We're thrilled to welcome you into a very special issue this month as local analyst and thinker extraordinaire, Thomas Ogden, grants us an exclusive interview. It's right after our regular features, so please don't miss it. And if you're not already a member, please join NCSPP or contribute to our scholarship fund to assist us in fostering a vibrant psychoanalytic community in Northern California.

The past several weeks have been trying as our economy reels, our elections draw nigh and Presidential candidates are slouching towards Bethlehem. I was thinking today about Neville Symington’s idea of the internal act of freedom. Lately, I have longed for a place in my mind that doesn’t completely fuse with larger cultural anxieties, that allows me to do my work daily with very frightened and panicked patients. I aspire toward a mental equilibrium, where I move amongst neighbors and fellow citizens in line at Peet’s Coffee, shopping for food at the grocery store, waiting in line at the bank (an oasis of calm these days), overhearing tense 401(k) holders and naysayers. Then, I step across the threshold and enter my consulting room. Being here gives me some relief. I spend time with my patients, take some focus off my own worries, work to find a way to suspend the Real – the screams and shouts – and listen for the Unconscious, which doesn’t have a 401(k) plan. As Symington’s idea whispers in my ear, I am reminded that Freud teaches us that the Unconscious of another may act on our Unconscious without passing through the Conscious, and I think to myself, I probably should lay off my news junkie habits and read more Freud right now. Bion’s ideas helped Symington realize that he was actually free to think his own thoughts. So, I am striving for my own internal act of freedom and am calmed by doing my work. I am reminded with awe and respect that Freud has given us a great gift: that we are capable of more than we realize, should we choose to deepen our response to our own thinking. I’d love to sit down right now to a nice strong cup of coffee with Freud and Bion and Symington. I wish their offices were a bit closer to mine.

Warm regards,

Drew Tillotson, Psy.D.
NCSPP President

Editor’s Note: In October’s IMPULSE, Drew Tillotson expressed some of his personal political viewpoints. This was in no way an NCSPP endorsement for any political candidate. These were his personal political views and written within the context of his President’s Remarks column.


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The Platinum Years

I’m just back from back East, celebrating Dad’s 90th birthday. The downside of a father who started his fathering at nearly 50, is having two “generation gaps.” But this dad was on YouTube this year (interviewed at a conference), still teaches international law to grad students at the university, made two business trips to Rio and Vietnam this past summer, lives in the family house without any help and has a much younger girlfriend (76). He regularly drives between his home in the Northeast and Florida and Canada, where he and his partner take their vacations and winter breaks. As a birthday gift,my sisters and I got him an iPhone so he can keep up with his daily email and surfing.

I come from a dark and stormy family past, as many of us do, who become therapists. But Dad has been an inspiration as to how we can live long and stay relatively healthy (he has some medical challenges, to be sure) when we’re deeply engaged in life and relationships.

Freud emphasized the importance of love and work. Meaning and purpose give a reason to get up every day and face the web, our patients, ourselves and our loved ones. Love makes it all the more worth it. How lucky we are as therapists to gain more in time and experience that we can hopefully share with our patients as long as they will have us. The prominent Los Angeles psychoanalyst Hedda Bolgar is 99 and still teaches and sees patients four days a week. A votre santé !

Cleopatra Victoria, MFT
IMPULSE Editor


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In his latest book, Rediscovering Psychoanalysis: Thinking and Dreaming, Learning and Forgetting, internationally influential San Francisco psychoanalyst Thomas H. Ogden invites us to encounter psychoanalysis anew. Drawing on his experience as supervisor, clinician, teacher and reader of psychoanalysis, he explores the process of discovering one's own individual analytic “style.” Cate Corcoran, Psy.D., spoke with Dr. Ogden about his provocative and evocative new book.

Cate Corcoran: The subtitle of your book, Rediscovering Psychoanalysis, is Thinking and Dreaming, Learning and Forgetting. How are learning and forgetting central to rediscovering psychoanalysis?

