Lives of the Unconscious. A Podcast on Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy

Delve into the intricate relationship between psychological symptoms and their roots, with a focus on how context shapes understanding. Explore the architecture of personality, highlighting differing psychic frameworks that affect identity and conflict management. Learn about structural disorders in mental frameworks, comparing therapy to restoring foundational elements of a building. This insightful discussion emphasizes the importance of tailored therapeutic approaches based on individual psychic structures.

Exploring the concept of the false self and its impact on identity, the importance of parental support, and how highly sensitive children develop a false self. Also delving into the true self, the struggles of constructing an authentic identity, and the role of psychotherapy in unveiling the true self.

The podcast explores fear and anxiety disorders from a psychoanalytic perspective, discussing different forms of fear, the symbolism and displacement in phobias, and the impact of attachment on anxiety disorders. It emphasizes the importance of understanding individual history and conflicts in phobia meaning, and the role of a supportive therapist in addressing underlying causes of anxiety.

Exploring the theater of the mind, this discussion likens everyday interactions to performances on stage. It unveils how roles fluctuate, particularly between patient and therapist. The concept of 'dramaturgic awareness' reveals unconscious influences shaping behaviors in therapeutic settings. Role reversals and the delicate balance of control and vulnerability lead to deeper emotional discoveries. Listeners gain insight into the complex dynamics of therapy as both observers and participants in this transformative space.

Delve into the effectiveness of psychoanalysis through compelling research findings. Discover the benefits of both short-term and long-term therapy. Explore the complexities in psychotherapy research, including the biases of researchers that influence outcomes. Witness the transformative journey of psychotherapy, emphasizing personal freedom and societal implications for mental health funding. This exploration challenges conventional views and advocates for a nuanced understanding of psychological well-being.

Lives of the Unconscious Summary: Psychoanalysis is an exotic resident in the house of science. A wide variety of disciplines have borrowed from it, from neuroscience to the social sciences, to art and literature. At the same time, it has often been confronted with the accusation of being unscientific. We will dedicate two episodes of our podcast to just this question. In the first episode, we look at the scientific status of psychoanalysis. Visit our website: www.psy-cast.org Support us on Patreon and get the scripts to the episodes: www.patreon.com/lives Donation via Paypal Links: Anna Freud Centre, London International Psychoanalytic University, Berlin San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group Sigmund Freud Institut, Frankfurt Jonathan Shedler Institutions worldwide Literature Recommendations: Albani, C. & Blaser, G. & Jacobs, U. & Jones, E. & Geyer, Michael & Kächele, Horst. (2000). The 'Psychotherapy Process Q-Sort' method. 48. 151–171. -Benjamin, J. (1998). Shadow of the Other: Intersubjectivity and Gender in Psychoanalysis. Routledge: London Bereswill, M., Morgenroth, C., & Redman, P. (2010). Alfred Lorenzer and the depth-hermeneutis method. Psychoanalysis, Culture & Society, 15(3), 221–250. Cartwright, Duncan. (2004). The Psychoanalytic Research Interview: Pre-liminary Suggestions. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Associa-tion. 52. 209–42. Fonagy, P., Gergely, G., Target, M. Psychoanalytic Constructs and At-tachment Theory and Research (2008). In: Cassidy, J. & Shaver, P.: Handbook of Attachment, 783–810. New York: Guilford. Frogett, L., & Hollway, W. (2010). Psychosocial research analysis and scenic understanding. Psychoanalysis, Culture and Society, 15(3), 281–301. Hollway, W., & Frogett, L. (2012). Researching in-between subjective ex-perience and reality. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 13(3), Art. 13. Huang, H.Y. & Kirsner, D. (2020) The History of Psychoanalysis in China, Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 40:1, 3-15. Leuzinger-Bohleber, M. & Fischmann, T. (2006). What is conceptual re-search in psychoanalysis? The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 87, 1355-86. Leuzinger-Bohleber, M. & Kächele, H. (2015). An open door review of outcome and process studies in psychoanalysis. ODR III (3. Ed.). Lon-don: International Psychoanalytical Association. Lilliengren, P. (2019). Comprehensive compilation of randomized con-trolled trials (RCTs) involving psychodynamic treatments and interven-tions, Stockholm. Olesen, S. & Weber, K (2012). Socialization, Language, and Scenic Under-standing. Alfred Lorenzer's Contribution to a Psycho-societal Method-ology. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 13(3), Art. 22. Sandler, A.M & Davies, R. (2001). Clinical and Observational Psychoana-lytic Research: Roots of a Controversy. Madison, CT: International Uni-versities Press, 2001. Seidler, B. N. (2019). Who Sez Psychoanalysis Ain't Got No Empirical Research to Back Up Its Claims: An Extensive Bibliographic Compen-dium of Studies. JASPER International: Journal for the Advancement of Scientific Psychodynamic Empirical Research: Spurring Research For-ward, 2(1), 63 – 103. Shedler, J (2010). The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Therapy. American Psy-chologist, 65, 98–109. Solms, M (2018). The Feeling Brain: Selected Papers on Neuropsychoanalysis. London: Routledge. Wallerstein, R.S. (2009) What kind of research in psychoanalytic science? The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 90, 1, 109-133.

