We hope that you enjoy this month's issue, and we hope you'll join NCSPP or contribute to our scholarship fund to assist us in fostering a vibrant psychoanalytic community in Northern California.

As summer approaches, we wind down just a bit, take time with family and loved ones, and hopefully create some psychic space to reflect on what we have learned and are learning.

Dr. Alan Kessler recently presented on Masochism and Self-Defeat with discussant, Dr. Charles Fisher, at our Spring Scientific Meeting. I was intrigued by their discussion of the mutative qualities of interpretation in contrast to the therapeutic action of the relationship between patient and analyst/therapist. It wasn’t as if they were saying that interpretation was superior to relationship, nor was relationship the only transformative way to the truth. Rather, their discussion got me thinking about interpretation within the matrix of the therapeutic encounter and the power of the analytic relationship.

How do we come to say what we say to our patients? From where do we muster the authority to make interpretations? Do we risk being the “sadist”? Does our understanding come from something in the relationship between the patient and us? How do reverie, imagery, history and countertransference affect what we offer and understand in any given moment? Obviously, we live daily with these questions. I found myself seeking out the late Stephen Mitchell and offer you the following quote:

“... In the self-authorizing empowerment of the analytic process, the analyst's traditional rank-pulling can only be counter productive. Yet it is important that the analyst be able to hold onto a sense of the value of his or her input as offering potential utility for meaning-making, self-expansion, and self-reflection... Can the patient learn to take in something important from the analyst without risking impossible self-betrayal in a myriad of forms? Can the analyst hold on to the sense that she or he has something important to offer despite the patient's well-earned wariness of such claims in others? It is precisely in their collaborative struggle to find a way to make that possible that the most important analytic work is done.” –Mitchell, S.A. (1998). The Analyst's Knowledge and Authority. The Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 67:1-31.

I hope your summer is going along swimmingly.

Warm regards,

Drew Tillotson, Psy.D.
President NCSPP


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Invited to a friend’s goth wedding, I’m writing this from Las Vegas, a literal hotbed of manic defenses, as well as a Kleinian wonderland of maternal abundance (the good breast, everyone?) on public display. Before leaving, I sent a Father’s Day card to my former analyst, chronicling certain recent activities that could be construed as acts of independence, but which also, I realized, might be interpreted as rebellion. And, it’s nearing July 4th, so this piece is about freedom.

This summer, declare independence from your bad internal objects and persecutory anxieties. Shoo away your ghosts and invite them back into the house when they can behave like proper ancestors. Liberate yourself from your cherished, dog-eared theories and dabble in some new-to-you thinking - Ferro, Mitriani, Green, Chasseguet-Smirgel, Schore, whoever. Unshackle your treatment plan and get supervision, join a case conference, or cappuccino consult with a colleague. Take a class at what feels like a rogue institute. Rebel, people!

The wedding was held at night in the desert. In the chapel, fog was piped in to create a gothic ambience. Our party was garbed in black, head-to-toe. The bride wore a flowing black patent dress and clung to a bouquet of velvety black roses. The groom donned an ankle-length Rifle Frock Coat, the traditional coat of the Wild West. Not-so-traditional vows were exchanged and our party dined post-nuptials at the immense buffet in the Bellagio Hotel. Walking back to my room, a wife screeched at her husband for calling her a #@!% in front of their friends. “But, you are a #@!% ,” he calmly replied. In the corridor, I passed two men talking in low tones and overheard the phrase “allocation of marital assets.” May I offer anyone a manic defense? Please, help yourself. Anyone for seconds?

Unpacking, I realized I forgot my SPF 50. The Wolfman and Other Cases had not fit into my carry-on. (OK, I didn’t try that hard). I’d brought a BCBG silver lamé swimsuit and a capacity for play. I won’t gamble a nickel. Independence? Rebellion? Manic defenses? As we say back home...whatever.

Cleopatra Victoria, MFT
IMPULSE Editor

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Lutecium Psychoanalytic Training Group, San Francisco, California, is steeped within the Freudian and Lacanian traditions and incorporates the latest in contemporary critical thought: postmodern, postcolonial, feminist, transnational, and queer theories.

We are closely affiliated with Dimensions de la Psychanalyse in Paris and are dedicated to exploring the interactions between the social, political, and personal. We hold open seminars for those interested in psychoanalytic studies and offer formal training for clinicians seeking to practice psychoanalysis.

It is our belief that an intellectual cultural exchange fosters a greater consciousness of the history and location of our own psychoanalytic work. We believe that diversity and difference ignite Transmission so that the torch can be fueled by those who hold it and then pass it on. It is the delicacy and virtue of The Pass that both preserves and revolutionizes the inheritance and exchange of psychoanalysis.

For more information about Lutecium visit www.lutecium.us and join us for the summer Open House: Friday, July 25, 6pm-9pm, Flood Building, 870 Market Street, San Francisco.

Rebecca Bauknight, Ph.D.
President


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The Privilege of Knowing You: Transference and Countertransference in Clinical Practice

Are you looking for a small, stimulating, year-long course to deepen your understanding of psychoanalytic psychotherapy? Are you in need of diverse viewpoints and a learning community to support your clinical work? Then register for the 2008-09 San Francisco/ East Bay Intensive Study Group.

In the tradition of the ISG, we seek to open up a familiar concept and enliven it with new perspectives. The 2008/09 courses examine transference and countertransference, engaging participants in a lively debate as to how these ideas are applied in clinical practice. Topics to be addressed, among others, include: transference as a ‘here and now’ phenomenon; co-creation of the relationship; use of countertransference to understand transference; and the influence of culture. The course includes a strong clinical focus.

