NEW DATE Psychoanalytic Explorations: The Use of Countertransference to Identify Change in a Single Case Analysis by Kelly Bolger, PhD

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

Psychotherapists and psychoanalysts often struggle to accurately identify and understand the developmental stages of their patients, particularly those with histories of trauma. This presentation addresses professional competencies around utilizing countertransference therapeutically and assessing changes in countertransference over time as an indicator of therapeutic change. This single case presentation will attempt to demonstrate how the shifting internal experience of the therapist’s mind, in reaction to the patient’s developmental needs, serves to signal the therapist that maturation is occurring. Using clinical material, three distinct developmental stages will be described and explored as the patient and therapist move from a psychotic-like state of organization, through an “acting out” phase, and finally into a symbolic state of mind. Theoretic concepts, linked to each stage, will further aim to expand on the understanding of the developmental process.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how to identify shifts in clinical material and how these shifts are linked to countertransference experience
• Describe how to differentiate countertransference that accurately reflects the patient’s experience from countertransference that interferes with understanding the patient
• Apply theoretical frameworks to understand the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship and the patient’s developmental trajectory

Dr. Bolger is a clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience in private practice. She is in Adult Psychoanalytic training at NOBPC and has organized and contributed to our speaker series for many years. Her past presentations added enthusiasm and sparked people’s interest in countertransference ideas.

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:

• • • Eshel, O. (2019). The vanished last scream: Winnicott and Bion. Psychoanalytic Quarterly 88: 111-140.
    • Civatarese, G. (2019). The concept of time in Bion’s “A theory of thinking.” International Journal of Psycho-Analysis 100: 182-205.
    • Hewitt, M.A. (2014). Freud and the psychoanalysis of telepathy: commentary on Claudie Massicotte’s “Psychical transmissions.” Psychoanalytic Dialogues 24: 103-108.

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.