First Trimester Didactic I:
Freud:
In this course, we will consider the evolution of Freud's ideas about theory and
technique. We will begin with Freud's conceptualization of hysteria and his emphasis on
the centrality of sexual trauma . Then, we will review how and why he rejected the
seduction hypothesis and developed his alternative ideas about the motivational
importance of the sexual drive and the role of fantasy in pathogenesis. We will outline
the essentials of his topographic and structural models, highlighting why he changed
theories again and how he integrated environmental factors into his considerations. In
the process, we will look at his recommendations about technique, appreciating how his
treatment model can be seen as exemplifying a one person approach. We then
consider how Freud's thinking reflects and diverges from a relational approach both
theoretically and clinically. Finally we will look at two of his famous cases, Dora and the
Rat Man and consider how a contemporary relationalist might frame the dynamics,
developmental and repetitive enactments, and clinical approach to these patients.
First Trimester Didactic II:
Foundational Writings in Relational Psychoanalysis: This semester will begin our
exploration of the emergence of the relational perspective with a close reading of what
we regard to be some of the most foundational papers. We will consider the intellectual
crisis in psychoanalysis and the challenge to it's basic assumptions that served as a
backdrop to these early attempts to reformulate some of the essentials of a
psychoanalytic position and intent. The class will consider the differences between a
drive conflict model and a relational conflict model; epistemological issues around
analytic knowledge and authority; the nature and structure of mind, multiplicity,
dissociation, and the symbolization, structuralization and formulation of experience.
Readings will include papers by: Mitchell, Hoffman, Aron, Benjamin, Davies, Stern,
Ghent, Pizer, Slochower.
Second Trimester Didactic
The Development of Object Relations Theories: This semester will consider the
development of Object Relations theories as a separate response to the Freudian
tradition. We will consider the importance of object relations theories to the relational
tradition, and look at some of Mitchell's early writings as an attempt to integrate an
object relations model of mind with an interpersonal sense of analytic technique. We
will also consider how the object relations tradition began to organize itself around a
newly emerging sense of the centrality of early relational experience to psychic
structures, and the failure of these early experiences to notions of psychological
disturbances in later life.
In this semester we will focus on the work of Klein, Winnicott, Ferenczi, and Fairbairn.
Second Trimester Clinical Seminar: In the clinical seminars candidates will have a
chance to present their clinical work in an ongling way. We will focus our attentions on
the theoretical issues that are the focus of the didactic work. Although we will always be
considering the entire clinical presentation an attempt will be made to highlight the
issues that are being read about and discussed within a particular trimester.
Third Trimester Didactic:
Continuing Evolution of the Relational Perspective: The third trimester will continue
our exploration of the emerging relational tradition begun in the first trimester. We will
consider a relational reformulation of issues such as trauma and intersubjectivity. We
will begin an ongoing discussion of the evolution of relational conceptualizations of the
transference-countertransference process. We will also consider the different tributaries
fundamental to relational thinking and begin to identify their distinctive contributions.
We will look, specifically, at the contributions of self psychology and the interpersonal
school.
Among authors considered in this semester will be: Mitchell, Davies, Bromberg, Grand,
Benjamin, M. Slavin, Ringstrom, Kaufmann, Levenson, Hirsch, etc.
Third Trimester Clinical Seminar
SECOND YEAR
First Trimester Didactic:
Differing Conceptualizations of "The Baby": This ten week segment will focus on
the developmental dimensions of relational thinking. Our attention will be on the very
different babies envisioned by different theorists as well as the clinical implications of
each vision. Included in this trimester will be the developmental implications of a host of
theorists including Freud, Klein, Bion, Fairbairn, Winnicott, Attachment theorists,
Fonagy, Harris, and the work of the Boston Change Group. Included in this seminar
will also be a broader discussion of the relationship between developmental theories
and clinical work with adult patients. Here we will also consider works by Mitchell and
Ghent on the metaphor of the "baby" in psychoanalytic practice.
First Trimester Clinical Seminar
Second Trimester Didactic:
The Relational Perspective and the Kleinian Tradition: In this seminar we will take
up the work of Neo-Kleinian, Bionian and Neo-Bionian authors. We will explore different
ways of understanding the concept of projective identification as well as some of the
arguments against this concept. We will consider more contemporary extensions of
Klein's theories, particularly notions of love, hate, envy, reparation, and the oscillation
between the paranoid-schizoid and depressive positions. We will also consider a
Bionian and Neo-Bionian conceptualizations of containment, transformation, and the
analyst's capacity to receive projections. The differences between a Winicottian notion
of holding and a Bionian notion of containment will be explored. We will also look at the
implications of this work in our evolving understanding of transferencecountertransference, particularly emphasizing the work of Racker and some of the
newer "field theorists."