Registration will be on a first come, first served basis.

For information please visit www.ncspp.org/learning/isg.html.

To submit an event, please see our submission guidelines.

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BIONIAN CLINICAL STUDY GROUPS: Oakland Wed. 10-11:30 and S.F. Thurs. 3:15-4:45. Space available Sept. 2008. Bion-inspired, including models/ theories from: infant observation, attachment theory, child analysis; affective, developmental neuroscience; work of BPCSG. Case focused; initial didactic seminar for newcomers. Dr. Dawn Farber, Psy.D. MFT; private practices Oakland, San Francisco. Personal and Supervising Analyst, Faculty at PINC. (415) 673-7744, rori4@comcast.net. $50 per meeting. 8 people max.

STUDY GROUP: Studying Bion in a group, alternating cases with close reading is a rich method for using Bion's theories of mind. One opening in on-going group, Wednesdays, 12-1:15pm, $45. Oakland. (510) 654-2420, kellerphd@gmail.com.

CONSULTATION GROUP: One opening in consultation group with Eileen Keller. Currently reading Winnicott's "Playing and Reality" alternating with case consultation. Thursdays, 12:30-1:50pm, $50. Oakland. Twelve week commitment, August off. (510) 654-2420, kellerphd@gmail.com.

JUNGIAN AND CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOANALYTIC CASE CONSULTATION AND READING GROUP TO DISCUSS BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS: San Francisco. Led by Liza Ravitz, Ph.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst. Begins September, every other week, Thursdays, 12:15-1:45, $50.00. For interns, psych assistants and therapists. The expressive arts, especially SANDPLAY, will be included. (415) 931-6135.

PSYCHOANALYTIC STUDY GROUP: Focus is "Addressing Primitive Anxieties" - forming Fall '08. By discussing seminal readings & case presentations, we will expand interpretation skills with our most challenging cases. On-going group meets weekly, Thursdays from 10:15-11:45 AM. Contact Dori Dubin, Psy.D., LCSW, BCD-P (510) 547-2522.

PSYCHOANALYTIC CASE CONSULTATION AND READING GROUP: Ongoing group with openings in September. Focus is on the diagnostic and creative use of the therapist’s internal states. The context is multi-theoretical, drawing on Klein, Bion, Middle School and Intersubjective. Friday afternoons. Oakland. CE credit may be available. PSYCHOANALYTIC WRITING GROUP: Starting in September. A supportive group for those already writing or for those wanting to start. Focus will be on helping each member to develop their unique style and form of analytic writing. Wednesday or Saturday mornings. Oakland. 8 session commitment. Every other week. Annie Sweetnam, Ph.D. has a practice of psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic therapy in Berkeley. She has published on several psychoanalytic subjects, including most recently on the capacity to experience beauty. In several of her articles she has used experimental writing styles to convey different types of clinical experience. (510) 428-2913. Anniesweetnam@sbcglobal.net.

SEEKING FULL-TIME OFFICE: Licensed therapist seeking full-time office (or at least 4 days a week) preferably in the Divisadero, Cow Hollow, Pacific Heights, or Laurel areas. Please call (415) 820-1554.


Old couches, new books, hot jobs, cool internships? Post classified ads on NCSPP's online bulletin board at no charge. We will also feature your listing in IMPULSE for a modest fee. Please see our submission guidelines for details.

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The Northern California Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology (NCSPP) is committed to the study of psychoanalytic psychology and the encouragement of its interest in the professional and general communities. We are a multi-disciplinary, non-profit membership organization open to mental health professionals and all others interested in the study of psychoanalytic psychology.

Our more than 650 members form a community that spans the greater Bay Area and Northern California. NCSPP is a local affiliate of Division 39 (psychoanalysis) of the American Psychological Association. Our vast array of lectures, intensive study groups, scientific meetings, courses, our journal fort da, and numerous special events and projects are all brought to you by scores of volunteers who work to support NCSPP's mission. Our educational programs include continuing education credit for psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and licensed clinical social workers. We welcome you into the psychoanalytic community in Northern California. Join us.

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Drew Tillotson, Psy.D., NCSPP President
Cleopatra Victoria, M.A., MFT, Editor-in-Chief
Bruce Weitzman, MFT, Managing Editor
Meg Earls, M.A., Features Editor
Terra Morais, M.A., Appointment Book Editor
Drew Hutchinson, M.A., Editor-at-Large
Michele McGuinness, Production Manager
Cate Corcoran, Psy.D., Brad Falconer, M. A., Editors Emeritus

Each month, IMPULSE reaches over 1,830 psychoanalytically interested professionals and students in Northern California.

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IMPULSE is a monthly newsletter published by the Northern California Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology for the purpose of connecting Northern California psychoanalytic practitioners, students, and scholars. IMPULSE aims to foster the development of psychoanalytic practice and thought in our region through collaboration and understanding.

For information on submitting event listings and other content to IMPULSE, please see our guidelines and policies page on the NCSPP web site.

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IMPULSE is published electronically once a month by the Northern California Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology. Comments are welcome and should be sent via our online contact form.

You are receiving this monthly newsletter from the Northern California Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology (NCSPP) because of your interest in psychoanalysis. Any mental health professional or student interested in psychoanalytic thought may subscribe free to IMPULSE, regardless of organizational affiliation. To ensure that IMPULSE isn't misidentified as junk mail, we recommend adding impulse@ncspp.org to your email program's address book. If you haven't done so already, click to confirm your interest in subscribing. To unsubscribe, click the SafeUnsubscribe link at the bottom of this message.

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