Fridays@CCP December 7, 2018
Todd Essig, PhD
(New York, NY)
Psychoanalysis, Technology And Innovation: How “Local Therapy” Is The Future
The Chicago School
325 N. Wells, 4th Floor
Chicago, IL
6:30-7pm: Registration and refreshments
7-9pm: Presentation and discussion
Todd Essig, Ph.D., is a Training and Supervising Psychoanalyst and Faculty in the Adult Certificate Program in Psychoanalysis at the William Alanson White Institute. He has served on the editorial boards for Contemporary Psychoanalysis and JAPA and recently co-edited a special issue of Psychoanalytic Perspectives on psychoanalysis and technology. For 16 years, until 2009, he was Director and Founder of The Psychoanalytic Connection (psychoanalysis.net), becoming widely known among colleagues as a pioneer in the innovative uses of information technologies for mental health professionals. In the aftermath of 9/11 he helped organize and served as Board Chair for the New York Disaster Counseling Coalition (NYDCC). He currently writes “Managing Mental Wealth” for Forbes where he covers the intersection of technology, public life and private experience. His clinical practice is in New York City where he treats individuals and couples, almost all of whom come to his office.
About the presentation: When the words psychoanalysis, technology and innovation are considered together, one might reasonably expect that the innovation then discussed would be a realization of technology’s shimmering promise; psychoanalytic treatment for anyone, anywhere, anytime. Such technologically mediated remote treatment promises democratization, continuity, convenience and cost-effectiveness. This presentation will present an alternative viewpoint. It will argue that such techno-dreams of remote therapy are neither innovative nor a fulfillment of technology’s promise. They are yesterday’s future and offer illusory gains. Instead, innovation is to be found in the differences between remote therapy and local therapy, between physical co-presence and technologically-mediated presence. It will further be argued that a vibrant future for psychoanalysis most likely resides in understanding the limitations, illusions and costs of screen relations and then becoming fierce advocates, both clinically and culturally, to protect intimacies that can only be experienced when people are bodies together.
Learning Objectives
1.Participants will be able to define screen relations
2.Participants will be able to identify 3 qualities that differentiate screen relations from physical co-presence
3.Participants will be able to describe 3 clinical processes fundamentally changed when treatment is conducted remotely
This beginning level presentation will be of interest to graduate students and mental health professionals.
Fees
CCP members: free with annual $150 membership, payable at registration.
Students and Fellows: free with annual $125 membership, payable at registration.
Non-CCP members, single admission: $50
Student non-members, single admission: $15
Fees include refreshments and the presentation.
Continuing Education
This program is sponsored for Continuing Education Credits by the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis. There is no commercial support for this program, nor are there any relationships between the continuing education sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants or other funding that could be construed as conflicts of interest. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If the program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods. The Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis maintains responsibility for this program and its content. CCP is licensed by the state of Illinois to sponsor continuing education credits for Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Counselors and Licensed Clinical Psychologists (license no. 159.000941 and 268.000020 and 168.000238 Illinois Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation).
Professionals holding the aforementioned credentials will receive 2.0 continuing education credits for attending the entire program. To receive these credits a completed evaluation form must be turned in at the end of the presentation. No continuing education credit will be given for attending part of the presentation. Refunds for CE credit after the program begins will not be honored. If a participant has special needs or concerns about the program, s/he should contact Toula Kourliouros Kalven by December 5, 2018 at tkalven@ccpsa.org
References/suggested reading
Brahnam, S. (2017) Comparison of In-Person and Screen- Based Analysis Using Communication Models: A First Step Toward the Psychoanalysis of Telecommunications and Its Noise, Psychoanalytic Perspectives, 14:2, 138-158.
Chavooshi, B., Mohammadkhani, P., & Dolatshahee, B. (2016). Telemedicine vs. in-person delivery of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy for patients with medically unexplained pain: A 12-month randomized, controlled trial. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 23:1, 133-141
Essig T. & Russell, G. I. (2017) A Note From the Guest Editors, Psychoanalytic Perspectives, 14:2, 131-137.
Russell, G. I. (2015). Screen relations: The limits of computer-mediated psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. Karnac Books.
Wallwork, E. (2015). Thinking ethically about beginning online work. Scharff, J. S. (Ed.) Psychoanalysis Online 2: Impact of Technology on Development, Training, and Therapy. Karnac Books., 83-98.
Presented by
The Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis/CCP Program Committee: Carol Ganzer, PhD, Toula Kourliouros Kalven, Adina Bayuk Keesom, PsyD
The Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis is an IRS 501(C)(3) charitable organization, and expenses may be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law and your personal tax situation.
