Psychoanalytic Theory and Therapy

ArgosyUniversity

COURSE SYLLABUS

PP8040

Faculty Information

Faculty Name:Neal S. Rubin, Ph.D.

Campus:Chicago

Contact Information:312.836.0335

Office Hours:Tuesdays9:00 to 10:00 am

Wednesdays9:15 to 11:30 am

Thursdays9:00 to 11:30 am

Short Faculty Bio:Professor

Course description:The course integrates psychoanalytic theories of personality with a study of the technique of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Attention is given to actual case material and the role of the therapist in analytically oriented treatment. The psychoanalytic perspective on therapeutic process is explored both from classical and more recent analytic viewpoints. Students are introduced to basic psychoanalytic concepts of personality and psychopathology and their implications for therapeutic technique.

Course Pre-requisites: PP7320; PP7321

Required Textbook:

Basch, M.F. (1980).Doing psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books.(ISBN: 0465016847)

Brenner, C. (1974).An elementary textbook of psychoanalysis. Garden City: Anchor. (ISBN: 0385098847)

Freud, S. (1963).Therapy and technique. New York: Collier. (Out of print)

Freud, S. (1963).Three case histories. New York: Collier.(ISBN:0684829452)

Wolf, E. (1988).Treating the self. New York: Guilford Press. (ISBN: 0898627176)

Technology:Pentium III CPU/ Windows 98; 128MB RAM printer; Microsoft Office: Acrobat (full version); Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 (PC), 5.0 (MAC), or Netscape Navigator 4.08; Norton Antivirus.

Course length: 15 Weeks

Contact Hours: 45 Hours

Credit Value: 3.0

Program Outcomes:

Mission Statement of the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology:

The Doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at Argosy University/Illinois School of Professional Psychology-Chicago Campus is an APA accredited program (APA, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC20002, 202-336-5500). This program is designed to educate and train students so that they may eventually be able to function effectively as clinical psychologists. To ensure that students are prepared adequately, the curriculum provides for the meaningful integration of theory, training and practice. The Clinical Psychology program at Argosy University/Illinois School of Professional Psychology-Chicago Campus emphasizes the development of attitudes, knowledge and skills essential in the formation of professional psychologists who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services. Specific objectives of the program include the following:

The training of practitioners capable of delivering diagnostic and therapeutic services effectively to diverse populations of clients in need of such treatment.
The development of mental health practitioners who understand the biological, psychological and sociological bases of human behavior.
The training of practitioners who are capable of exercising leadership both in the health care delivery system and in the training of mental health professionals.
The preparation of mental health practitioners capable of expanding the roles of psychologists within society.
The education of psychologists capable of working with other disciplines as part of a professional team.

Course Objectives:

OVERVIEW AND LEARNING GOALS

The first half of this course will be devoted to a study of major elements of psychoanalytic theory and some clinical applications of the theory. Freud's basic concepts and ideas will be discussed in some depth followed by a review of these ideas as applied to the famous case of the "Rat Man". The learning goal of this part of the course is to grasp Freud's approach to the interplay of developmental, dynamic and historical forces in the lives of patients. Emphasis will be placed on the role of instinctual drives, the dynamic unconscious, and psychic conflict in the development of the neuroses. Alternative perspectives on Freud and analytic theory will be introduced with a view to seeing how Freud's ideas have been revised over time. The classical Freudian model will then be contrasted with object relations theory and self psychology. How each model defines change and what constitutes evidence of change will be emphasized. Finally, new and emerging areas of inquiry will be presented to give the student some exposure to evolving psychoanalytic theory and its applications to diverse populations.

The second half of the course will review the basic technical principles underlying psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and the rationale for each. The focus here will be on the nature of the therapeutic interaction and important aspects of this interaction, including transference, counter- transference, projective identification, secondary traumatization and boundary violations. The question of proof and outcome in psychoanalytic psychotherapy will be addressed and empirical evidence of the effectiveness of psychoanalytic therapy will be provided. Sensitivity to differences will be emphasized throughout, especially regarding countertransference impediments to working effectively with diversity.

OBJECTIVES

1. To develop a basic understanding of major psychoanalytic concepts through summarizing and critiquing ideas. (Foundations in Scientific Psychology)

2. To formulate hypotheses about personality, relationships and a range of contextual factors on human behavior utilizing Freudian and neo-Freudian theory. (Demonstrate Competence in Psychological Assessment)

3. To learn about the listening process from a psychoanalytic perspective including how meaning is developed in the therapeutic process. (Foundations in Scientific Psychology; Demonstrate Competence in Relationships)

4. To formulate hypotheses about intrapsychic and interpersonal patterns and their adaptive and maladaptive impacts in significant life and therapeutic relationships. (Demonstrate Competence in Psychological Assessment; Demonstrate Competence in Relationships)

5. To apply these ideas to the practice of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. To understand outcome and what constitute evidence of change from psychoanalytic perspectives. (Apply Appropriate and Effective Therapeutic Intervention According to a Theoretical Orientation)

6. To integrate contextual factors related to human diversity into the application of psychoanalytic perspectives. (Demonstrate Competence in Diversity)

7. To address professionals’ methods of integrating social responsibility into their lives and work. (Apply Appropriate and Effective Therapeutic Intervention According to a Theoretical Orientation; Demonstrate Competence in Diversity).

