

Psychodynamic Psychology Podcast
Alina | Psychodynamic Psychology
A place to nerd-out about psychodynamic theory, books, and ideas.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 8, 2024 • 41min
Psychodynamic Books I Read in July
Are you a beginning psychodynamic practitioner looking for books to read? Welcome to your new home on the internet. I'm Alina, a German psychoanalyst in training and I love psychodynamic literature. So let me help you finding your next favourite read.
In this podcast episode I reflect on four books I read in July:
Adam Phillips: Attention-Seeking | Get it here (Amazon Affiliate link)
Christopher Bollas: The Shadow of the Object | Get it here (Amazon Affiliate link)
Deborah Luepnitz: Schopenhauer's Porcupines | Get it here (Amazon Affiliate link)
Mark Solms: The Hidden Spring | Get it here (Amazon Affiliate link)
If you want to get my database of all the psychodynamic books and articles I read (with ratings + my notes where possible), join my newsletter here to get it: https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter
If you are a (beginner) practitioner and you want to read and discuss books with me and other nerds, join my Patreon book club here: https://www.patreon.com/PsychodynamicPsychology
Other things mentioned:
Adam Phillips's essay "Against Self-Criticism": https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v37/n05/adam-phillips/against-self-criticism
Adam Phillips's essay "On Giving Up": https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v44/n01/adam-phillips/on-giving-up
The Illusion of Mental Health: https://preview.mailerlite.com/q5s5m2s6c8
X post about books: https://x.com/utotranslucence/status/1803159784457379971

Jun 7, 2024 • 26min
Melanie Klein: The Paranoid-Schizoid and Depressive Position
Who's afraid of Melanie Klein? Well, hopefully not you after this episode. We talk about Melanie Klein's ideas surrounding the life and death instinct, the paranoid-schizoid position, and depressive position.
This is the audio version from the YouTube video, which I recommend watching for helpful graphics here: https://youtu.be/DnT8o1DF0VE
💌 Melanie Klein First Aid Kit: Get my notes and graphics ➡ https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/mk
Don't miss this
🟡 PATREON: Book Club ➡ https://patreon.com/PsychodynamicPsychology
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👩🏫 Work with me ➡ https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/work-with-me
RESOURCES mentioned
Klein's Biography: https://melanie-klein-trust.org.uk/timeline/
Object Relations Theory: https://youtu.be/Qt1bNJR5cp8?si=LQIO23ZC81QOSYU-
Psychoanalysis of Dwight Schrute: https://youtu.be/Xjbzbe0ubqU?si=fFxDeioffbWzP3Im
Kleinian case study: https://aeon.co/essays/my-dismal-years-in-psychoanalysis-with-melanie-kleins-disciple
LITERATURE
Klein, Melanie: "Love, Guilt, and Reparation and other works 1921-1945"
Klein, Melanie: "Envy and Gratitude"
Segal, Hanna: "Introduction to the Work of Melanie Klein"
Mitchell, Stephen A.; Black, Margaret J.: Freud and Beyond.
Guntrip, Harry: Psychoanalytic Theory, Therapy, and the Self.

Jan 12, 2024 • 18min
On Feeling Behind in Life
If you're a millennial, you've likely experienced a feeling of being "behind in life" or a "fear of missing out". While most takes on this phenomenon focus on cultural issues ("toxic hustle culture", patriarchy, workaholism), I would like to tentatively explore an underlying topic of self-alienation. This is a work in progress.
📚 Join my book club → Patreon: https://patreon.com/psychodynamicpsychology

Jan 12, 2024 • 25min
What is Psychodynamic Psychology? (Beyond Psychotherapy + Freud)
What is psychodynamic psychology? What does it have to offer beyond psychotherapy (and frankly beyond Freud)? This is what today's episode is all about! We'll cover that psychodynamic psychology is (1) a treatment modality, (2) a body of knowledge, aaaand (3) a set of values. So, lemme drop some juicy theories on you while we're at it 💁🏼♀️ I hope you enjoy this one 😊
📚 Join my book club → Patreon: https://patreon.com/psychodynamicpsychology
💌 Join my newsletter: https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter
Connect with me on Instagram or YouTube
Feedback? Questions? Suggestions? Put 'em here: https://tally.so/r/w7LWZZ
Resources mentioned:
Nancy McWilliams' article "The Future of Psychoanalysis"
My YouTube video on defenses: https://youtu.be/tiQRJh0HL4E
A.J. Jacobs' honesty experiment: https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a26792/honesty0707/

Oct 4, 2023 • 8min
Subconscious vs. Unconscious
Do we say "subconscious" or "unconscious"? Is there a difference? And is that difference important? Let me introduce you to my psychodynamic pet peeve and help you never sound psychodynamically-naive again.
💌 Join my newsletter: https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter
👀 My newest project "The Psychodynamic Circle" will be launching soon. Get on the newsletter if you want to be notified :)
Connect with me on Instagram or YouTube
Feedback? Questions? Suggestions? Put 'em here: https://tally.so/r/w7LWZZ
Resources mentioned:
- Sigmund Freud: General Psychological Theory: Papers on Metapsychology, Chapter IV: The Unconscious (1915)
- Sigmund Freud: The Question of Lay Analysis (1926)

6 snips
Aug 10, 2023 • 21min
Psychoanalyzing Dwight Schrute (a psychodynamic case study)
Dive into the mind of Dwight Schrute from 'The Office' through a psychodynamic lens. Discover how his childhood and family dynamics shaped his quirky yet complex personality. Unpack his paranoid tendencies and their impact on his relationships. Reflect on his awkward charm and emotional vulnerabilities, ultimately revealing a character that’s both loveable and fascinating. This playful analysis even touches on what might happen if he ever decided to seek psychotherapy!