The New Orleans-Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center
Scientific Presentation
Essential Objects and Emotional Transformation in the Life and Work of Emily Carr
(1871 – 1946)
Presented by: Kathryn Zerbe, MD
Friday, March 15, 2013
8:00-10:00 P.M.
3624 Coliseum Street
Emily Carr is one of Canada’s most beloved artists. After an initial period of study and high productivity, her
creative capacities were stymied for years because of unrelenting depression. A second period of literary and
artistic achievement began in late middle age when 3 individuals took an interest in Carr’s talents as a writer
and painter and helped her to flourish. This presentation focuses on the creative transformation and remission
of depression in Carr’s later years that spawned enormous output in two different media. A case is made that
the fortuitous arrival of 3 ‘Essential Others’ in Carr’s life were requisite, vitalizing figures whose interest and
encouragement helped to lift the artist out of depression and to achieve momentous artistic expression in late
middle age. Understanding Carr’s developmental shift has obvious implications for clinical practice: The
potential for one’s most significant life achievements may occur well into middle age; so called ‘spontaneous
remissions’ of depression or other emotional disorders may actually be assisted by ‘Essential Others,’ if
clinicians and researchers look carefully for them in the life history. The therapist/psychoanalyst may serve as
such a transformational object to his/her patients in overcoming obstacles and serious psychopathology when
clinicians confront countertransference ‘ageism’ and remain open to the healing agency within the therapeutic
alliance.
Upon the completion of this program participants will be able to:
1. List several characteristics of the essential other/transformational object
2. Explain how the essential other/transformational object enables the patient to get back on a normative
developmental track or overcome significant psychological problems or creative blocks
3. Critique contemporary psychodynamic notions of what is curative or ameliorative in the therapeutic
process
4. Discuss how middle age development is fostered by the role of creative partners or ‘essential others’ by
using the example of Canadian painter Emily Carr.
The New Orleans-Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center
Scientific Presentation
Essential Objects and Emotional Transformation in the Life and Work of Emily Carr
(1871 – 1946)
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for
Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the American Psychoanalytic Association and the New Orleans
Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing
medical education for physicians.
The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION FOR ALL LEARNERS: None of the planners and presenters of this CME program have
any relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Psychologists and Social Workers may receive credit for this activity with a CME certificate.