Psychoanalytic Explorations: Ended but Not Over: Explorations of Difficult Terminations in Psychotherapy by Jeffrey Sibrack, MD

Psychoanalytic Explorations is a series in which faculty members and students of the NOBPC, as well as interested members of the community, present and discuss issues of current concern to them. The focus will be on clinical practice, theoretical challenges, and non-clinical applications of psychoanalytic theory; all presentations are intended to deepen attendees’ ability to think psychoanalytically. Each session will begin with a presentation followed by questions and answers and open discussion, with the intention of facilitating relaxed, informal peer exchange.

Discussion begins at 11am Central Time at NOBPC or Zoom

Psychoanalytic thinking about termination has shifted away from idealized and homogenous models and towards recognizing limitations, difference, and uncertainty. This presentation will describe common experiences like unexpected, unilateral, or forced terminations and their impact on both therapists and patients. Dr. Sibrack will summarize some ideals of a therapeutic termination phase and review common features in other types of endings that may lead to countertherapeutic activity. Case material, examining specific instances of disillusionment and limitations in therapy, will be complemented by a focused review of literature to highlight ways that therapists can anticipate issues surrounding difficult terminations, avoid defensive action, keep the patient experience in mind, and promote an experience of growth.

Learning Objectives:

• Summarize different types of endings that commonly occur in psychotherapy and analysis
• Discuss common expressions of transference and countertransference that may appear as treatment comes to an end, specifically when termination is forced or unilateral
• Demonstrate how confrontations with limitations and disillusionment in ending a therapy can facilitate growth and/or healing in both analyst and analysand

Please join us at NOBPC or via Zoom. Participation is open to all. In-person space is limited so please register early.

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

• NOBPC members $15
• Non-members $25

Zoom registration ends 24 hours before the event.

Optional Readings:

• • • Gabbard, G. O. (2021) The “dragons of primeval days”: Termination and the persistence of the infantile. International Journal of Psychoanalysis 102:595-602.
    • Flabbi, L. (2019) What Healing Has to Do with Termination: Endings and Interruptions. Division Review 19:45-49.
    • Doorn, K. A. & Wooldridge, T. (2018) The Complexity of Loss during a Forced Termination: A Case Illustration. British Journal of Psychotherapy 34:285-299.
    • Tucker, S. S. (2018) Myths of termination: What patients can teach psychoanalysts about endings. International Journal of Psychoanalysis 99:260-262.

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.

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.

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.

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.