The I in Us, the Us in Self:
A Relational Focus on Therapeutic Interactions

About the Program:

This mid-year conference, presented by our Viennese colleagues, explores the significance and impact of therapists’ selfobject needs in the therapeutic process. Drawing on personal clinical experience and grounded in the theoretical contributions of Kohut, Stolorow, Atwood, and Jaenicke, we examine how the therapist’s subjectivity and narcissistic needs inevitably participate in and co-construct the therapeutic relationship. What unfolds on the asymmetrical level of the therapeutic relationship is nourished by the affectively charged, bidirectional interaction of two subjectivities: professional role and personal experience cannot be disentangled in clinical practice.

Detailed clinical material from the long term treatment of a 26-year-old patient  illustrates how mutual activation of selfobject needs can lead to disruptions, distancing, and repetitions of maladaptive relational patterns. When left unreflected, these dynamics can intensify reactions  and misattunements on both sides which bring attention to the intersubjective disjunction that needs to be explored. Healing emerges as a reciprocal, circular process, as change in the patient presupposes a willingness to change in the therapist.

Christopher Holler's presentation will be followed by discussions--by Marlene Sator and by Petra Purkathofer. Then all attendees will be invited to join the discussion. Ample time will be given for audience participation. 

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the program, attendees will be able to:

1. Identify and discuss the impact of the therapist’s selfobject needs on the therapy process with special attention to the intersection of the therapist’s needs and the patient’s needs.
2.  Provide one example of how reflecting on one’s vulnerability to feeling shame can restore capacity for empathy and introspection, and can enhance therapeutic effectiveness.
3.  Distinguish between the asymmetric (role-defined) and bidirectional (reciprocal) dimensions of the therapeutic relationship.
4. Describe how therapists’ selfobject needs (e.g., mirroring, twinship and idealization needs) manifest within the therapeutic relationship and influence the intersubjective field.

About the Speakers:

Marlene Sator, born 1978 in Vienna, holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Vienna, with research focusing on healthcare communication and clinical interaction. She developed and has been leading a national communication training program for health professionals at the Austrian Public Health Institute. Since 2022, she is a licensed psychotherapist with completed training in Systemic Family Therapy and is currently undergoing advanced training in Psychoanalytic Self Psychology (Vienna Circle for Psychoanalysis and Self Psychology & University of Vienna). She maintains a private practice in Vienna.

Petra Purkarthofer is a trained psychoanalyst and works as a psychotherapist in her private practice in Vienna. She holds a master’s degree in “Self Psychology” from the University of Vienna and is a member of the Vienna Circle for Psychoanalysis and Self Psychology in Vienna, Austria. She was the recipient of an ECP award provided by the IAPSP. Since 2023 she has been a member of the International Council of IAPSP and has participated continuously in IAPSP activities. She is also working as a lecturer in the field of political science and international development at the University of Vienna.

Christopher Holler, is an academically trained youth and sociocultural educator and psychoanalyst in private practice in Vienna, where he works with adults, couples, and adolescents.
He has gained most of his professional experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, as well as with people—particularly children and adolescents—experiencing mental health disorders, and with at-risk and juvenile offenders in a variety of institutional and project-based settings.

Andrea Harms, Ph.D., is a clinical and health psychologist and a licensed psychotherapist with advanced training in infant, child, and adolescent psychotherapy. She is a psychoanalyst in private practice in Vienna and Gmunden, Austria.
She serves as a training analyst and supervisor and was President of the Vienna Circle for Psychoanalysis and Self Psychology from 2006 to 2018. She is a faculty member of the Vienna Circle for Psychoanalysis and Self Psychology (WKPS/VCPSP) in the master's program Self Psychology at the University of Vienna.
She is co-founder and until 2023, faculty member of the master's program Early Care Counseling: Early Intervention, Family Support, and Parent Counseling at the University of Vienna.
From 2000 to 2022, she has been Director of the Interdisciplinary Forum for Developmental Support and Family Guidance (IFEF) and its affiliated training institute (BIFEF).
She is an emeritus member of the International Council of the International Association for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology (IAPSP).
In addition to her extensive supervisory work, she has published widely, particularly in the journal Self Psychology and the Yearbook of Self Psychology.
E-Mail: dr.andrea.harms@gmail.com

Christa Paulinz, MA is a psychoanalyst in private practise in Stockerau/Austria. She works with adults, adolescents and children. She is a training analyst and supervisor at the Viennese Circle for Psychoanalysis and Selfpsychology (WKPS/VCPSP). She is faculty member of the WKPS/VCPSP at the MasterProgram for Psychoanalysis and Selfpsychology at the University of Vienna.
She is member of the board of the WKPS/VCPSP (current president).
Contact Christa Paulinz MA, christa.paulinz@selbstpsychologie.at, WKPS Jaquingasse 4/7, 1030 Wien

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Program will run from:

11am - 2pm Eastern (NYC) time
10 am - 1pm Central time
8 am - 11am Pacific time
5 pm - 8 pm Western Europe & South Africa
6pm - 9pm Turkey and Israel

Agenda:

• Introduction: Andrea Harms and Christa Paulinz:  20 min 

• Case Presentation: Christopher Holler: 45 min

• Break 10 min 

• Discussion #1: Marlene Sator: 20 min

• Discussion #2: Petra Purkarthofer: 20 min

• Audience Participation: 50 min

• Closing Remarks: Andrea Harms and Christa Paulinz

Registration Fees:

IAPSP Members:  Free

Non Members: 

Professionals:  $40.00
Early Career Professionals: $30.00
Students:  $15.00

All non-member participants from South Africa, Turkey, Iran and Ukraine: $15.00

Optional Fee:
For Participants wanting CE Accreditation / Certificate: $10.00

Continuing Education:

This conference is appropriate for clinicians at all levels of experience and offers 3 CEs
Psychologists: IAPSP is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. IAPSP maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Social Workers: IAPSP is an approved  New York State Education Department Continuing Education Provider, with  #SW-0232. This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886494402-3438) for 3 continuing education contact hours.

Attendance will be confirmed by online reports. Credit will not be granted to registrants who are more than 15 minutes late or depart more than 15 minutes early from the session.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION FOR ALL LEARNERS:All presenters and planners of this activity have informed us that they do not have a conflict of interest and have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationship with any commercial interests pertaining to this educational activity. Additionally, the presenters have been instructed to disclose any limitations of data and unlabeled or investigational uses of products during this presentation. This presentation will not contain any references to off-label (non-FDA approved) use of products or devices.