NPI’s Saturday Salon Series  – 2023 – 2024

Relaxed CE Courses in Small Settings

$60 per Salon.

Upcoming Saturday Salons

I Can Do It All Myself: Working with Self-Sufficient Patients

April 13, 2024 10:00am to 1:15pm PT

3 CE Credits

Instructors: Glenda Corstorphine, PsyD

Course Description:

This salon will focus on our patients who have a hard time letting us help them. From a very young age they are used to figuring everything out on their own. When these patients enter therapy there is a longing for help, a hope that someone can come along side of them and at the same time there’s a wall that goes up due to feelings of shame and weakness.  The wall is comprised of cynicism, negativity and distain of needs and desires just to name a few. 

We will consider: the false self-structure, the obstructive object, feeling stuck, avoidance of feelings, transference and countertransference. 

Objectives:

1. Name 2 ways these patients fight off painful internal affects.
2. Name 2 important techniques for working with self-sufficient patients.
3. What are some challenges for the therapist when working with self-sufficient patients?

Instructors:

Glenda Corstorphine is a NPI graduate and Supervising and Training analyst. She has served on numerous committees at NPI including the Board of Directors, Director of the Pasadena campus, Curriculum Committee, Faculty Committee, Events Committee and the Training Committee. She is a member of several Bion study groups, was co-chair of the 2014 International Bion Conference and co-editor of “Bion’s Explorations in ‘O’: Everything We Know Nothing About.” She has been in private practice in Pasadena for 33 years.

Past Salons

TENDING THE UNBORN

David Wayne, PhD

In 1975 Margaret Mahler published The Psychological Birth of the Human Infant: Symbiosis and Individuation.  Through this lense, physical birth and psychological birth, while intertwined, are seen as distinct events.

A case will be presented in which over time, it became evident, this physically birthed human had not yet become psychologically born.  The “discovery journey” was excruciatingly experiential for both patient and analyst; emptiness, manically treading water, terrified someone will sense the emptiness inside or be discovered as alien.  One has a feeling of watching but not participating, waiting for life to begin. Paranoia is a constant companion, the black of space the only vista.  One has to work exceedingly to have any hope of belonging, even if only for a moment. There is no feeling of connection to others without blinding terror and paranoia. No matter how great the effort, it all ends in futility.

“It is a pleasure to be hidden, but a disaster to not be found.”

DW Winnicott

This is the chronical of a journey taken by patient and therapist into the black abyss of insanity, formlessness, and desperation.  This is the story of how the analyst “found” his patient, and how she became psychologically born.

March 9, 2024

ADDRESSING THE HEART OF ADDICTION

Holly Han, Psy.D., MFT & Natalie Peacock-Corral, MSW, LCSW, CGP

Using psychoanalytic papers and case material, participants will examine analytic perspectives on SUD’s and deepen their understanding of the psychodynamic and psychoanalytic underpinnings of their own cases.

February 10th, 2024

THE INCLUSIVE SELF IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

Laura Caghan, Psy.D. & Ricardo Gonsalves, EdD

The therapists’ role must shift in response to a changing world. Together we’ll reflect on our own personal and professional development in a time of social, cultural and global change. By identifying intersectional issues, multiple perspectives, and our own blind spots, we’ll reconsider how we perceive others’ ethnicity, class, gender, and so on. We’ll then apply our insights to therapeutic encounters such as countertransferences and challenging clinical conversations.

December 3, 2022

CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE PSYCHOANALYTICALLY INFORMED TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (SUDs)

Using both psychoanalytic writing and a case conference format participants will examine analytic perspectives on SUD’s and deepen their understanding of the dynamic underpinnings of their own cases.

Dr. Holly Han

November 5, 2022

MOURNING AND MELANCHOLIA: GRIEVING THE DEATH OF A MOTHER IN A 9 YEAR OLD AND AN 18 YEAR OLD

Robin Goldberg, PhD
June 11, 2022

THE VITALITY/FUTILITY CONTINUUM: HOW TO BE ISOLATED WITHOUT BEING INSULATED

David Wayne, PhD
May 14, 2022
Central to Winnicott’s developmental schema is the concept of “the false self.” Winnicott views the false self as sophisticated and effective protection from “unbearable agonies.” At the same time, he also articulates the great costs of this defense; futility and isolation. This seminar will consider developmental factors that contribute to the development of the false self and the accompanying sense of futility, and how to identify when the false self is active. In addition, therapeutic strategies that nurture the true self will be explored.

