64th Annual Conference

Friday, February 22

Afternoon Open Sessions

2:45-6:00 P.M.

Session 311

Using a Stage Play to Illustrate Principles of Transference in Psychodynamic Group Therapy

Co-Chairs:         

Molly Donovan, Ph.D., CGP, Private Practice, Washington, DC

Robert Evans Schulte, M.S.W., CGP, Private Practice, Alexandria, Virginia    

Panelists:

Maryetta Andres-Sachs, M.A., CGP, Private Practice, Washington, DC

John Dluhy, M.D., CGP, FAGPA, Private Practice, Washington, DC

Matthew Fleming, Psy.D., Private Practice, Washington, DC

Sheela Kadedar, M.D., George Washington Hospital, Washington, DC

Hallie Lovett, Ph.D., CGP, Private Practice, Washington, DC

Tom Teasley, Artist-in-Residence, Levine School of Music, Washington, DC

Barry Wepman, Ph.D., CGP, Private Practice, Washington, DC

A dramatic reading of the play, Off the Map, by Joan Ackermann, will illustrate the dynamic interplay of past, present and future in the development and resolution of member-to-leader, member-to-member and member-to-group transferences. A post-performance discussion will allow participants to share reactions to the play and discuss their own approach to working with transference in group therapy.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Compare relational dynamics of the play's action and characters with transference phenomena in group therapy.

2. Analyze theme content of this stage play and apply to group therapy.

3. Compare the here-and-now experience of watching a play and bearing witness in a therapy group.

Course References:

1. Bollas, Christopher. (1992). Being a character. New York, NY. Hill and Wang.
2. Livingston, L. & Livingston, M. (2006). Sustained Empathic Focus and the Clinical Application of Self-Psychological Theory in Group Psychotherapy, International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 56, 67-85.
3. Segalla, R. (2006). Selfish and Unselfish Behavior: Scene Stealing and Scene Sharing in Group Psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 56, 33-46.