MISSING IN ACTION:
The Analyst’s Intersubjective Collision with Unsymbolized Thought and Unrepresented Mental States
In response to participants from “Locating Unrepresented Thought” in Spring 2017, we’re elaborating on the interrelationship between intersubjectivity, unrepresented states, and unsymbolized thought and offering more clinical examples of the extended use of the analyst’s mind. We will talk about a relational, intersubjective view whereby thoughts are made from the interactions between subjects. We draw from Ferenczi’s semiotics theory (Aron and Harris, 1997), delineating the progression of symbolization from action to thought: when the capacity for thought is disrupted, the internal object is present as an unsymbolized object in an unrepresented state. The analytic collision with the unsymbolized is then taken up by Ferenczi (1932) and Botella and Botella (2005). We will discuss their emphasis on the importance of making an extended use of the analyst’s mind, such as “working as a double.”
- In their work with their patients, participants will be able to apply intersubjective theory to concepts of unrepresented and unsymbolized thought.
- Participants will analyze and implement a greater use of the analyst's mind in "working as a double" in the clinical setting.
- Participants will be able to describe a nonsymbolic object by learning to differentiate symbolization (word-thoughts) from introjection of objects, and apply these concepts in their clinical work.
- Fonagy, P. (2015). The effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies: an update. World Psychiatry, 14, 137–150.
- Ortigo, K. M, D. Westen, J. A. DeFife, et al. (2013). Attachment, Social Cognition, and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in a Traumatized, Urban Population: Evidence for the Mediating Role of Object Relations. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 26(3), 361–368. doi: 10.1002/jts.21815.
Rose Gupta, Psy.D., LCSW, is a psychoanalyst, clinical social worker, instructor, international speaker and consultant in private practice in San Francisco. Her papers—“Left Too Long: The Disappearing Analyst”; “When the Mind Does Not Arrive; Thinking About Trauma”; “Finding Frankenstein; Estranged from Oneself; and The Frankenstein Metaphor”—focus on negation trauma, intersubjectivity, and unrepresented states.
Mali A. Mann, M.D., is a child and adult psychoanalyst and psychiatrist who practices in Palo Alto and San Francisco. Dr. Mann is SFCP faculty, training and supervising analyst, and a clinical professor at Stanford, where she teaches medical ethics. She is also the Chair of IPA’s Inter-committee on Child Abuse. Her most recent book, Psychoanalytic Aspects of Assisted Reproductive Technology, received several awards.
This course is for psychologists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage, family, child counselors, school and mental health counselors with moderate to extensive clinical experience.
Enrollees who cancel at least SEVEN DAYS prior to the event date will receive a refund minus a $35 administrative charge. No refunds will be allowed after this time. Transfer of registrations are not allowed.
For program related questions contact Julia Conant at drjuliaconant@gmail.com or 415-857-4885.
For questions related to enrollment, locations, CE credit, special needs, course availability and other administrative issues contact Michele McGuinness by email or 415-496-9949.
Education Committee
The Education Committee is responsible for the development of a variety of courses and workshops given throughout the year in San Francisco and the East Bay.