DREAMING THE UNCONSCIOUS THROUGH COLLAGE

Glenda Corstorphine, PsyD
Apr. 9, 2022
This course will focus on the idea that we can access our unconscious thoughts and images through art, specifically collage. There will be an introduction to “dreaming while awake” referencing both Bion and Thomas Ogden’s thoughts. Participants will be invited to create a collage that represents work with a patient. There will be time to make more than one collage and also time to process what we create with the group. Art materials will be provided.

MOMENTS OF MEETING: A SELF PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH TO HEALING: STUDY GROUP AND CASE CONSULTATION

Judy Zevin, PsyD
Mar. 12, 2022
This course provides a Self Psychological/Relational approach to healing with an emphasis on clinical application. There will be an expectation to come prepared having read two articles on Self Psychology and relational Theory with some case material in mind. We will study the articles together and I will illustrate with case material. There will be the opportunity for class members to consider their own work in light of our reading and discussion.

Past Salons (2021)

THE ENNEAGRAM: A TOOL FOR PSYCHOANALYTIC AND SPIRITUAL INTEGRATION

Suzanne Shaw, Psy.D.
Dec. 4, 2021
This course will present an ancient personality assessment and typology tool called the Enneagram for basic understanding and clinical use. Learners will be exposed to the basic structure, triads, types, subtypes, and movements of progression and regression that make the Enneagram such a complex and useful diagram for self-and other-awareness and understanding.

CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE PSYCHOANALYTICALLY INFORMED TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (SUD’S)

Holly Han, PsyD, MFT
Nov. 6, 2021
Using a case conference format participants will examine analytic perspectives on SUD’s and deepen their understanding of the psychodynamic underpinnings of their own cases.

ASIAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: ETHNIC IDENTITY, RACIAL TRAUMA, AND WHITE ADJACENCY

Kris Yi, Ph.D., Psy.D.
June 26, 2021
This course explores challenges in working with Asian American (AA) patients with traumas from (1) racism and/or (2) Asian cultural practices. It is often assumed that Asian Americans are successful in America: We will look at how this Model Minority/ White Adjacency stereotype obscures othering of Asian Americans and explore an unconscious defensive idealization of Whites and denial of anti- Asian discriminations and microaggressions.

BABY AND (M)OTHER

Dr. Robin Goldberg
May 15, 2021
Through moving film and video micro-analyses, we will think together about the psychological birth of the infant in relation to the other, about what predispositions the human infant enters the world with and how these predispositions interact through body mind and world to impact the developing personality. We will engage with the work of developmental psychoanalysts Louis Sander, Daniel Stern, Beatrice Beebe and Steven Seligman as we think about the foundations of attachment and the qualities of vitality that underlie our relational ways of knowing.

MODERN PSYCHODYNAMIC UNDERSTANDING OF ADDICTION

Lance Dodes, M.D.
May 1, 2021
Addiction has long been deeply misunderstood in both our culture and clinical
practice. Rather than being a reflection of impulsivity, self-destructiveness or genetic or physical factors, addiction can be shown to be an understandable psychological symptom that is like other compulsive behaviors. Correspondingly, addiction for most people is highly treatable in psychodynamically-oriented psychotherapy or psychoanalysis. The course will address the role of physical, genetic, and neurobiological factors, the history of psychoanalytic views of addiction, current understanding, treatment approaches, the rehabilitation industry and 12-step programs and, as time permits, myths about addiction, couples therapy and related topics.

THE VITALITY/FUTILITY CONTINUUM: HOW TO BE “ISOLATED” WITHOUT BEING “INSULATED”

Dr. David Wayne
April 17, 2021
Central to Winnicott’s developmental schema is the concept of “the false self.” Winnicott views the false self as a sophisticated and effective protection from “unbearable agonies.” At the same time, he also articulates the great costs of this defense; futility and isolation. This seminar will consider developmental factors that contribute to the development of the false self and the accompanying sense of futility, and how to identify when the false self is active. In addition, therapeutic strategies that nurture the true self will be explored.

