Film Series: Phantom Thread by Jon Dimond, PhD

Maybe He’s the Most Demanding Man:

Authoritarian Ambivalence and The Wounded Patriarch

Psychoanalysis and Cinema: Many psychotherapists struggle to understand the dynamics of power and control that emerge with their obsessive clients. Other therapists recognize these dynamics but fail to see the defensive operations, destructive pleasures and hidden vulnerabilities within these complex games of control. A psychoanalytic account of the authoritarian personality can help clinicians understand both the conflicted minds of their patients and the pathologies of our political moment.

Psychologists, Social Workers, and Licensed Professional Counselors may also receive continuing education credit for this activity if their accredited associations or boards recognize CME credits.

Screening begins at 2pm Central Time at NOBPC.

Discussion begins at 4:30pm Central Time at NOBPC or Zoom

Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread (2017) is a taught psychological drama surrounding a meticulous couturier, Reynolds Woodcock, whose need for absolute control over his life, art, and relationships is disrupted when Alma enters his world and refuses to follow the leader. Their relationship unfolds as a battle of power and dependency, with rituals, manipulation, and emotional bids used to secure dominance and intimacy. The film examines how control can be both thrilling and destructive, revealing the compromises and corrosive obsessions that sustain their singular bond.

Drawing from the works of Sigmund Freud (Civilization and its Discontents), Wilhelm Reich (The Mass Psychology of Fascism), and Ruth Ben-Ghiat (Strongmen: How They Rise, Why They Succeed, How They Fall), we will review Phantom Thread as an illustration of the confounding phenomenology of The Strongman. Through this discussion, participants will be invited to apply psychoanalytic principles to better understand how a character structure organized around obsessiveness, dominance, and relentless control can at the same time be so vulnerable, emotionally reactive, and prone to surrender. Utilizing this lens, the dramatic reversal depicted in the film’s finale may be more inevitable than shocking.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine the power dynamics between Alma and Reynolds Woodcock utilizing Reich’s conceptualization of authoritarian character structure
• Apply Freud’s concept of the Pleasure Principle to an enhanced understanding of the ambivalent unconscious psychodynamics of authoritarian character structure
• Explain the allure of the Strong Man and its relationship to the obsessive personality

Dr. Jon Dimond received his doctorate in clinical psychology from The New School for Social Research in New York City. Although his practice is broadly oriented toward general adult psychotherapy, he has specialized training in treatments for severe personality disorders and trauma. Dr. Dimond additionally has an extensive research and clinical background working with individuals who identify as transgender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and gender non-binary.

Attendance is free but pre-register HERE

Please click HERE for registration with CME credits. If you prefer to pay by check, please email nobpcenter@gmail.com.

Fee for 1.5 CME credits:

• NOBPC members $10
• Non-members $15

In-person space is limited so please register early.

If you wish to join only for the discussion, please watch the film prior to joining. If joining for the discussion only, please arrive at NOBPC by 4:20pm or join the Zoom link.

The film is available to rent on several streaming services.

Zoom registration ends 24 hours before the event and is only available for the discussion portion.

ACCME Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association and NOBPC. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA Credit Designation Statement

The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Statement

The APsA CE Committee has reviewed the materials for accredited continuing education and has determined that this activity is not related to the product line of ineligible companies and therefore, the activity meets the exception outlined in Standard 3: ACCME’s identification, mitigation and disclosure of relevant financial relationship. This activity does not have any known commercial support.

Optional Readings:

• Bergstein, A. (2016). Obsessionality. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 64(5), 969–996.
• Funk, R. (2024) On the Psychodynamics of Right-Wing Populism: A Frommian Perspective. Psychoanalytic Inquiry 44:37-44
• Rizzolo, G. (2023). Obsessions and compulsions: A lifespan perspective. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 71(3), 445–487