Programs, Seminars & Lectures Previously Offered
Finding the Words: The Use of Language in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
- Instructor: Paul Koehler and Karen Fraley
This seminar will focus on the therapist's use of language in the clinical encounter. The seminar will be structured around a careful reading of Thomas Ogden's book, Reverie and interpretation. We will also read selected papers by Antonino Ferro, Danielle Quinodoz, and others.
We will consider how the therapist decides-- exactly and particularly--what to say to a patient or client when offering a comment, an observation, an interpretation or some other intervention. We will give particular attention to the importance of using language that is simple, lively and accessible. We will consider what factors contribute to our deciding when and how to note an observation, offer a reflective comment, ask a tentative or so-called leading question, or voice a more hard-edged statement. We will also consider the elements involved in the craft of making fuller interpretations that bridge the patient's or client's current life, past experience, and the here-and-now of the therapeutic relationship.
On Approaching the Unconscious
- Instructors: Charles Ashbach, Karen Fraley, and Paul Koehler
An open house presentation to introduce the Philadelphia Psychotherapy Study Center and its 3 staff members. Come join us for an afternoon of thinking, reflecting and sharing ideas about the problems of approaching and encountering the unconscious. We take a broad approach to the unconscious and will be sharing some of the ways that our study methods and perspectives might be of help in dealing with the unconscious in the clinical encounter.
Our presentations will focus on the myths of psychoanalysis; the question of symbolism, and dreams. We will explore the role of the self of the therapist in trying to bring a richer and deeper perspective to the once or twice-a-week psychotherapy process. Sharing of clinical experiences of all participants is a central aspect of the experience.
Klein, Bion and the Clinical Encounter
- Instructor: Karen Fraley and Paul Koehler
This seminar will focus on the elements of psychoanalytic psychotherapy technique, using the theoretical concepts developed by Klein and Bion, and explicated by James Grotstein in his 2 volume book: "...But At The Same Time and On Another Level."
We will take an in-depth look at the role of the therapist, setting the frame, management of defenses and pathological organizations, and the use of the container-contained paradigm.
The first part will focus on psychoanalytic theory and technique underlying and supporting the therapist's work in listening, containing, and effectively intervening in understanding the patient's internal world.
The second part of the course will focus on clinical applications of modern psychoanalytic thinking using detailed case studies written by experts in the field.
Klein, Bion and the Clinical Encounter, Part 2
- Instructors: Karen Fraley and Paul Koehler
This seminar will focus on the basic elements of therapeutic technique, using the theoretical concepts of Melanie Klein and Wilfred Bion, as conceptualized by James Grotstein in volume 2 of his book, "...But at the Same Time and on Another Level..." The seminar will take an in-depth look at the role of the therapist, particularly the setting of the frame, the elements of listening and recognizing and managing defenses and pathological organizations, and the use of the c ontainer-contained paradigm to organize the therapist's understanding and inform the choice of interventions.
We will particularly focus on the clinical application of modern psychoanalytic thinking by studying the detailed case studies written by Thomas Ogden, Ron Britton, Antonino Ferro, Albert Mason and others, contained in Grotstein's book.
In addition to lecture and discussion of the readings, participants will be invited to share relevant case material for discussion and illustration
