Psychoanalysis On and Off the Couch

Jan Johansson, a psychologist and training supervisor at the Therapeia Institute in Helsinki, delves into the evolution of psychoanalysis in Finland. He highlights the journey from foreign training in the 50s to the 2012 government reform of psychoanalytic education. Differences in theoretical backgrounds influence clinical practice, while sauna culture intertwines with these psychoanalytic traditions. Johansson also discusses the current landscape of psychoanalysts and the significant role of training analysis in maintaining integrity amidst evolving educational frameworks.

Robert Grossmark, a New York psychoanalyst and educator, dives into the concept of 'companioning' in therapy. He advocates for meeting patients where they are, emphasizing the importance of non-verbal engagement over traditional dialogue. Grossmark discusses how analysts can share experiences like music and food to foster deeper connections. He explores the nuances of emotional absence in therapy and the transformative potential of creating a supportive environment, ultimately showcasing how companionship can lead to healing and personal growth.

Exploring the neglect of inner life in treating anorexia, emphasizing deeper dynamics for lasting change. Discussing the paternal function's impact on eating disorders, navigating desire and loneliness complexities, and analyzing the object in eating disorders. Highlighting the future of collaborative treatment approaches and the evolving landscape of psychoanalytic ideas in eating disorders.

The podcast delves into the significance of play in therapy and the concept of the surviving object in Winnicott's theory of aggression. It explores the importance of authentic emotions and trust in analysis, as well as the impact of dependency and fear in psychoanalysis. The discussion also highlights the transformative role of the consulting room in therapy and contrasts it with challenges of online therapy.

Exploring the complexities of female sexuality in India, the podcast highlights how women adapt their desires amidst oppressive environments, finding creative ways to satisfy their Eros while maintaining community belonging.

Mali Mann, a doctor, discusses the challenges and unconscious conflicts of becoming a parent. Topics include the strain on relationships with sperm donorship, the emotional impact of infertility, the complexities of choosing donors, and recommendations to rejuvenate child analysis.

Delve into how psychoanalytic work mirrors the intense engagement of early romantic relationships, emphasizing attentiveness and respect. Explore Dr. Alan Karbelnig's book on Lover, Exorcist, Critic traits in psychoanalysis. Discuss repairing the therapeutic frame for a deeper clinical encounter, navigating intense emotions and managing negativity in therapy.

"What's the spiritual room? For me, it does tend to be a connection to something greater than just me; it is a contemplative space; it is getting to the core of who I am, allowing in some ways for the best of me to come to the fore; to have space for grace. I am humbled by what people bring to tell me. I take what I'm doing in the office very seriously because it is really like sacred work in terms of people being able to work, love, and play. I mean that is for them to find their real callings rather than the false selves that they may experience; it's a similar call for finding one's true self, and that is really important work."    Episode Description: We begin by considering the presence of religion as part of the cultural heritage which patients bring to the clinical encounter.  Ginta shares with us her upbringing in the Lithuanian Catholic church and its presence in her life, in her journey to medical school and to her psychiatric and analytic training. She speaks of the relationship between her sense of spirituality and God, the importance of Jesus' human/divine amalgam, and how prayer provides her access to her interiority.  We consider the similarities and differences between speaking freely to God and speaking freely to one's analyst. We discuss the narthex, the church antechamber, and its association with the analytic waiting room and how the structure of the Mass has similarities with the structure of the analytic session. We also consider her reflections on abortion - including a quote from Freud on the topic. Ginta closes by sharing with us her sense of the sacredness of our work.     Our Guest: Ginta Remeikis, MD, is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst practicing in Rockville, MD. Having graduated from Northwestern University Medical School, she completed her psychiatric residency at Georgetown and Chestnut Lodge Hospital, where she then served on the medical staff and psychoanalytic training at the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute. Most recently, she has presented at meetings of the APCS (Association for the Psychoanalysis of Culture and Society) and AABS (Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies) on intergenerational transmission of trauma; diaspora experiences; the psychic role of language, especially bilingualism; the use of literature for processing trauma; and psychodynamics around disability. In 2003 she organized the New Directions weekend conference, “The Future of Religion in the Psychoanalytic World: Revisiting the Mind/Soul Dilemma” and for several years presented on issues of psychiatry and religion to Georgetown’s psychiatry residents. Besides enjoying reading, she has published poetry in Lithuanian in several collections and journals.   Recommended Readings:   Corcoran, Paul, “Seamus Heaney lost his Catholic faith.  But his poetry still sought transcendence.” in America; The Jesuit Review, Sept. 15, 2023.   Epstein, Mark, Thoughts Without a Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective, Basic Books, 1995.   Greeley, Andrew M., The Catholic Myth: The Behavior and Beliefs of American Catholics, Charles Scribner’s Sons, NY, 1990.   Merton, Thomas, New Seeds of Contemplation, New Directions, NY, 1961.   Rizzuto, Ana-Maria, Why did Freud Reject God?: A Psychodynamic Interpretation, Yale University Press, New Haven, 1998.   Smith, Joseph H. and Susan A Handelman, editors, Psychoanalysis and Religion, Psychiatry and the Humanities, vol. 11, The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1990.   Trinkūnas, Jonas, editor, Of Gods & Holidays; The Baltic Heritage, Tvermė, 1999.  

Nancy McWilliams, a dream analyst and psychologist, shares her personal journey of how psychoanalysis transformed her life. Topics discussed include the transformative power of psychoanalysis, the significance of supervision in the field, navigating medical issues as a therapist, understanding the attitudes of the current generation, and the importance of integration in psychoanalysis.

Psychoanalysts Peter Goldberg, Michael Levin, and Adam Blum explore the profound influence of music on human experience in psychoanalysis. They discuss how music shapes our identities, emotions, and therapeutic processes. Topics include the significance of rhythm, the emotional depth of blues music, and the transformative power of music in processing trauma and connecting to collective memories.