The new Orleans-birmingham psychoanalytic Center
3624 Coliseum Street, New Orleans, LA 70115
Scientific Presentation
OBJECT RELATIONS AND THERAPEUTIC ACTION
Presented by:
FRANK SUMMERS, PhD
Saturday, March 7, 2015
10am – 12pm
Anna Many Lounge in the Caroline Richardson Building at Tulane University
This workshop will be focused on bringing out both the deep theoretical and concrete clinical implications of
using an object relations model of psychoanalytic therapy. The theoretical model will first be adumbrated by
means of the major object relations theorists: Fairbarin, Winnicott, the Kleinian school, and Kohut. This will
not be a survey of the theories, but rather a focused analysis to show that the use of object relations concepts
obviates need for the reified elements of the classical model. Reified concepts such as “the unconscious” and
“the intrapsychic” fail to grasp the patient as an experiencing subject, but that change does not in any way
mitigate the critical importance of unconscious psychic levels. The critical theoretical point is that the very
nature of psychological process and the person-world relationship is brought out in an object relations model.
It will be shown that this way of thinking about the person-world relationship has concrete and decisive
implications for analytic process and the therapeutic action of psychoanalytic therapy. While it is
acknowledged that object relations models as typically depicted lack the complete theoretical tools to account
for the therapeutic action of psychoanalysis, it will be shown that they provide the conceptual framework for a
concept of analytic change that fits the experiencing subject. It will be demonstrated that the shift away from
residual reifications of analytic thinking leads to a concept of transcendence that forms a more complete model
of analytic change than one can find within the framework of any particular analytic school. In this way, the
inextricably connected theoretical and clinical implications of the model come to fruition.
Learning Objectives:
1. The participants will be able to describe the unique contributions of the major object relations theories
to the therapeutic action of psychoanalytic therapy.
2. The participants will be able to describe the shift in the nature of the person-world relationship that
emanates from an object relations perspective.
3. The participants will be able to discuss the theoretical implications of a consistent view of analysis as
the investigation of the experiencing subject.
4. The participants will be able to show the concrete clinical implications of viewing analytic theory
without the remnants of psychic reification.
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 2.0 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 also receive continuing education credit for this activity if their accredited associations or boards
recognize CME credits.
Fee for 2 CME credits: $30 for NOBPC members; $50 non-members