What is Modern Psychoanalysis?
If you ask someone “What is psychoanalysis?” chances are they’ll think of Sigmund Freud, who is famous for inventing and developing the psychoanalytic approach. His work to articulate the psychoanalytic [Read More]
Between Mother’s Love and Impossible Mourning: Overcoming of Intergenerational Trauma in the Film Beloved
By Biserka Rashkova Content warning: Beloved contains frank depictions of sexual assault and racial violence. In one of his most notable papers, Freud reminds us that we are destined to [Read More]
Research on Psychodynamic Therapies
In recent decades we have seen an explosion of research on psychoanalytically-influenced therapies and psychoanalytic concepts. A psychodynamic research listserv, founded over 15 years ago, has over 1,000 researcher members, [Read More]
Dr. Perlman Publishes Article in The Psychoanalytic Review
Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. Lynn Perlman, published an article, “Breastfeeding and Female Sexuality” in The Psychoanalytic Review. Her article explores the reluctance in the world to recognizing the sexuality of breastfeeding. [Read More]
Dr. Sharp Co-Authors Article in Group.
BGSP instructor and Program Director of the M. A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Dr. William Sharp, co authored “Into the Fire: Using Process to Teach Undergraduate Clinical Psychology,” in [Read More]
Psychoanalysis at Work in Public Schools
Twenty years ago, faculty member Joan White decided to bring modern psychoanalysis into the public schools. “The emotional demands made on teachers by their work can be overwhelming,” says Dr. White. “Children who come to school with emotional problems are still expected to perform at grade level. But their feelings get in the way of their learning.” Violence, racism, drugs, non-cooperation, inattentive, and provocative behavior are among the challenges confronting teachers. “And the teachers,” she reports, “take it personally.” They can be left feeling hopeless, frustrated, angry, and helpless. [Read More]
Dr. Madonna Presenting in Rotterdam
BGSP faculty member, Dr. John Madonna, will be presenting a discussion of his paper entitled “In the Shadow of Desire, Schizoid Personality Disorder: Treatment Considerations” at the 21st International Congress of [Read More]
CBT or Psychodynamic Therapy
By William Sharp. Which is better? I hear this question a lot, and the ultimate answer is: it depends. Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short term (often 12 session) approach to treatment that encourages changing your thinking, in order to change your feelings and behaviors. Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy is usually longer term work, as it is based on more than just the stated symptoms someone walks into treatment with. [Read More]
Psychoanalysis – It’s All Emotional
When it comes to helping people improve their mental health, many therapists are trained to keep a certain distance between themselves and those they are working with. They are told to maintain an emotional barrier and work hard to never cross it.
This approach is important for keeping strong boundaries when people need them. However, oftentimes when therapists suppress the feelings that arise in the therapy, they miss out on major opportunities to address the root causes of the persistent emotional struggles. [Read More]
Understanding Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic therapy is different from more cognitively based therapies in that it starts with the assumption that a person’s symptoms are an indicator of a more complex set of emotions – those that are deeply rooted and outside of their awareness. The psychodynamic psychotherapist learns to understand these unconscious factors that prevent positive change, and is able to address them and help people who are struggling to resolve their mental and emotional problems. [Read More]