Duration
18 Aug 2025 - 22 Aug 2025
Our course traditionally addresses practical challenges as we face them in our practice of psychodynamic psychotherapy, subjects those phenomena to psychoanalytical theories, and, vice versa, allows our experiences to challenge our theories. We draw on techniques for exploring their origins in attachment processes, their impact on relational patterns and self-image, and their contribution to our capacity for self-reflection and creativity. We will apply core analytical concepts (transference, unconscious organising fantasy) and practices (creating and maintaining therapeutic frame and alliance and managing tensions between them; interpreting dreams, fantasies, defences) on the clinical material presented by the participants. We always find ourselves moved to spontaneously share own experiences; we encourage you to prepare some clinical data in advance (session process notes? supervision notes? notable dreams?)
Usually we pick a theme and then stray far from it. Last summer we picked LONELINESS -- a concept present in socio-cultural and scientific discourse, and a phenomenon that pervades lived human experience, that both precedes and conditions psychotherapy. This year we will pursue several different foci; Peter, while analyzing Hitchcock's 'Rear Window,' will look at the methods of applied psychoanalysis and their relevance for practice, etc.
The goal, as always, is increasing our awareness of, and facility with, our own clinical actions and thinking; being more active and bold in allowing ourselves to hear, absorb and contain, and finally to respond to our patients' emotions, fantasies and aches. This course has proven useful to relative novices and experienced practitioners alike. The collegial, inquisitive spirit we nurture recharges our therapeutic passion and gifts.
Practical matters (fees and hours; lodging)
School fee is Euro 200 (Euro 150 for trainees/early career professionals), payable in cash upon arrival.
We will start Monday Aug 18 and end on Friday 22nd; we meet from 9:00 – 13:00, with rest of the day free. Each day, an introductory lecture is followed by a group discussion of relevant clinical material. Sometimes we divide into small groups to better discuss clinical material, followed by coming together to share insights from groups.
We are meeting at the IUC building, Don Frana Bulica 4, just two hundred meters from the west entrance to the Old City (“Pile”).Lodging needs to be arranged individually by the participants. IUC can help with that.