Assignment Table:By the end of the course, students should understand basic concepts and ideas and be able to apply these to clinical cases. Assignments will emphasize integrative conceptual skills, critical thinking skills and writing skills*. The takehome final will assess the student's ability to apply course concepts to clinical material in the context of a psychotherapy session.

Your teaching assistant will review conceptual writing assignments. Questions regarding any aspect of the course are welcomed.

If you have a learning disability or any other personal characteristic that may interfere with your performance in this class (e.g., hearing or visual loss), you are invited to alert the instructor. We will evaluate your needs and collaborate on a course of action.

Final grades will be weighted in the following manner:

WritingConceptual Assignments40%

Take home finalexam50%

Class participation10%

* Students will be asked to lead class discussions of these assignments

GRADING

All students are expected to aim for an 'A' in this class. Achieving an "A" (90-100 points) will require excellence in understanding and applying theoretical concepts to clinical data and in thinking critically about theory. Evaluation of excellence will occur via written assignments.Excellence in class participation is achieved through thoughtful, incisive and productive contributions to our learning process. Students achieving 80-89 points will receive a 'B'. Students achieving 70-79 points will receive a 'C'. Students are also expected to actively engage in classroom dialogue.

Students are also strongly encouraged to attend the weekly T.A. sessions. These sessions are coordinated between instructor and T.A. to provide a more intensive, clinically focused experience for students.

Library Resources

ArgosyUniversity’s core online collection features more than 21,000 full-text journals, 23,000 electronic books and other content covering all academic subject areas including Business & Economics, Career & General Education, Computers, Engineering & Applied Science, Humanities, Science, Medicine & Allied Health, and Social & Behavior Sciences.All electronic resources can be accessed through the library’s website at User IDs and passwords are distributed during orientation, but can also be obtained at the circulation desk, calling 312-777-7653, or by e-mail at .

In addition to online resources, ArgosyUniversity’s onsite collections contain a wealth of subject-specific research materials searchable in the Library Online Catalog. Catalog searching is easily limited to individual campus collections.Alternatively, students can search combined collections of all Argosy University Libraries. Students are encouraged to seek research and reference assistance from campus librarians.

Information Literacy: ArgosyUniversity’s Information Literacy Tutorial was developed to teach fundamental and transferable research skills, including selecting sources appropriate for academic-level research, searching periodical indexes and search engines, and evaluating and citing information. In the tutorial, students study concepts and practice them through interactions. At the conclusion of each module, they can test their comprehension and receive immediate feedback. Each module takes less than 20 minutes to complete. Please view the tutorial at

Academic Policies

Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism: In an effort to foster a spirit of honesty and integrity during the learning process, ArgosyUniversity requires that the submission of all course assignments represent the original work produced by that student. All sources must be documented through normal scholarly references/citations and all work must be submitted using the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Edition (2001). WashingtonDC: American Psychological Association (APA) format. Please refer to Appendix A in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Edition for thesis and paper format. Students are encouraged to purchase this manual (required in some courses) and become familiar with its content as well as consult the ArgosyUniversity catalog for further information regarding academic dishonesty and plagiarism.

Scholarly writing: The faculty at ArgosyUniversity is dedicated to providing a learning environment that supports scholarly and ethical writing, free from academic dishonesty and plagiarism. This includes the proper and appropriate referencing of all sources. You may be asked to submit your course assignments through “Turnitin,” ( an online resource established to help educators develop writing/research skills and detect potential cases of academic dishonesty. Turnitin compares submitted papers to billions of pages of content and provides a comparison report to your instructor. This comparison detects papers that share common information and duplicative language.

Americans with Disabilities Act Policy

It is the policy of ArgosyUniversity to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If a student with disabilities needs accommodations, the student must notify the Director of Student Services. Procedures for documenting student disability and the development of reasonable accommodations will be provided to the student upon request.

Students will be notified by the Director of Student Services when each request for accommodation is approved or denied in writing via a designated form. To receive accommodation in class, it is the student’s responsibility to present the form (at his or her discretion) to the instructor. In an effort to protect student privacy, the Department of Student Services will not discuss the accommodation needs of any student with instructors. Faculty may not make accommodations for individuals who have not been approved in this manner.

