FOUNDATIONS: FREUD
WORKING WITH OEDIPAL DEVELOPMENT
Opening to and Healing Desire
There is nothing in psychoanalytic theory as central as the Oedipal Complex. This is the case not only because Freud used the classical myth of Oedipus to describe what he discovered to be the central developmental conflict of his patients, but also because as psychoanalytic theory has evolved, the myth of Oedipus has come to be seen as having an even more important role: that of elucidating the central organizing principle of the mind itself. Psychoanalysis began as a technique for freeing up blockages in desire that Freud thought created neurosis. In this class, we will take a fresh look at Oedipal dynamics in an effort to understand how the inhibition or liberation of desire works to either free the mind and its development, or constrict it. Through this study, I hope students will gain an understanding as to why the Oedipal Complex remains of central value both theoretically and clinically.
At the conclusion of this course participants will be able to:
- Describe the central themes of the oedipal complex as envisioned by Freud.
- Discuss the differences between the positive and negative oedipal and describe the importance developmentally between each.
- Describe a least three aspects of the oedipal myth which describe the central conflicts which Freud and others identified as core challenges which must be worked through developmentally.
- Explain several important aspects of the oedipal myth which express the need to withhold the truth from oneself.
- Discuss the differences between the female experience as described by the myth of Persephone with the male experience of the oedipal. They will also be able to understand the central feminine conflicts which girls struggle with in their development through the oedipal conflict.
- Clinically assess various levels of desire which are either repressed, or supported and expanded through the experience of oedipal development .
Bazan, A, K. V. Draege, L. D. Kock, et al. (2013). Empirical evidence for Freud's theory of primary process mentation in acute psychosis. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 30(1), 57–74.
Leichsenring, F., & Rabung, S. (2011). Long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in complex mental disorders: update of a meta-analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 199, 15-22.
Maat, S. de, F. deJonghe, R. deKraker, et al. (2013). The current state of the empirical evidence for psychoanalysis: A meta-analytic approach. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 21(3), 107–137.
Robert Bartner, Ph.D., MFT, is a faculty member and personal and supervising psychoanalyst at PINC and adjunct faculty member at SFCP. Dr. Bartner has a private practice in Oakland where he practices psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy with individuals and couples. He teaches widely, provides clinical consultation, and leads private study groups.
This intermediate class is for clinicians with some basic understanding of and appreciation for psychoanalytic theory. It will focus on theoretical models as well as clinical implications. Priority will be given to students who completed the first segment of the course in Fall.
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 Cameron Murphey at murpcam@gmail.com or 425-652-2673.
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.