Fridays @ CCP Lecture Series
Peter Reiner, PhD., LMFT
(Chicago, Il)
March 11, 2022
Projective and Introjective Identification: Graphic Illustrations from Couples Therapy
7-9pm (CST) :ZOOM Presentation & Discussion
Because this presentation involves extensive use of videotaped examples with superimposed transcriptions, participants are strongly urged to join using devices with larger screens.
****A recording will NOT be available for this session****
About the presentation: The central role of projective and introjective identification in bridging partners’ internal and external worlds, and in increasing role polarization or fostering empathic connection, will be illustrated using a videotaped consultation interview with a married couple. This clinically-focused presentation includes brief commentary about key elements of projective identification, splitting, holding, and containment.
Excerpts from a consultation interview will be presented, including the following:
1. A powerful, clinically-significant sequence of projective/introjective identification between spouses at the very beginning that reveals core relationship dynamics and issues, which are later the topic of heated discussions;
2. Sequences of projective/introjective identification that contribute to the polarization of the couple into “pursuer” and “distancer” roles (“splitting”), thus demonstrating their key role in mediating between the intrapsychic and the interpersonal (or systemic);
3.Examples of projective/introjective identification between the husband and the therapist that positively and negatively affect the empathic connection, illustrating challenges in “containment” and “holding.”
Peter Reiner, PhD, LMFT is Vice-President and Faculty of the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis (CCP), Faculty at The Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, and was Coordinator of Clinical Training at the Family Institute of Chicago. Peter is an award-winning teacher who has led more than 50 graduate and post-graduate classes or seminars in systemically-oriented couple and family psychotherapy and psychodynamically-oriented psychotherapy. Dr. Reiner has written at length about the training and supervision of psychodynamically-oriented couple and family therapists, including “Training psychodynamic family therapists,” (in Lebow, Chambers, & Breunlin [Eds.] Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy, 2017) and “Systemic psychodynamic supervision,” (in Todd & Storm [Eds.], The Complete Systemic Supervisor: Context, Philosophy, and Pragmatics [2nd ed.], 2014). Dr. Reiner maintains a private practice in Chicago of psychoanalysis; psychoanalytic and systemic psychotherapy with individuals, couples, and families; and consultation.
Learning objectives:
1. Participants will be able to appreciate key role of projective identification in translating between the intrapsychic and the interpersonal realms.
2.Participants will be able to identify principles for intervening with narcissistically-vulnerable couples.
This is an All Level presentation.
Fees
CCP members: free with annual $175 membership, payable at registration.
Students:free with annual $150 membership, payable at registration.
Fellows: free with annual $150 membership, payable at registration.
Non-CCP members, single admission: $50
Student non-members, single admission: $15
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 and licensed psychologists must first complete a brief exam on the subject matter. 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 /they should contact Toula Kourliouros Kalven by March 10, 2022 at: tkalven@ccpsa.org
References/Suggested Reading
Lansky, M. (1986). Marital therapy for narcissistic disorders. In N. Jacobson & A. Gurman (Eds.), Clinical handbook of marital therapy (pp. 557-574). NY: Guilford.
Nielsen, A. (2019). Projective identification in couples. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 67(4), 593-624.
Reiner, P. (2017). Training psychodynamic family therapists. In J. Lebow, A. Chambers, & D. Breunlin (Eds.), Encyclopedia of couple and family therapy, (DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-15877-8_665-1). Springer International Publishing AG.
Ringstrom, P. (2018). Relational psychoanalytic perspective on couples psychotherapy. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 38(5), 399-408.
Scharff, D., & de Varela, Y. (2006). A clinical introduction to couple therapy. In J. Scharff & D. Scharff (Eds.), New paradigms for treating relationships, (pp. 43-50). Lanham, MD: J. Aronson.
Presented by
The Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis/CCP Program Committee: Carol Ganzer, PhD, Toula Kourliouros Kalven, Alan Levy, PhD.
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.