66th Annual Conference

Friday, February 20

Morning Workshops

10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

Workshop 42

The Group as a Hall of Mirrors: A Powerful Force in Illuminating the Awareness of the Defenses

Chair:                

Sima Ariam , Ph.D., CGP, Private Practice, New York, New York

This workshop will demonstrate how multiple reflections and the ability to choose among the many transference objects in group reveals denied parts of the self and helps members become aware of their defenses. The leader will show how the group's collective wisdom enlightens this process.

demonstration-sharing of work experiences-experiential-didactic

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Identify their varied transference feelings toward the various members in the group including members who contain the disowned part of themselves.

2. Identify the role of the leader in using the different transference choices to mobilize the patient's awareness.

3. Explain the role of the collective wisdom influencing the process, as members are in the role of observers, interpreters and maturational agents.

4. Describe the shift from transference feeling toward the leader, to feelings among each other.

Course References:

1. Foulkes, S. (1964) Therapeutic Group Analysis. London: George Allen & Unwin

Pines, M.(1984) Reflections on Mirroring. International Review of Psychoanalysis, (11:27-42).

2. Marshall,R.J.,(2006)Suppose There Where No Mirrors: Converging Concept of Mirroring CMPS/Modern Psychoanalysis, Vol.31,No2.