Suicide Interventions in Relational Psychotherapy

Lawrence Hedges, Ph.D., Psy.D., ABPP
March 20, 2021
This intermediate to advanced course for mental health professionals begins with the awareness that our ability to predict suicide is little better than chance and that at present there are no consistently reliable empirically validated treatment techniques to prevent suicide. However, Dr. Hedges will demonstrate that in the past three decades much has been learned about the dynamics of suicide and many promising treatment approaches have been advanced that are slowly yielding clinical as well as empirical results.

INTERNAL NARCISSISTIC OBJECT RELATIONS: THE OFTEN OVERLOOKED ROSETTA STONE TO UNDERSTANDING THE PATIENT’S INABILITY TO CHANGE AND TO BE GENUINELY RESPONSIVE TO THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP

Dr. William L. Edkins, Psy.D., Psy.D.
March 13, 2021
Narcissistic injury can occur when reality disturbs one’s sense of well-being and personal worth. In order to escape the resulting feelings of: neediness, pain, littleness, loneliness, humiliation and shame, one creates internal narcissistic objects as protection. These work by bringing the hurtful person within so that the injured person gains the illusion of control over the painful situation. For instance, the therapist who causes hurt due to his or her vacation can be transformed into someone devalued and not helpful. The internalization can also allow the person to change the representation of himself. In the same example of the therapist’s vacation, by internalizing the therapist who leaves and the patient who is left, the patient can change the vulnerable self into an independent or all together self who never even noticed the separation. It is quite possible to conduct a psychotherapy and not even reach these internal organizations because they typically exist as a split-off, encapsulated part of the personality, even in otherwise highly functioning patients.

CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND RACIAL JUSTICE

Donna M Orange
March 6, 2021
Several years ago (Orange, 2017), I identified western, especially U.S. mindlessness about enslavement and colonialism as the most important factor underlying climate unconsciousness. Inability to confront this history makes us unable to feel the suffering our privileged lifestyles create and perpetuate. Recent history has brought these concerns center-stage. Now it has become clear that climate and racial injustice can only be addressed together. We will use Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste and Judith Butler’s The Power of Nonviolence to help us consider what radical ethics might demand of us now.

PSYCHOANALYTIC PERSPECTIVES ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE & ADDICTION

Holly Han, PsyD, MFT
February 27, 2021
This course will provide students with psychoanalytic insights and ideas regarding substance abuse/addictions. Applications of these concepts will be discussed using clinical work from the instructor, as well as from class participants.

FINDING WORDS FOR WORDLESS GRIEF – WHEN THE EXISTENTIAL EXPERIENCE OF LOSS INTERSECTS WITH PSYCHOANALYTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY

Martha Carr, Psy.d. LMFT
January 23, 2021
Existential issues such as loss can challenge the therapist to shift their traditional therapeutic or analytic stance with their clients. This is true whether it is the therapist who has suffered the loss or the client. This course will explore the various ways in which that may occur and how to work with it. We will examine the nature and stages of grief and healing in a variety of contexts such as parent loss, sibling loss, spousal loss etc. Looking at the role of personality, attachment and personal history in the healing process will also be addressed. Knowing when to normalize this very human experience of grief as an existential experience and when to move more deeply into the unique dynamics of your client will be explored. There will be plenty of time for discussion.

TENDING THE UNBORN

David Wayne, PhD

In 1975 Margaret Mahler published The Psychological Birth of the Human Infant: Symbiosis and Individuation.  Through this lense, physical birth and psychological birth, while intertwined, are seen as distinct events.

A case will be presented in which over time, it became evident, this physically birthed human had not yet become psychologically born.  The “discovery journey” was excruciatingly experiential for both patient and analyst; emptiness, manically treading water, terrified someone will sense the emptiness inside or be discovered as alien.  One has a feeling of watching but not participating, waiting for life to begin. Paranoia is a constant companion, the black of space the only vista.  One has to work exceedingly to have any hope of belonging, even if only for a moment. There is no feeling of connection to others without blinding terror and paranoia. No matter how great the effort, it all ends in futility.

“It is a pleasure to be hidden, but a disaster to not be found.”

DW Winnicott

This is the chronical of a journey taken by patient and therapist into the black abyss of insanity, formlessness, and desperation.  This is the story of how the analyst “found” his patient, and how she became psychologically born.

