The I in You by Jeffry Luria, 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.

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.

Discussion begins at 11am Central Time at NOBPC or Zoom

We think about ourselves, but how much do we think about our thinking about our selves? When we do, what is the Self we think about? If I am thinking about myself, who is the I and who is the Self? We will briefly outline the history of narcissism and the Self in western culture from biblical to present days. We will explore the pervasive narcissism of our culture and attempt to re-define the concepts of Self, Narcissism and Well-Being. By redefining we may be more open to appreciating how these concepts inform and deepen our understanding of their influence on the dynamics of transference and countertransference. How much of transference and countertransference is based on the narcissistic processes of both analyst and patient? If so, is the question below a serious one? Is the psychoanalytic relationship a therapeutically necessary narcissistic fever dream progressively disrupted by transient awakenings of the patient and analyst whose successful completion depends on an enduring awakening of both?

Dr. Jeffry Luria, a clinical psychologist/psychoanalyst, began practicing in 1975. He trained as a psychoanalyst at the Post Graduate Center for Mental Health in New York City and later served as a supervising psychoanalyst at two training institutes there. He is a member of the faculty of the New Orleans Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center He is working on a book entitled The I in You, a slightly ego-centric stroll through Self and Narcissism in culture and clinical practice.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the origin, definition, and role of Self in human experience and behavior and increase their awareness of the role of Self in human behavior
• Examine the social and cultural influences that reflect and exacerbate the role of Self in individuals
• Explain the role of Self in transference and countertransference and how it expands the efficacy of psychoanalytic treatment

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.

Fee for 1.5 CME credits:

• NOBPC members $25
• Non-members $35

Zoom registration ends 24 hours before the event.

Optional Readings:

• Fischman, L. G. (2019). Seeing without self: Discovering new meaning with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Neuropsychoanalysis, 21(2), 53–78.
• “A Neural Signature of the Bias Toward Self-Focus” by Danika Geisler et al. Journal of Neuroscience August 25, 2025
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Progress in Understanding and Treatment Am Psychiatr Publ. 2022 Oct;20(4):368-377

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.