Seminar with Dr. David P. Celani
September 20th, 2025 (Saturday), 11:30am-3:45 pm EDT
Virtual Live
To Register for this seminar, please complete the Registration form
Continuing Education: 6 CE hrs for APA (covers most mental health professionals outside of NYS),
NYS Psychologists, & NYS Social Workers
“The chief aim of psycho-analytical treatment is to promote a maximum “synthesis” of the structures into which the original ego has been split, in the setting of a therapeutic relationship with the analyst. Involved in the achievement of this aim are two further aims, viz, (a) a maximum reduction of persisting infantile dependence, and (b) a maximum reduction of that hatred of the rejecting object which, according to my theory, is ultimately responsible for the splitting of the ego.” — W. R. D. Fairbairn, “On the Nature and Aims of Psycho-Analytical Treatment” (1958, p. 380)
This four-hour seminar will introduce the attendees to Fairbairn’s metaphor of the human psyche as it applies to personality disorders: Borderline, Narcissistic, Obsessive, and Hysterical. Fairbairn’s model departs from classical drive theory and instead conceptualizes psychopathology as rooted in early relational trauma, dissociation, and developmental arrest.
Fairbairn proposed that the psyche forms through internalized experiences with primary caregivers — some growth-promoting, others rejecting or hostile. To preserve a bond with a rejecting parent and avoid the psychological devastation of abandonment, the child unconsciously splits off traumatic experiences, forming dissociated internal structures: the antilibidinal ego (associated with rejection and criticism) and the libidinal ego (associated with hope and idealization). These ego states remain unknown to the central ego, and under specific conditions, one or both may emerge to dominate conscious experience and behavior.
Each personality style emerges from a unique constellation of defenses against early relational failure. For example, the obsessive patient remains embedded in the punitive antilibidinal ego; the narcissistic patient inhabits the libidinal ego and identifies with the exciting object; the borderline individual oscillates between both states; and the hysteric patient alternates between idealization and devaluation in pursuit of a redeeming object.
Dr. Celani will demonstrate how the therapist is able to use a carefully constructed narrative, co-constructed by both therapist and patient, to gradually explore which events had been dissociated, while the presence of the therapist as a good object dampens and replaces the original parents. Without the attachment of the patient to the therapist, the recall of the dissociated memories would cause emotional chaos. A careful description of the technique of creating and maintaining a narrative that uncovers past traumas, while simultaneously supporting the patient will be demonstrated.
A central focus of this seminar will be the application of Fairbairn’s model to the treatment of personality disorders, with particular emphasis on resistance to treatment, which Fairbairn saw not as superficial opposition but as an expression of deep structural attachments to internalized bad objects. Participants will learn about three specific sources of resistance grounded in Fairbairn’s model:
1) The patient’s avoidance of acknowledging the extent of early relational trauma, often resulting in angry defenses of the very parents who harmed them, or even premature termination of therapy if the clinician confronts these realities too quickly.
2) The tenacious emotional bonds between dissociated ego structures and their internal objects, including the antilibidinal ego’s refusal to relinquish its mission to gain approval from the rejecting parent, and the libidinal ego’s idealized clinging to the hope of love from the “exciting object.”
3) The patient’s transference-driven resentment toward the therapist, who is unconsciously expected to conform to the internalized parental template. Participants will explore how to address these false expectations without intensifying resistance, and how to gradually dismantle these internal structures through attuned clinical work.
This seminar will help clinicians identify shifting ego states, assess transference patterns, and work with highly dissociated material using Fairbairn’s developmental and relational framework. Case vignettes and clinical illustrations will guide participants in applying the model to a range of treatment-resistant presentations.
Who Is This Seminar For?
This seminar is designed for mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychoanalysts, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, and others. While specialized knowledge of object relations theory is beneficial, the seminar will provide sufficient context for clinicians with general psychodynamic training.
At the conclusion of this seminar, participants will be able to:
As one of the few contemporary psychologists specializing in Fairbairnian theory, Dr. Celani brings unique expertise in translating complex theoretical concepts into practical clinical applications. His approach makes sophisticated psychological insights accessible to both professionals and parents, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Dr. Celani is the author of multiple peer-reviewed publications on Fairbairnian theory and its application to treatment of personality disorders and developmental trauma, as well as books: 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 (all published by Columbia University Press). His new book, Ronald Fairbairn: A Contemporary Introduction, with Routledge, was just published at the end of December of 2024.
2025 Fall Advanced & Transdisciplinary Topics in Psychoanalysis
Online
Live Online
Session 1: 9-4-25 – 9/25/25 (Thursdays, 7-9:40pm EDT): James F. Masterson’s Approach to Modern Psychoanalytic Praxis: A Contemporary Introduction (training course with Loray Daws, PhD) (10.00 CE)
Session 2: 9-13-25 (Saturday, 12-2pm EDT): Trauma Treatment in Crisis: Clinical Approaches Following October 7th (interactive lecture with Aner Govrin, PhD) (2.00 CE)
Session 3: 9-20-25 (Saturday, 11:30am-3:45pm EDT): Understanding and Treating Personality Disorders with Fairbairn’s Object Relations Model (seminar with David P. Celani, PhD) (6.00 CE)
Session 4: 10-5-25 (Sunday, 12-3:15pm EDT): Post-Traumatic Growth: Becoming an Expert Companion in Healing Through Struggle (seminar with Victoria Grinman, PhD) (5.00 CE)
Joint Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Amedco LLC and Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis. 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 Provider Number: 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 content. Maximum of 23.0 hours.
The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Psychologists/Counselors: AK, AR,
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA (LEP ONLY), MD, ME, MN, MO, NC, ND, NH, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK*, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY
MI: Accepts courses from APA for Psychologists. No general CE requirement for Counselors.
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, OH, 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. MI MFTs: There are no CE requirements for MFTs in MI.
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 Social Workers
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. 23.0 credit hours.
New York Psychologists
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. 23.0 hours.
Early Bird registration (before August 15th, 2025):
$50 regular/ $35 graduate students & analytic candidates/ $15 undergraduate students
Regular registration (from August 15th, 2025 – to September 19th, 2025 – before 6pm EDT/NYC time):
$65 regular/ $50 graduate students & candidates/ $20 undergraduate students
Registration ‘at the door’ (after 6pm EDT/NYC time on September 19th, 2025):
$75 regular/ $60 graduate students & candidates/ $25 undergraduate 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.