February 11, 2023

THE INCLUSIVE SELF IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

Laura Caghan, Psy.D. & Ricardo Gonsalves, EdD

The therapists’ role must shift in response to a changing world. Together we’ll reflect on our own personal and professional development in a time of social, cultural and global change. By identifying intersectional issues, multiple perspectives, and our own blind spots, we’ll reconsider how we perceive others’ ethnicity, class, gender, and so on. We’ll then apply our insights to therapeutic encounters such as countertransferences and challenging clinical conversations.

December 3, 2022

CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE PSYCHOANALYTICALLY INFORMED TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (SUDs)

Using both psychoanalytic writing and a case conference format participants will examine analytic perspectives on SUD’s and deepen their understanding of the dynamic underpinnings of their own cases.

Dr. Holly Han

November 5, 2022

MOURNING AND MELANCHOLIA: GRIEVING THE DEATH OF A MOTHER IN A 9 YEAR OLD AND AN 18 YEAR OLD

Robin Goldberg, PhD
June 11, 2022

THE VITALITY/FUTILITY CONTINUUM: HOW TO BE ISOLATED WITHOUT BEING INSULATED

David Wayne, PhD
May 14, 2022
Central to Winnicott’s developmental schema is the concept of “the false self.” Winnicott views the false self as sophisticated and effective protection from “unbearable agonies.” At the same time, he also articulates the great costs of this defense; futility and isolation. This seminar will consider developmental factors that contribute to the development of the false self and the accompanying sense of futility, and how to identify when the false self is active. In addition, therapeutic strategies that nurture the true self will be explored.

DREAMING THE UNCONSCIOUS THROUGH COLLAGE

Glenda Corstorphine, PsyD
Apr. 9, 2022
This course will focus on the idea that we can access our unconscious thoughts and images through art, specifically collage. There will be an introduction to “dreaming while awake” referencing both Bion and Thomas Ogden’s thoughts. Participants will be invited to create a collage that represents work with a patient. There will be time to make more than one collage and also time to process what we create with the group. Art materials will be provided.

MOMENTS OF MEETING: A SELF PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH TO HEALING: STUDY GROUP AND CASE CONSULTATION

Judy Zevin, PsyD
Mar. 12, 2022
This course provides a Self Psychological/Relational approach to healing with an emphasis on clinical application. There will be an expectation to come prepared having read two articles on Self Psychology and relational Theory with some case material in mind. We will study the articles together and I will illustrate with case material. There will be the opportunity for class members to consider their own work in light of our reading and discussion.

Past Salons (2021)

THE ENNEAGRAM: A TOOL FOR PSYCHOANALYTIC AND SPIRITUAL INTEGRATION

Suzanne Shaw, Psy.D.
Dec. 4, 2021
This course will present an ancient personality assessment and typology tool called the Enneagram for basic understanding and clinical use. Learners will be exposed to the basic structure, triads, types, subtypes, and movements of progression and regression that make the Enneagram such a complex and useful diagram for self-and other-awareness and understanding.

CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE PSYCHOANALYTICALLY INFORMED TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (SUD’S)

Holly Han, PsyD, MFT
Nov. 6, 2021
Using a case conference format participants will examine analytic perspectives on SUD’s and deepen their understanding of the psychodynamic underpinnings of their own cases.

ASIAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: ETHNIC IDENTITY, RACIAL TRAUMA, AND WHITE ADJACENCY

Kris Yi, Ph.D., Psy.D.
June 26, 2021
This course explores challenges in working with Asian American (AA) patients with traumas from (1) racism and/or (2) Asian cultural practices. It is often assumed that Asian Americans are successful in America: We will look at how this Model Minority/ White Adjacency stereotype obscures othering of Asian Americans and explore an unconscious defensive idealization of Whites and denial of anti- Asian discriminations and microaggressions.

BABY AND (M)OTHER

Dr. Robin Goldberg
May 15, 2021
Through moving film and video micro-analyses, we will think together about the psychological birth of the infant in relation to the other, about what predispositions the human infant enters the world with and how these predispositions interact through body mind and world to impact the developing personality. We will engage with the work of developmental psychoanalysts Louis Sander, Daniel Stern, Beatrice Beebe and Steven Seligman as we think about the foundations of attachment and the qualities of vitality that underlie our relational ways of knowing.