Thomas Ogden: It has increasingly seemed to me that forgetting is as important a part of becoming a psychoanalyst as is learning. (I use the terms psychoanalyst and psychoanalytic psychotherapist interchangeably.) What one learns in formal analytic training is a body of ideas constituting other people’s ideas of what it is to be an analyst. In order to become an analyst in one’s own terms, one must overcome or “forget” what one has learned. Conceiving of learning and forgetting in this way has led me to differentiate the idea of analytic technique from the idea of analytic style (though the two overlap). I think of analytic technique as a way of practicing psychoanalysis that has been developed by a branch or group of branches of our analytic ancestry. As such, it is not one’s own creation. Developing an analytic style, on the other hand, is a life-long process in which the analyst becomes increasingly able to make use of his or her own unique personality and life experience. One’s analytic style is reflected in the consulting room in the way one thinks, listens, speaks, makes use of humor, irony, metaphor, and so on. In other words, analytic style reflects the way in which the analyst dreams up, rediscovers, psychoanalysis with each patient in each session.

C. C.: What do you mean by dreaming when you say the analyst “dreams up” psychoanalysis with each patient?

T. O.: I use the term dreaming to refer to our most powerful form of thinking and feeling — powerful in the sense of emotionally intense, most penetrating and most self-transformative. Dreaming, as discussed by Bion, is a form of thinking that we do continually both while we are awake and asleep. It is a form of thinking in which we are able to view our lived experience from multiple vantage points simultaneously (just as every dream image conveys multiple meanings and perspectives derived from multiple periods of our life). By contrast, waking thinking is more limited in that it involves thinking that is predominantly based on linear, sequential, cause-and-effect logic.

C. C.: You don’t mean that each of us invents a different psychoanalysis, do you? In that event wouldn’t the term lose its meaning?

T. O.: It is important to keep in mind that one cannot forget what one has never known. In order to forget the “analytic technique” passed down by our forebears (including our own analyst, supervisors and favorite analytic writers), we must first develop a mastery of analytic theory and practice to the point that it is in our bones. Artists — and I believe that the practice of psychoanalysis is an art, not a science — must master the discipline of their craft before they are able to transform the craft into an art. A musician must learn how to play the notes before he or she can make music.

Psychoanalysis, from its inception, has been a talking therapy, but it is very difficult to learn to talk with a patient in a way that one has never spoken with any other person — and it is this that we ask of ourselves as clinicians. It is this that I am referring to when I speak of rediscovering psychoanalysis. When I am able to do so, it is unmistakable to me that I am in the process of becoming more fully myself, a person I have never been before (and I am quite sure that the patient feels much the same way). I feel very fortunate to be able to spend my life engaged in such conversations.

C. C.: It is clear from reading your book that you have found a way of using Bion’s “Clinical Seminars” in a unique way.

T. O.: Yes, I find the “Clinical Seminars” to be invaluable in the way they provide the reader a sense of Bion the clinician. Even though he is not the analyst for the patient being presented in each of the seminars, the reader is able to watch Bion invent a form of psychoanalysis that only he practices. If anyone else practiced analysis as Bion did, he or she would be merely an imitator of Bion, not an analyst.

C. C.: Perhaps this is an unfair question, but is there a chapter or chapters in your new book that are your favorites?

T. O.: No, it’s not an unfair question. I’ve been asking myself that same question. As I let go of my role as writer of Rediscovering Psychoanalysis, and join those who are the readers of this book, each chapter makes its own impression on me. At the moment, the chapter that is most alive for me is the one titled “Bion’s Four Principles of Mental Functioning.” I find it very useful in my own thinking to express a complex set of ideas in as few words as possible. In this way I am sometimes able to capture essences that have to that point been invisible to me. In my previous book, This Art of Psychoanalysis: Dreaming Undreamt Dreams and Interrupted Cries, I attempted in one of the chapters to “define” psychoanalysis in two paragraphs—clearly an impossible task. In the new book, I attempt, in the space of a single paragraph, to state what I believe to be the four principle ideas underlying the entirety of Bion’s opus from his earliest work (Experiences in Groups) to his late works (including the “Clinical Seminars,” which he conducted when he was close to 80).

I found something surprising in the course of reviewing the entire body of Bion’s work, as I wrote that chapter: it seemed to me that there are four very simple, elegant principles that underlie all that he wrote. Before undertaking that study of Bion, it would have seemed to me unlikely that four principles ran through a body of writing and lecturing that spanned more than 40 years, and which included so many sets of metaphors and models of mental functioning—for example, his idea of the work group and the basic assumption groups; the theory of alpha function; the grid; L, H and K linkages; the container-contained; the concept of O; and on and on.

