65th Annual Conference

Friday, February 22

Afternoon Workshops

2:45-6:00 P.M.

Workshop 65

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 the multiple reflections and the ability to choose among the many transference objects may reflect a denied part of the self and help members become aware of their defenses. The leader will show how the group's collective wisdom enlightens this process.
experiential-demonstration-sharing of work experiences-didactic
 

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Become aware of their varied transference feelings toward the various members in the group including members who contain the disowned part of themselves.
2. Observe the role of the leader in using the different transference choices to mobilize the patient's awareness.
3. Experience the role of the collective wisdom influencing the process, as members are in the role of observers, interpreters and maturational agents.
4. Observe 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.
2. Margolis, B. (1986). Joining, Mirroring, Psychological Reflection: Terminology, Definitions, Theoretical Consideration. Modern Psychoanalysis: XI: 1 & 2, New York.
3. Pines, M. (1984). Reflections on Mirroring. International Review of Psychoanalysis, (11:27-42).