Second Trimester Clinical Seminar
Third Trimester Didactic:
Intersubjectivity Theory: This semester will be an in depth exploration of differing
conceptualizations of intersubjectivity. Included in this seminar will be works by
Benjamin, Stolorow andAtwood, Ogden, Daniel Stern, Beebe and Lachmann, LyonsRuth. During the course of this semester we will also explore how relational theorists
have both problematized and attempted to provide a diverse set of answers about the
place of the analyst's subjectivity within clinical work. Concepts having to do with selfdisclosure, reverie, object probing, and the third will be explored in terms of their
relationship to an intersubjective perspective.
Third Trimester Clinical Seminar
THIRD YEAR
First Trimester Didactic:
Relational Considerations of Sexuality: Although the sexual drives are no longer the
cornerstone of our understanding of psychic structure, human sexuality remains a highly
significant aspect of relational thinking. In this trimester we will explore Harris, Dimen,
Benjamin, and Corbett on the reformulation of gender theories, Davies on the
reformulation of the Oedipus Complex, Davies and Cooper on post oedipal
development. We will look historically at Horney's reworking of Freudian theory and
Loewald's "waning" of the Oedipus Complex. We will also discuss the implications of
these revised theories on erotic transference and countertransference processes.
First Trimester Clinical Seminar:
Second and Third Trimester Didactic:
The Mysteries of the Unconscious: This two trimester, twenty week seminar will
explore historical and contemporary ways of conceptualizing the unconscious and the
communication of unconscious process. Ideas about psychic structure, unconscious
fantasy, dream life and analytic reverie will be included here. We will choose from
among a wide variety of authors with an essentially comparative psychoanalytic
approach as a backdrop against which to study the particular contributions of the
relational position. Included in this semester will be works by Freud, Klein, H. Segal (on
fantasy and phantasy), works by Loewald, Sullivan, Donnel Stern, Bromberg( on
interpersonal conceptualizations of a multiple self state model and dissociation), Davies,
M. Slavin, Pizer,(on a more object relations concept of multiplicity and dissociation),
Black and Bass (on the concept of enactment), Ferenczi, Bromberg, and Bass (on
unconscious communication), Bion and Ogden (on reverie), Fosshage and Blechner (on
dreams), Altman, Suchet, and Leary (on the impact of culture and cultural difference on
unconscious psychic life).
Second Trimester Clinical Seminar
Third Trimester Seminar: in lieu of a clinical seminar in the third trimester of the third
year we will offer a clinical writing seminar in which candidates will begin to
conceptualize a final original paper that will be required at the end of the fourth year as
a requirement for graduation from the program. This paper is intended to focus on a
contemporary controversy in relational thinking and be "publication ready" by the end of
the program. In addition to the seminar, each student will have an individual writing
mentor who will be available throughout the writing process to serve as a guide and
consultant. The seminar itself will read articles about the writing process ( eg.
Slochower) as well as present and discuss the ideas they will be developing.
FOURTH YEAR
First Trimester Didactic:
Contemporary Relational Ideas about Gender, Sexual Orientation and Queer
Theory: This semester will focus on our most contemporary writings in these areas.
Included in this semester will be writings by Goldner, Suchet, Harris, Silverman etc. on
"trans" phenomena, as well as other works by Corbett, Layton, Dimen, and others.
First Trimester Clinical Seminar
Second Trimester Didactic Seminar:
Mourning and the Process of Termination:
This semester will consider an overview of the course of a relational psychoanalysis,
with special emphasis on mourning and the process of termination. We will read papers
by Ogden, Frommer, Glennon (on mourning and grief) as well as a selection of papers
(Hoffman, Salberg, Grand, Davies, Bass, Frommer, etc.) on a relational
reconceptualization of the termination phase of treatment.
Second Trimester Clinical Seminar
Third Trimester Didactic Seminar:
Contemporary Controversies in Relational Psychoanalysis:
In this seminar, each student will be asked to teach one session of the semester using
his or her original paper as the basis for the class. Each paper will explore a current
controversy in relational psychoanalysis, using extensive clinical material to elucidate
the perspective taken. Members of the core faculty will be present for these classes on
a rotating basis.
Third Trimester Clinical Seminar