze the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as the depressive position and its relationship to healthy development.
Apply the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as the depressive position to the birth of the “historical subject.”
Analyze and apply the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as the paranoid-schizoid position and its relationship to developmental deficits.
Discuss and analyze the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as self as object.
Discuss, analyze, and apply the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as transference and erotic transference.
Discuss, analyze, and apply the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as countertransference.
Discuss, analyze, and apply the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as projection and projective identifications.
Analyze and compare the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as paranoid-schizoid and the depressive positions.
Apply the analysis of the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, the paranoid-schizoid and the depressive position, to one’s clinical cases.
Discuss and analyze the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as potential space and dream space.
Discuss and analyze the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as transitional phenomena.
Discuss and analyze the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as analytic space.
Apply the basic terms and phenomena of the object relations theory, such as transitional phenomena, potential space, dream space, and analytic space to one’s clinical practice and personal/professional life.
COURSE OUTLINE:
TEXTBOOKs for the COURSE:
The Matrix of the Mind, by Thomas Ogden (Jason Aronson, 1986).
The Klein-Winnicott Dialectic: New Transformative Metapsychology and Interactive Clinical Theory, by Susan Kavaler-Adler (Karnac, 2014). Additional readings (articles) will be emailed.
Weeks 1-6:
Readings are from T. Ogden’s book, The Matrix of the Mind:
1st Week: Chapter 1, The Psychoanalytic Dialogue; and Chapter 2, Instinct, Phantasy, and Psychological Deep Structure in the Work of Melanie Klein.
2nd Week: Chapter 3, The Paranoid-Schizoid Position: Self as Object.
3rd class: Chapter 4, The Depressive Position and the Birth of the Historical Subject.
4th class: Chapter 5, Between the Paranoid-Schizoid and the Depressive Position.
5th class: Chapter 7, The Mother, the Infant, and the Matrix in the Work of Donald Winnicott.
6th class: Chapter 8, Potential Space, and Chapter 9, Dream Space and Analytic Space.
Weeks 7-9:
Readings are from S. Kavaler-Adler’s book,Klein-Winnicott Dialectic:
7th class: Chapter 1, Like Moses On the Way to the Promised Land: A Case of Pathological Mourning (pp. 1-26). This chapter is related to the interaction between Melanie Klein psychobiography/internal world and her major theories. The chapter focuses on the British theorist’s history, and her mother’s personality.
8th class: Chapter 2, Melanie Klein’s Creative Writing Revealing Themes in Her Life and Theorizing (pp. 27-42). This chapter is about Melanie Klein’s creative writing & creative process, and her Demon Lover Complex. Klein’s internal mother becomes a metapsychological theory of the Death Instinct: Death Instinct as Demon Lover.
9th class: Chapter 6, Developmental Evolution in the Work of D. W. Winnicott, Psychic and Transitional Space (pp. 115-148). This is a clinical chapter that illustrates the theory of transitional space and potential space in Winnicott and the theory of mourning in Klein. The clinical examples integrate the clinical aspects of Klein’s and Winnicott’s theories, along with Dr. Kavaler-Adler’s theory of developmental mourning.
Week 10:
Readings:
10th class: a) Original paper by Melanie Klein, Mourning and Its Relation to Manic Depressive States, b) paper by Susan Kavaler-Adler, Pivotal Moments of Surrender to Mourning the Parental Internal Objects (Psychoanalytic Review, 2008).
Some additional readings, such as original works of M. Klein and D. W. Winnicott will be offered and distributed via email.
For more information, please contact ORI’s Programs director by email at or by phone (call/text) at 646-522-1056.
INSTRUCTOR’S BIO:
Susan Kavaler-Adler, Ph.D., ABPP, D.Litt., NCPsyA is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst, who has been in practice in Manhattan for 45 years. She is a Fellow of the American Board and Academy of Psychoanalysis, and is the Founder and Executive Director of the Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. She is a Training Analyst, Senior Supervisor and active faculty member at the Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, a NYS Board of Regents chartered psychoanalytic training institute.
Dr. Kavaler-Adler has an honorary doctorate in literature, and she is a prolific author, with published six books and over 70 articles and book chapters in the field of object relations psychoanalytic theory. Six of her seven published books are related to clinical Object Relations theories. They are: Developmental Mourning, Erotic Transference, and Object Relations Psychoanalysis (IPBooks, 2023); The Klein-Winnicott Dialectic: Transformative New Metapsychology and Interactive Clinical Theory (Karnac, 2014); The Anatomy of Regret: From Death Instinct to Reparation and Symbolization in Vivid Case Studies (Karnac, 2013); Mourning, Spirituality and Psychic Change: A New Object Relations View of Psychoanalysis (Routledge, 2003; Gradiva® Award from NAAP, 2004); The Creative Mystique: From Red Shoes Frenzy to Love and Creativity (Routledge, 1996; ORI Academic Press 2014; Gradiva® Award nomination); The Compulsion to Create: Women Writers and Their Demon Lovers (Routledge, 1993; ORI Academic Press, 2013). Dr. Kavaler-Adler received 16 awards for her psychoanalytic writing. She is also on the editorial board of the International Journal of Controversial Conversations (IJCC). In addition, Dr. Kavaler-Adler conducts ongoing groups in her practice, such as a monthly writing group, a monthly online experiential supervision group, and a monthly “Mourning, Therapy, and Support Group” with guided visualization. More information can be found at https://kavaleradler.com/.
CONTINUING EDUCATION:
Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis 2023 Fall Training at ORI October 12, 2023 – December 21, 2023 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.
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. 27.0 hours.
The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Counselors: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, ME, MO, NC, ND, NH, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OK*, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY
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. 27.0hours.
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. 27.0hours.
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:
Tuition: $450/10-week course/trimester (can be paid in 2 installments) Registration fee: $25/course (waived for ORI’s candidates in training)
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. To apply for your scholarship, please go to the registration form below.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Full refund until the 1st session. 75% refund before the 2nd session. 50% refund before the 3rd session. No refund from the day of the third session, but 50% of the full paid tuition will be applied to any further ORI events.
Loading
Form successfully restored
The form has been restored from your last edit. If wish to start over, please click the button
We have received your request
%DESIGNATIONMSG%
Server Side Error
We faced problems while connecting to the server or receiving data from the server. Please wait for a few seconds and try again.
If the problem persists, then check your internet connectivity. If all other sites open fine, then please contact the administrator of this website with the following information.
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. 