As I studied Bion’s use of these metaphors, it seemed that each of these metaphors or models grew stale for Bion, and when that happened, he let go of it and invented a new set of metaphors. For example, after writing Experiences in Groups, in which he introduced the metaphor of the work group and the basic assumption groups, he never again used any of these terms even though that book remains to this day the core of the psychoanalytic conception of group process. The same is true for his theory of alpha function (which he used from about 1958 to 1962, and rarely mentioned thereafter), and for each of his subsequent models. Of course, my “four principles” are intended not as a conclusion, but as an invitation to readers to develop their own ways of describing what they believe to be the essential elements of Bion’s thinking.

C. C.: I think a good many of our readers will want to take you up on that invitation. Thank you for agreeing to talk with me about your book.

T. O.: It was my pleasure.

Cate Corcoran, Psy.D.
IMPULSE Editor Emeritus


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Appointment Book offers a sampling of the psychoanalytically oriented events taking place in Northern California over the coming month. Where available, simply click an event title to view details on the sponsoring organization's web site.

SFCP Peninsula Seminar: Shame Veiled and Unveiled
Sat, Nov 1 / 9 AM - 12 PM / Christ Episcopal Church 1040 Border Road / Los Altos
SFCP / (415) 563-5815 / Mali Mann, M.D. / $75

SFCP Opera on the Couch: Boris Gudunov
Sun, Nov 2 / 5 PM / Books Inc. Opera Plaza, Van Ness / San Francisco
SFCP / (415) 563-5815 / Steven Goldberg, M.D. / free

Henri Rey and the Reparative Function
Wed, Nov 5 (begins) / 7:30 PM - 9 PM / St. John's Presbyterian Church / Berkeley
NCSPP / (415) 457-9949 / Bob Bartner, Ph.D. / $110 - $265

SFCP Community Members East Bay Clinical Forum
Wed, Nov 5 / 7 PM - 9 PM / Herrick Hospital 2001 Dwight Way, Rm CC / Berkeley
SFCP / (415) 563-5815 / Ortal Kirson-Trilling, Psy.D. and Alice Jones, M.D. / free

Beyond the Consulting Room: A Conversation with Maureen Murphy, Ph.D.
Fri, Nov 7 / 7 PM - 9 PM / Address will be emailed to registrants / San Francisco
NCSPP / (510) 273-9229 / Maureen Murphy, Ph.D. / $10 - $12

SFCP Totc: Quality of Life (Jane Anderson)
Fri, Nov 7 / 8:05 PM / ACT, Geary St. / San Francisco
SFCP / (415) 563-5815 / Mardi Horowitz, M.D. and Linda Lagemann, Ph.D. / $10 - $42

SFCP Conversation on Adolescents: Sex and Sexualities
Sat, Nov 8 / 10 AM - 12 PM / Flamingo Conf. Resort and Spa, 2777 4th St. / Santa Rosa
SFCP / (415) 563-5815 / Maureen Katz, M.D. / free

Geographical Dislocation, Mourning, and the Healing Impact of Poetry
Sat, Nov 8 / 9 AM - 3:30 PM / Preservation Park, Nile Hall, 668 13th Street / Oakland
The Psychotherapy Institute / (510) 548-2250 ext. 106 / Salman Akhtar, M.D. / $105 - $155

SFCP Scientific Meeting with Antonino Ferro
Mon, Nov 10 / 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM / 2340 Jackson St., 4th Floor / San Francisco
SFCP / (415) 563-5815 / Antonino Ferro, M.D. / free

SFCP Community Members Welcoming Event
Mon, Nov 10 / 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM / 2340 Jackson St., 4th Floor / San Francisco
SFCP / (415) 563-5815 / free

SFCP Psychoanalytic Students Seminar: Countertransference
Wed, Nov 12 (begins) / 7:30 PM - 9 PM / 2340 Jackson St., 4th Floor / San Francisco
SFCP / (415) 563-5815 / Catherine Mallouh, M.D. / free

SFCP Ext. Div. Day Long with Antonino Ferro
Sat, Nov 15 / 8:25 AM - 3:30 PM / UCSF Laurel Heights, 3333 California Street / San Francisco
SFCP / (415) 563-5815 / Antonino Ferro, M.D. / $55 - $155

