This course serves as a historical and theoretical introduction to psychoaesthetics, focusing especially on the pioneering work of Donald Meltzer and continued developments in the Atelier (psychoanalytic working group) of his apprentice, Franco Scabbiolo. It has been developed in close creative collaboration and consultation with Scabbiolo over the last 5 years, and may be seen as a complement and companion to the clinically-focused webinar offered by Franco in the Spring. 

Presenter: Seth Aichele, MA, LMHC, is a psychotherapist, approved supervisor, and theoretician working with adults 1-3x weekly in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. He received his M.A. from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. Seth’s research interests include 1.) systematic integration of the metapsychological works of Donald Meltzer, Melanie Klein, Wilfred Bion, and Carl Jung, 2.) the historical and structural origins of the psychodynamic tradition in the philosophy of Friedrich Schelling, 3.) the relationship of depth psychology and psychoanalysis to Christian theology and the philosophy of religion. With Franco Scabbiolo and a cohort of early career therapists in an experimental ‘psychoanalytic atelier’, Seth has been engaged since 2019 in the project of extending Meltzer’s pioneering work in the area of aesthetics and psychodynamic process. 

7 Sessions In-Person on Wednesdays from 7:30 - 9:00pm 

September 3, 2025 through December 3, 2025