This podcast explores the concept of mentalization and its importance in understanding and predicting behavior. It discusses the connection between mentalization and early childhood attachment, as well as its impact on relationships and mental health. The podcast also touches on the role of mentalization in advanced lying and the significance of deception in anthropology and reasoning.

Lives of the Unconscious Summary: What constitutes our inner mental life is in large part based on our early relationship experiences. This principle of psychoanalytic thinking becomes particularly clear in the concept of attachment. Attachment describes the existential experience of emotional resonance and reassurance in relationships—or its fateful absence. Visit our website: www.psy-cast.org Support us on Patreon and get the scripts to the episodes: www.patreon.com/lives Donation via Paypal Literature Recommendations: Bowlby, J. (1988). A Secure Base: Parent-Child Attachment and Healthy Human Development. London, UK: Tavistock/Routledge. Bowlby, J. (1979). The Making and Breaking of Affectional Bonds. Lon-don: Tavistock. Brisch, K (2012). Treating Attachment Disorders, Second Edition: From Theory to Therapy. New York: Guilford. Cassidy, J. & Shaver, P.R. (2018). Handbook of Attachment. Third Edi-tion. Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications. New York: Guilford. Crittenden, P.M. (2008). Raising Parents: Attachment, Parenting and Child Safety. London: Routledge. Fonagy, P. & Target, M. (2007). The Rooting of the Mind in the Body: New Links Between Attachment Theory and Psychoanalytic Thought. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association. 55(2):411-56. Fonagy P, Luyten P. A developmental, mentalization-based approach to the understanding and treatment of borderline personality disorder. Dev Psy-chopathol. 2009 Fall;21(4):1355-81. Gerin, M.I., Hanson, E., Viding, E., McCrory, E.J. (2019). A review of childhood maltreatment, latent vulnerability and the brain: implications for clinical practice and prevention. Adoption and Fostering, 43 (3), 310–28. Grossmann, K.E. und Grossmann, Karin (2020). Universal and culturally specific aspects of sensitive responsiveness to young children. Attachment & Human Development, Published online: 29 Mar 2018 Grossmann, K., Grossmann, K.E., Kindler, H., & Zimmermann, P. (2008). A wider view of attachment and exploration: The influence of mothers and fathers on the development of psychological security from infancy to young adulthood. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications. 2nd Ed., Chapter 36 (pp. 857-879). New York: Guilford Press. Main M, Cassidy J (1988). "Categories of response to reunion with the par-ent at age 6". Developmental Psychology. 24 (3): 415–426. Solomon, J. & George, C. (1999). Attachment Disorganization. New York: Guilford. Teicher, M. H. (2000): Wounds that time won't heal: The neurobiology of child abuse. Cerebrum, 4, 50-67.

The discussion dives into the essence of human conflict, revealing its pivotal role in our lives. It highlights how conflict can be both a challenge and a catalyst for growth. The interplay between our instincts and societal norms is also explored, showcasing the battle between desire and conscience. Listeners are invited to reflect on how these inner conflicts manifest as feelings of guilt and shame, compelling them to navigate their own complexities in a world that often imposes rigid expectations.

Exploring the concept of repression and its impact on memories and emotions, including a case study of a mother with a feeding disorder. Delving into the complexities of emotional understanding and the therapist's role in therapy. Examining the process of coming to grips with painful histories and the function and impact of repression in mental health.