The New Orleans-Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center
3624 Coliseum Street, New Orleans
PSYCHOANALYSIS IN ACTION
2013-14 INFORMAL SPEAKER SERIES SEPTEMBER - MAY
10:30am to 12:30pm
For those curious about what psychoanalysis is and how it works, as well as for the seasoned analyst
interested in the latest applications of psychoanalytic principles, join us for the following presentations and
discussions.
Saturday, September 28
RETROSPECTIVE: INTERSUBJECTIVE THEORIES 25 YEARS LATER
by RONALD FLEISCHMANN, M.D.
Dr. Fleischmann will read portions of a paper he presented at the American Psychoanalytic Association 15
years ago comparing intersubjectivity to traditional psychoanalytic theory. The presentation will focus on the
impact of these theories on present day psychoanalysis. Dr. Fleischmann will discuss the evolution of his
thinking on this subject and invite participants to discuss how these theories have influenced their own thinking
and work. Learning Objectives: 1) Participants will gain an understanding of in what ways, and to what extent,
intersubjective theories have enhanced clinical work; 2) To appreciate how different formulations of
countertransference contribute to clinical work.
Saturday, November 23
THE IMPORTANCE OF PSYCHOANALYTIC INTEGRATION IN CURRENT MENTAL HEALTH
TREATMENT
by HOWARD AND JOY OSOFSKY, M.D.
Empirically-supported or evidence-based treatments have become de rigeur in the mental health professions.
There is increasing pressure to provide data that interventions are both effective and cost-effective. Cognitivebehavioral therapy has gained in prominence as a treatment which meets both these criteria with a relative few
knowing the data regarding the efficacy of psychoanalytic short and long-term treatments. Learning
Objectives: 1) Participants will know data demonstrating the effectiveness of psychoanalytically based briefand long-term therapy; 2) Participants will understand similarities and dissimilarities between cognitivebehavioral therapy and psychoanalytically-informed psychotherapy; and 3) Participants will be able to integrate
genetic, developmental and psychosocial constructs in psychoanalytically-informed treatment.
Saturday, December 7
PERVERSIONS, FETISHISM AND SADOMASOCHISM
by TALAAT MOHAMMED, M.D.
The fetish is regarded as a replacement for the lost female phallus, specifically the phallus of the mother. The
significance of the fetish is its protective measure and safeguard of the threat of castration during the phallic
oedipal developmental phase. Learning objectives: TBD
Saturday, January 25
PSYCHOTHERAPY TRAINING IN CHINA: WHAT HAS IT TAUGHT US?
by CAROLYN WEYAND, PH. D.
The combination of a rising middle class in China demanding mental health treatment options and the
occurrence of catastrophic natural disasters leaving people stunned by the trauma motivated the Chinese
government to support training in psychotherapy for Chinese mental health professionals. The International
Psychoanalytic Association and the China American Psychoanalytic Alliance have now trained thousands of
therapists. For those of us who teach and supervise, this has been a living laboratory to study the convergence
of culture and psychoanalytic thinking. Continuous discussion among us on culture and psychoanalysis has
produced some valuable insights for therapists in the U.S. to apply in their work with our culturally and racially
diverse population. Learning Objectives: Participants will learn 1) about cross-cultural influences in
psychoanalytic psychotherapy; 2) Beginning formulations of how to distinguish between cultural and
psychodynamic influences on psychotherapy process; and 3) Guidelines to discovering their own countertransferences to cultural differences and its impact on the treatment.
The New Orleans-Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center
3624 Coliseum Street, New Orleans
Saturday, March 22
DEPRIVATION AND DELINQUENCY: D.W. WINNICOTT’S OBSERVATIONS ON THE ROOTS
OF AGGRESSION by PAUL HUFNAGEL, LCSW, PH.D.
For a city rife with juvenile crime and daily acts of violence, D.W. Winnicott’s collection of work in
Deprivation and Delinquency can provide invaluable insight and needed commentary into the early emotional
and psychological origins of delinquency, aggression and anti-social behavior. This presentation will review
Winnicott’s early work at the Paddington Green Children’s Hospital in London with evacuated and orphaned
children during the Second World War, highlighting both diagnostic and clinical observations from this
traumatic wartime experience. Supplementing and reinforcing Winnicott’s important observations on the roots
of violence and aggression, scenes from Francois Truffaut’s classic 1959 film-- 400 Blows will be used to
illustrate how the lack of “good enough mothering” and neglect influence the developing mind and inevitable
behavior of the child. Learning Objectives: 1) Assist participants to think more critically—both
psychoanalytically and systemically-- about issues of juvenile violence and aggression—issues which
increasingly impact and traumatize our society; and 2) Deepen and broaden our understanding—not only as
clinicians but as citizens of the wider community-- around the critical concepts of “the holding environment”
and “good enough mothering.”
Saturday, April 5
PROJECT FOR A SCIENTIFIC PSYCHOLOGY-REVISITED
by JEFFREY NICHOLL, M.D.
The founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, was a neurologist by training and considered himself a
scientist-practitioner. In correspondence with Fleiss, he developed a model of neurological functioning which
would explain the phenomena he had identified through psychoanalytic exploration. His work was hailed as
bringing a rapprochement between psychoanalysis and neurophysiology, but his success was limited. The
objective of this presentation will be to educate participants about Freud's conception of the unconscious in light
of current findings in neuroscience. Participants will have a greater understanding of some of the neurological
underpinnings of Freud’s topographical model.
Saturday, May 10
IS THERE BALM IN GILEAD?
by AL BURSTEIN, PH. D.
Dr. Burstein will review two recent books relevant to the status of Psychoanalysis as a profession: The Death of
the Guilds by Elliot Krause and Psychoanalysis at the Margins by Paul Stepansky. Taken together, they paint a
grim picture of the future. After reviewing the books, Dr. Burstein will offer his views of a constructive
response to the challenges described, and will encourage further discussion. Learning objective: Participants
will become better acquainted with some challenges facing Psychoanalysis as a profession, and thus be better
prepared to deal with them constructively.
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 hrs/
session 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.