MODERN PSYCHODYNAMIC UNDERSTANDING OF ADDICTION

Lance Dodes, M.D.
May 1, 2021
Addiction has long been deeply misunderstood in both our culture and clinical
practice. Rather than being a reflection of impulsivity, self-destructiveness or genetic or physical factors, addiction can be shown to be an understandable psychological symptom that is like other compulsive behaviors. Correspondingly, addiction for most people is highly treatable in psychodynamically-oriented psychotherapy or psychoanalysis. The course will address the role of physical, genetic, and neurobiological factors, the history of psychoanalytic views of addiction, current understanding, treatment approaches, the rehabilitation industry and 12-step programs and, as time permits, myths about addiction, couples therapy and related topics.

THE VITALITY/FUTILITY CONTINUUM: HOW TO BE “ISOLATED” WITHOUT BEING “INSULATED”

Dr. David Wayne
April 17, 2021
Central to Winnicott’s developmental schema is the concept of “the false self.” Winnicott views the false self as a sophisticated and effective protection from “unbearable agonies.” At the same time, he also articulates the great costs of this defense; futility and isolation. This seminar will consider developmental factors that contribute to the development of the false self and the accompanying sense of futility, and how to identify when the false self is active. In addition, therapeutic strategies that nurture the true self will be explored.

Suicide Interventions in Relational Psychotherapy

Lawrence Hedges, Ph.D., Psy.D., ABPP
March 20, 2021
This intermediate to advanced course for mental health professionals begins with the awareness that our ability to predict suicide is little better than chance and that at present there are no consistently reliable empirically validated treatment techniques to prevent suicide. However, Dr. Hedges will demonstrate that in the past three decades much has been learned about the dynamics of suicide and many promising treatment approaches have been advanced that are slowly yielding clinical as well as empirical results.

INTERNAL NARCISSISTIC OBJECT RELATIONS: THE OFTEN OVERLOOKED ROSETTA STONE TO UNDERSTANDING THE PATIENT’S INABILITY TO CHANGE AND TO BE GENUINELY RESPONSIVE TO THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP

Dr. William L. Edkins, Psy.D., Psy.D.
March 13, 2021
Narcissistic injury can occur when reality disturbs one’s sense of well-being and personal worth. In order to escape the resulting feelings of: neediness, pain, littleness, loneliness, humiliation and shame, one creates internal narcissistic objects as protection. These work by bringing the hurtful person within so that the injured person gains the illusion of control over the painful situation. For instance, the therapist who causes hurt due to his or her vacation can be transformed into someone devalued and not helpful. The internalization can also allow the person to change the representation of himself. In the same example of the therapist’s vacation, by internalizing the therapist who leaves and the patient who is left, the patient can change the vulnerable self into an independent or all together self who never even noticed the separation. It is quite possible to conduct a psychotherapy and not even reach these internal organizations because they typically exist as a split-off, encapsulated part of the personality, even in otherwise highly functioning patients.

CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND RACIAL JUSTICE

Donna M Orange
March 6, 2021
Several years ago (Orange, 2017), I identified western, especially U.S. mindlessness about enslavement and colonialism as the most important factor underlying climate unconsciousness. Inability to confront this history makes us unable to feel the suffering our privileged lifestyles create and perpetuate. Recent history has brought these concerns center-stage. Now it has become clear that climate and racial injustice can only be addressed together. We will use Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste and Judith Butler’s The Power of Nonviolence to help us consider what radical ethics might demand of us now.

PSYCHOANALYTIC PERSPECTIVES ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE & ADDICTION

Holly Han, PsyD, MFT
February 27, 2021
This course will provide students with psychoanalytic insights and ideas regarding substance abuse/addictions. Applications of these concepts will be discussed using clinical work from the instructor, as well as from class participants.

FINDING WORDS FOR WORDLESS GRIEF – WHEN THE EXISTENTIAL EXPERIENCE OF LOSS INTERSECTS WITH PSYCHOANALYTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY

Martha Carr, Psy.d. LMFT
January 23, 2021
Existential issues such as loss can challenge the therapist to shift their traditional therapeutic or analytic stance with their clients. This is true whether it is the therapist who has suffered the loss or the client. This course will explore the various ways in which that may occur and how to work with it. We will examine the nature and stages of grief and healing in a variety of contexts such as parent loss, sibling loss, spousal loss etc. Looking at the role of personality, attachment and personal history in the healing process will also be addressed. Knowing when to normalize this very human experience of grief as an existential experience and when to move more deeply into the unique dynamics of your client will be explored. There will be plenty of time for discussion.