MSc in Theoretical Psychoanalytic Studies
Spring Term 2012
Co-ordinator: Mrs Rosemary Davies
This series of seminars aims to consider some of the current issues in contemporary clinical theory. In the first two seminars we will discuss two of these issues: the contemporary debate on transference and technique; and the place of history and reconstruction in clinical technique. We will then have the opportunity to discuss clinical theory issues with a number of senior clinicians.
Seminar 1
Saturday 4th February 1.45 – 3.15pm
The psychoanalytic setting and transference: Freud and the contemporary debate on the place of the transference.
Mr Richard Rusbridger
In this seminar we will look at the psychoanalytic setting, and consider briefly some of Freud’s writings on transference and technique. We will look at the widening of the concept of transference by Klein to include what she called the 'total transference'. We will discuss the effect of this, and of the interest from 1950 onwards in a wider definition than Freud’s of countertransference, on attention to acting in/out (Sandler/Joseph). The papers marked as ‘essential reading’ are the bare minimum. The Freud technique papers are short and accessible, so I have suggested as ‘further reading’ a couple of others.
Essential Reading:
Freud, S. (1914) Remembering, repeating and working-through. S.E.12 – PEP
Joseph, B. (1985) Transference: the total situation. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 66: 447–454. Reprinted in M. Feldman and E. B. Spillius (eds.), Psychic Equilibrium and Psychic Change, London: Routledge, 1989, pp. 156–167. – Moodle
Further reading:
Freud, S. (1913) On beginning the treatment, S.E.12 – PEP
Freud, S. (1915) Observations on Transference-Love. S.E.12 – PEP
Klein, M. (1952) The origins of transference. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 33: 433–438. Reprinted in The Writings of Melanie Klein, Volume 3. London: Hogarth Press, 1975, pp. 48–56.
Sandler, J. (1976) Countertransference and role responsiveness, International Review of Psychoanalysis, 3: 43-47. – PEP
Seminar 2
Friday 10th February 2.00 – 3.30pm
History
Prof. Mary Target
In this seminar, I suggest we look at the various views on the place of history in contemporary psychoanalytic technique. Green (2001) for example thinks we should reassert the role of history in psychoanalytic technique and critiques what he calls the ‘widespread technique of the ‘here and now’’. On the other hand, Feldman (2005) describes a technique in which ‘what we think of as historical objects are internal objects and these can be most fully recognised in the present’.
Essential reading:
*Sandler J. (1983). Reflections on some relations between psychoanalytic concepts and psychoanalytic practice. Int. J. Psycho-Anal., 64: 35-45. Moodle /PEP
The following represent different views: you may choose to read one or all of them -
*Green, A. (2001).The passion of history confronted with the failure of psychoanalytic historical thinking, in Within Time and Beyond Time: A Festschrift for Pearl King, ed. R. Steiner and J. Johns, London: Karnac Books Moodle
*Feldman, M (2005). The Illumination of History. EPF Bulletin 2005. Moodle
*Spillius, E. (2007) Melanie Klein on the Past. Chapter in Encounters with Melanie Klein edited by Roth and Rusbridger, London: Routledge). Moodle
Further reading:
Bollas, C (1995) Cracking Up, London: Free Association Books. Chapter 5
Freud S.E (1937) Constructions in Analysis SE 23
Kennedy,R (2007) The Many Voices of Psychoanalysis. London: Routledge Chapter 5
Yorke, C The Unconscious, past, present and future in Within Time and Beyond Time: A Festschrift for Pearl King, ed. R. Steiner and J. Johns, London: Karnac Books
Seminar 3
Friday 24th February 2.00 – 3.30pm
Mrs Rosemary Davies & Mr Donald Campbell
Essential reading: TBC
Seminar 4
Saturday 3rd March 1.45-3.15pm
Mrs Rosemary Davies & Dr Gigliola Fornari Spoto
Essential reading: TBC
Seminar 5
Friday 9th March 2.00-3.30pm
Mrs Rosemary Davies & Dr Michael Parsons
Essential reading:
Parsons, M. (2006)The analyst’s countertransference to the psychoanalytic process. Int. J. Psychoanal., 87:1183-1198. PEP
Parsons, M. (2007) Raiding the inarticulate: the internal analytic setting and listening beyond countertransference. Int. J. Psychoanal., 88:1441-1456. PEP
Seminar 6
Friday 16th March 2.00-3.30pm
Mrs Rosemary Davies & Mrs Marie Zaphiriou-Woods
Essential reading:
Zaphiriou Woods, M. From action to communication: the transformation of aggression in childhood. (Unpublished paper – will be circulated confidentially)
Seminar 7
Friday 23rd March 2.00-3.30pm
Mrs Rosemary Davies & Dr Michael Feldman
Essential reading: TBC
Seminar 8
Friday 30th March 2.00-3.30pm
Mrs Rosemary Davies & Dr Jennifer Johns
Essential reading: TBC
Seminar 9
Saturday 31st March 9.30-11.00am
Mrs Rosemary Davies & Mr Richard Rusbridger
No essential reading
