DSPP 2009-2010 PROGRAM
Clinical Technique: The Nuts and Bolts of Treatment
2009-2010 DSPP Program Year Introduction

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Schedule

Among Freud’s earliest writings were those centered on the techniques of psychoanalysis. These included such “ordinary advisements” as the setting of fees to the arrangement of the analytic setting. Perhaps the earliest clinical technique was simply the directive to the patient to “say what comes to mind”. Free association remains the cornerstone of analytic methods but in the past hundred years the evolution of psychoanalysis has produced a diversity of techniques shaped by varying theoretical perspectives, clinical populations, and individual practitioners.

The practice of our profession rests on a foundation of theory. It may ground our understanding but eventually it must be converted into action. Ultimately, our clinical practice comes down to what we do: what we say, how we say it and when we say it. Our practice occurs in the extemporaneous moment. These moments are difficult to capture but they constitute the essence of our work. Our objective for this program year is to explore some of the diversity in clinical techniques as well as the structure that supports those clinical moments that change lives.

We begin with some reflections from Jerry Melchioide on the ways in which psychoanalytic technique has evolved in recent years with an emphasis on his own methods of practice. We then turn to our invited speaker, Fred Busch, MD, who has written extensively on clinical technique and is the author of two influential books: The Ego as the Center of Clinical Technique and Rethinking Clinical Technique. In this workshop, Dr. Busch will emphasize the “process” nature of our clinical knowledge and what guides his thinking into action.

Clinical technique develops through study, practice and supervision. In November, Joan Berger, Ph.D. will demonstrate a “live” supervision process followed by group reflection and discussion. The goal will be to provide a glimpse into our clinical practices and what shapes our choices in the moment.

Marital therapy offers unique challenges to the clinician. To work with often conflicting and competing agendas requires a degree of neutrality that is difficult to maintain and yet essential to effective treatment. In January, a panel consisting of Beverly Bonnheim, LCSW, Wendy Palmer, LCSW, Jennifer Unterberg, Ph.D., and Carla Pulliam, Ph.D., will explore a variety of issues and considerations relevant to the practice of couples therapy

In contemporary techniques of psychotherapy, time constraints and affordability have gained increasing importance. Thus short-term therapies are often the rule of the day. Interestingly, Freud himself has provided some rich clinical case material, demonstrating how quick, on-the-go therapeutic interventions can be quite effective, even if they take place at most unsuspected moments in the most unlikely places. To give us a sampling of such a case, Scott Churchill, Ph.D., will present and critique Freud’s “Single Session Treatment of Katharina” for our February program.

Having explored a variety of clinical methods and techniques representing a number of approaches, Angelica Tratter, Ph.D., and Neil Ravella, Ph.D. will offer some integrative commentaries on this year’s program theme and discuss how technique shapes their work.

Lastly, Larry Thornton, MD will close the program year with his reflections on a case of individual analytic treatment as source material for our final exploration and discussion of clinical technique

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DSPP 2009-2010 PROGRAM Clinical Technique: The Nuts and Bolts of Treatment September 16, 2009 Evolving Views on Psychoanalytic Technique Reading: Fred Busch, Cordelia Schmidt-Hellerau: How Can We Know What We Need to Know? Reflections on Clinical Judgment Formation. Gerald Melchiode, MD Wednesday, September 16, 2009 7:00-9:00 PM 8340 Meadow Road (Pecan Creek Office Park) October 10, 2009 “Creating a Psychoanalytic Mind”: Psychoanalytic Knowledge as a Process Fall Workship with Fred Busch, MD Training and Supervising Analyst at Psychoanalytic Institute of New England, East, Needham, Massachusetts Readings: Fred Busch: ‘I Noticed’: The emergence of self-observation in relationship to pathological attractor sites; and ‘Can you push a camel through the eye of a needle?’, Reflections on how the unconscious speaks to us and its clinical implications. Saturday, October 10, 2009 8:30AM-4:00PM UTSW 2201 Inwood Rd. Room NC8.212 November 18, 2009 Techniques of Clinical Supervision: A Demonstration Reading: Daniel Jacobs, Paul David, Donald Jay Meyer: The Supervisory Encounter Joan Berger, Ph.D. Wednesday, November 18, 2009 7:00-9:00PM 8340 Meadow Road (Pecan Creek Office Park) January 20, 2010 Techniques of Marital Therapy Panel: Beverly Bonnheim, LCSW, Wendy Palmer, LCSW, Jennifer Unterberg, Ph.D., Carla Pulliam, Ph.D. Reading: Paul Wachtel: Reframing, Relabeling, and Paradox, and Elen F. Wachtel, Postscript: Therapeutic Communication with Couples Wednesday, January 20, 2010 7:00-9:00 PM 8340 Meadow Road (Pecan Creek Office Park) February 17, 2010 Taking Therapy into the Hills: Freud’s Single Session Treatment of Katharina Discussant: Scott Churchill, Ph.D Wednesday, February 17, 2009 7:00-9:00 PM 8340 Meadow Road (Pecan Creek Office Park) March 17, 2010 Some Reflections on Clinical Technique Discussants: Angelica Tratter, Ph.D., and Neil F. Ravella, Ph.D. Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:00-9:00PM 8340 Meadow Road (Pecan Creek Office Park) April 21, 2010 Individual Analytic Technique Presenter: Larry Thornton, MD Wednesday, April 21, 2010 7:00-9:00 PM 8340 Meadow Road (Pecan Creek Office Park)

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