Community Events (non-Alliance)

The revival of scientific research into psychedelics over the past decade — often referred to as the “Psychedelic Renaissance” — shows promising therapeutic potential for difficult-to-treat conditions such as PTSD and substance use disorders. This program will track the rocky history of the use of psychedelics in Western society from early promising clinical research, through the 1960’s cultural explosion and the “war on drugs,” to their present use in FDA-approved clinical trials, and, lastly, in recent legislation such as Oregon’s Measure 109, the Psilocybin Services Act.

This presentation involves two separate, interrelated paper presentations, which include case illustrations demonstating applications of theoretical points made in the presentations.  There will be ample time set aside for discussion following each paper presentation.

The SPSI Art Salon Committee presents a trilogy of film screenings: “The Impact on the Psyche of Not Belonging: The Recognition and Non-Recognition of Women Artists”. The first film in the series is Alice Neel, to be followed by an audience discussion led by John Olson, MD, and Sue Radant, PhD.

While award-winning speculative and science fiction author, Octavia E. Butler, passed away nearly fifteen years ago, 2020 has been a big year in her career.

Three Classes: Saturdays: Sept 11th, Oct. 9th, Nov. 13th from 9 - 10:30 am

Fundamentals of Psychoanalysis

Northwestern Psychoanalytic Society and Institute is pleased to announce open enrollment for the 2021-2022 Fundamentals of Psychoanalysis certificate course. We will be offering the second year of a two year curriculum; however, participation in Fundamentals I is not a pre-requisite for joining.  

In keeping with social distancing and in an effort to provide a safe learning experience, this year’s course will be held exclusively online, via Zoom.

The mainstay of the discovery of psychoanalysis is the Oedipus myth. Two main readings of the myth are provided by Freud and Bion. We will read works from both authors, focusing actively on recognizing and working its dynamics in clinical practice. Illustrative examples from clinical practice may also be accompanied by additional sources, such as short stories and fairy tales.

Dates and Times: 4 Wednesdays, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, on March 16, 23, 30, and April 6, 2022

Location: Online (via Zoom)

In this course, we will be extending the study of British Object Relations theory into the specifics of clinical work with patients. We will consider and discuss such topics as analytic listening, the clinical use of transference and countertransference phenomena, disclosure, formulating and responding to dilemmas and enactments, the ubiquity of narcissism, and conscious and unconscious levels of communication in the analytical process.

The construction of the internal world builds exclusively on the development of symbols. Many authors inside and outside psychoanalysis have wondered about processes of symbol formation. In this brief elective course, we will read some papers dedicated to these topics and focus actively on recognizing and working with symbols in clinical practice. Illustrative examples from clinical practice may also be accompanied by additional sources, such as short stories and fairy tales.

This course will span the academic year–18 sessions– and will explore the context and development of the basic but complex object relations concepts arising from Freud and expanded upon by Klein and later theorists and clinicians. We will also consider necessary conditions for growing a mind, and the clinical implications when that process is affected by neglect or trauma.