The New York Institute for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology

Fourth Year

Most courses meet once a week for 15 weeks, at 90 minutes per session. In order to receive credit for a course, no more than three absences are permitted during a semester. In extenuating circumstances, the candidate may request from the instructor permission to do extra work as compensation for further absences.

401.0 Continuous Case Seminar I

In this seminar the students will follow the progress of clinical cases in order to experience in detail the unfolding of the psychoanalytic process. The experience-near mode of data gathering will be emphasized as the basis for understanding and interpreting in the clinical setting.

402.1 Advanced Seminar on Selfobject Transferences

This seminar will focus on the more traditional selfobject transferences of idealizing, mirroring, and twinship as well as Crayton Rowe's contribution of the undifferentiated selfobject transference. Focus will be on how the development of these transferences takes place and the effect that trauma has on their derailment. As well, a clear distinction will be drawn between the part that "optimal frustration" plays in the healthy development of the selfobject transference and the role of "traumatic frustration" in the arrest of the transference and the formation of symptoms such as addiction, obsessive-compulsivity, hyperactivity, eating disorders, depression, and suicide. A primary text for this course is Crayton Rowe's Treating the Basic Self.

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403.0 Continuous Case Seminar II

This seminar will be a continuation of course 401.0

404.1 Research Methodology in Psychoanalysis

This course will survey the methods used in scientific research as they apply to psychoanalysis and related psychological fields. A primary goal of the course will be to examine the perceived gap between clinical approaches and formal research, and to understand how this gap may be bridged. Topics for reading and discussion will include the basics of observational and experimental methods; the strengths and weaknesses of the individual case study; essential concepts of statistical analysis and experimental design; the application of infant research; direct testing of psychoanalytic theories (especially within self psychology); research on sleep and dreaming; process and outcome research on psychotherapy and psychoanalysis; and finally, what is the difference between experience-near and experience-distant data.

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