TheArgosyUniversity Statement Regarding Diversity

ArgosyUniversity prepares students to serve populations with diverse social, ethnic, economic, and educational experiences. Both the academic and training curricula are designed to provide an environment in which students can develop the skills and attitudes essential to working with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

COURSE OUTLINE

WEEKTOPIC

Sept. 2Course Overview: The development of Psychoanalytic Theory; Psychologists and Social Responsibility.

Readings:Pepper, C., pp. 35-54 (packet)

Tummala-Narra, P., pp. 255-270 (packet)

Sept. 9Basic concepts and hypotheses of classical theory: the drives, models of the psychic apparatus, psychosexual development, object relations.

Readings:Brenner, pp. 1125 (review)

Pogue-White, pp. 401-422 (packet)

Sept. 16Paper #1 due.

Dream Theory, classical theory of neurosis, conflict and symptom formation: Psychoanalytic Theory in Historical and Cultural Context

Readings: Brenner, pp. 149192.

Freud, Interpretation of Dreams, pp. 128-153 (packet)

Kurtz, pp. 245-265 (packet)

Recommended: Chodorow, pp. 178-198

Sep. 23 Evidence base for Freud’s case study method of determining meaning and change:The Case of the Rat Man

Reading:Freud, Three Case Histories, pp. 15102.

Sep. 30No class; Psychoanalysis and Neuroscience: Scientific evidence for psychoanalytic concepts

Reading:Westen, D., pp. 1061-1106 (available PEP)

Oct. 7Object Relations Theory

Readings:Mitchell, S., pp. 1740; 271306

St. Clair, M., pp. 122 (packet)

Oct. 14SelfPsychology; Application to diverse populations;Concepts of change in each psychoanalytic model

Readings:Wolf, pp. 23145.

Akhtar, pp. 111-137 (packet)

Recommended: Winnicott, pp. 140152

Oct. 21Paper #2 due

Therapeutic technique; Conditions of safety, the framework, listening and the therapeutic relationship

Readings:Freud, Therapy & Technique, pp. 117126; 135156; 181190

Basch, pp. 334

Schafer, pp. 366

Recommended: Langs, pp. 279326

Oct. 28Paper #3 due

Evidence of change: the therapeutic action of psychoanalytic treatment and empirical evidence supporting therapeutic effectiveness.

Readings:Strachey, pp. 321-338 (packet)

Doidge, pp. 102-150 (available PEP)

Basch, pp. 35-104

Recommended: Kernberg, "The Theory of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy," pp. 2143.

Nov. 4The use of interpretation; The analysis of resistance; The question of proof: what constitutes evidence of change?

Readings: Schafer, pp. 162192

Basch, pp. 105180

Freud, Therapy & Technique, pp. 157166

Nov. 11The patient’s experience as evidence of change: Analysis of transference

Readings:Freud, Therapy & Technique, pp. 105115; 169179.

Gill, pp. 162182 (packet)

Comas Diaz & Jacobsen, 392-402 (packet)

Recommended: Schafer, pp. 113133

Nov. 18Paper #4 due.

The therapist’s experience as evidence of change: Countertransference and projective identification.

Readings:Kernberg, “Countertransference”, pp. 207-216

Sandler, pp. 273-277 (packet)

Ogden, pp. 357-373 (packet)

Tansey & Burke, pp. 9-37 (packet)

Casement, pp. 54-63;129-139 (packet)

Nov. 25Evoked reactions and professional ethics: re-enactments of trauma, secondary trauma and boundary violations

Readings:Herman, pp. 133-174.

Davies & Frawley, pp. 149-197

Altman (2000), pp. 589-605 (packet)

Dec. 2Final Exam Due

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NB: The administration of ISPP/Argosy University, Chicago recommends that you save this course syllabus after completing the course.

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Required Texts

Basch, M.F. (1980). Doing psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books.(ISBN: 0465016847)

Brenner, C.(1974). An elementary textbook of psychoanalysis. Garden City: Anchor. (ISBN: 0385098847)

Freud, S. (1963). Therapy and technique. New York: Collier. (Out of print)

Freud, S. (1963). Three case histories. New York: Collier.(ISBN:0684829452)

Wolf, E. (1988). Treating the self. New York: Guilford Press. (ISBN: 0898627176)

Recommended Texts

Mitchell, S.(1989).Relational concepts in psychoanalysis. Cambridge: HarvardUniversity Press. (ISBN: 0674754115)

Schafer, R. (1983). The analytic attitude. New York: Basic Books. (ISBN: 0465002676)

Casement, P.J. (1991). Learning from the patient. New York: Guilford Press.(ISBN: 0898621577)