Models of Intersubjectivity in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy: Developmental Origins, Theoretical Conceptions, and Clinical Implications

In the sessions, we will follow the basic principles of the intersubjective approach in psychoanalysis, present its theoretical premises, and from there, examine the clinical applications derived from them. We will also attempt to follow the various lines of development that led to the intersubjective approaches, get to know in depth the sources from which they emerged (such as Winnicott, Bion, and others), and discuss in a comprehensive and broad manner the diverse intersubjective positions themselves. In doing so, we will attempt to identify both the commonalities between the various intersubjective approaches and the differences between them, theoretically and clinically.

Each session will be structured in three parts; the first and second parts are theoretical, and will attempt to trace a line of development in psychoanalytic thinking that emerged from the movement between two different theorists, and which led to a specific intersubjective position. The third part will focus on presenting a case from the literature, with the aim of illustrating the theoretical ideas that will be presented. The course will strive to develop a dialogue between the content from the different approaches, and to build a complete and comprehensive system from which it will be possible to create a multi-faceted picture that at the same time maintains the common ground.

About the lecturer: Dr. Boaz Shalgi, clinical psychologist; senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University. Head of the doctoral unit "Psychoanalysis and its Applications", the Psychotherapy Program and Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University. Editor of "Sichot" – an Israeli journal of psychotherapy.

About the instructor: Ms. Edith Nir, clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst. Teaches and guides in the relational track in the psychotherapy program at Tel Aviv University. Member of the Tel Aviv Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis.

Requirements: Specialist and intern psychologists, clinical social workers or social workers with a master's degree with experience in therapeutic work, expressive and creative therapists with a master's degree, psychiatrists, clinical and applied criminologists.