Lutecium Film Event: Are you going Hollywood?
Sat, Nov 15 / 1 PM - 5 PM / Alliance Française, 1345 Bush St. / San Francisco
LPTG / Eric Essman, M.A., Jacques Siboni, M.D., and Garrick Duckler, Ph.D. / $10 - $20 / NOTA

SFCP Peninsula Seminar: How Do We Listen, What Do We Hear?
Sat, Nov 15 / 9 AM - 12 PM / Christ Episcopal Church, 1040 Border Road / Los Altos
SFCP / (415) 563-5815 / Sharon Levin, LCSW and Susan Yamaguchi, LCSW / $75

Lutecium Workshop: The Ethics of Psychoanalysis
Sun, Nov 16 / 11 AM - 3 PM / 870 Market St., Rm. TBA / San Francisco
LPTG / Jacques Siboni, M.D. / $20 - $60

SFCP Community Members SF Clinical Forum
Tue, Nov 18 / 7 PM - 9:30 PM / 2340 Jackson St., 4th Floor / San Francisco
SFCP / (415) 563-5815 / Sheena Craig, MFT, and Erin Mullin, Ph.D. / free

SFCP Community Members South Bay Clinical Forum
Tue, Nov 18 / 7 PM - 9:30 PM / Psychiatry Buiding, 401 Quarry Rd. Rm 2209 / Stanford
SFCP / (415) 563-5815 / TBA / free

SFCP Grand Rounds at Stanford: A Tour of the PDM
Wed, Nov 19 / 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM / Psychiatry Buiding, 401 Quarry Rd. Rm 2209 / Stanford
SFCP / (415) 563-5815 / Neil Brast, M.D. / free

Lutecium: Case Conference with Jacques Siboni, M.D.
Thu, Nov 20 / 6 PM - 8 PM / 870 Market St., Rm. TBA / San Francisco
LPTG / Jacques Siboni, M.D. / $20 - $60

Lutecium: Writing Group Reception Night
Fri, Nov 21 / 6 PM - 8 PM / 870 Market St., Rm. TBA / San Francisco
LPTG / Michelle Baker, M.A. & group participants / free

On Corruption in Perversion: A Psychoanalytic Approach
Tue, Dec 2 (begins) / 7:30 PM - 9 PM / SFCP, 2340 Jackson Street, 4th Floor / San Francisco
NCSPP / (415) 457-9949 / Margo Chapin, MFT / $75 - $165

To submit an event, please see our submission guidelines.

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ATTACHMENT, RELATIONAL THERAPY, MINDFULNESS & THE BODY: With David Wallin, Ph.D., January 17, 2009, 9 am – 4 pm. CIP Members: $90, Non-Members: $120. 415-459-5999 x 101.

UNDERSTANDING HAKOMI AND ITS USES IN PSYCHOTHERAPY: With Rob Fisher, MFT, beginning Wednesday Jan 21 (4 weeks) 1 PM – 3 PM. CIP Members: $120, Non-members: $160. 415-459-5999 x 101.

I AM INTERESTED IN A SUBLET: In a downtown analytic office for T, W, and Th mornings. Please contact Marian Joycechild, (415) 346-9466.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR—THE PSYCHOTHERAPY INSTITUTE BERKELEY, CA: October 15, 2008. The Psychotherapy Institute is seeking a new Executive Director with strong administrative experience and clinical acumen to lead our well established and successful organization beginning in early 2009. Our website at www.tpi-berkeley.org provides an overview of our activities and a detailed job description for the Executive Director position. 30 hours/week, Salary $60,000 - $80,000 DOE (FTE), plus health and pension benefits. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to jobapplication@tpi-berkeley.org by no later than November 14, 2008. Position open until filled. Applications without an individualized cover letter will not be considered.

CLINICAL WORK GROUP FOR PSYCHOANALYTIC PSYCHOTHERAPISTS: This group will make use of psychoanalytic thinking to inform a collaborative and supportive environment in which members will develop skills and capacities of central importance to their work as psychoanalytic psychotherapists. Listening together to ongoing case presentations, we will study and consider all elements of the therapeutic relationship, focusing particularly on transference, countertransference, containment and the art of interpretation. Mondays 12:50 pm–2:15 pm. 3321 Sacramento Street, San Francisco. Contact Beth Steinberg, Ph.D., (415) 441-5302, besteinberg@comcast.net.


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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