Community Events (non-Alliance)

Presenter: Bradford Cokelet, PhD

The psychoanalyst W.R. Bion emphasized the need to construct models to aid reflection on the complexity of analytic interaction. Inspired by his example, this program explores elements of a “listening grid” that an analyst might use to help reflect upon the “data” of a session. Eaton will present three short lectures aimed at stimulating discussion on the complexity of the listening process.

Beginning with Fromm's assertion of a "social unconscious" and vignettes from the 50s and 60s that illustrate how clinical interpretations can contribute to reproducing a sexist status quo, the presentation demonstrates how unconscious psychosocial processes permeate identity formation and clinical work. Examples of racist, sexist, and classist enactments in the clinic demonstrate the workings of normative unconscious processes that sustain cultural and power inequalities.

Together with the growing popularity of what is referred to as contemporary or post-Kleinian psychoanalysis, it may be seen that the term “Kleinian” has come to refer to a very broad and diverse set of approaches—some even diametrically opposed to each other. This highlights the question of what essentially makes analytic work “Kleinian”. In this lecture I will present my perspective on this controversial question and will argue for the importance of addressing it.

Psychoanalytic clinicians have steadily expanded their focus to include diversity and inclusion as matters of priority in both the consulting room and for psychoanalytic teaching and training. This attention has spawned a broad range of relevant reflections, ranging from the role of historical racial trauma to a renewed interest in public mental health. Some institutes are experimenting with options to recognize the work that analytic clinicians do in the community and count those endeavors towards training hours.