2024 FREUD CONFERENCE
human goodness:
Theoretical Basis and Technical Applications
We are pleased to advise that The Freud Conference will again be a live conference as we are returning to the Melbourne Brain Centre on Saturday May 18.
PROGRAM
08.30 Registration & Coffee/Tea
09.00– 9.10 Introduction and Welcome: Dr Christine Hill
MORNING SESSIONS
09.15– 10.45 Chair: Eve Steel
Dr SALMAN AKHTAR
HUMAN GOODNESS: Theoretical Basis
Appearing to be totally free from moral anchors, psychoanalytic theory does contain scattered views on human goodness.
Surveying the writings of Sigmund Freud, Melanie Klein, Donald Winnicott, Erik Erikson, and Wilfred Bion reveals that the psychoanalytic portrayal of ‘goodness’ consists of
i. rationality, restraint, epistemic enthusiasm, and striving for syntheses;
ii. humility, gratitude, empathy, and reparation;
iii. authenticity, concern for others, and playfulness,
iv. trust, generativity, and care; and
v. truthfulness and faith.
Such ‘goodness’ seems to have a multifaceted impact upon the day-to-day work of the psychoanalyst.
11.15 – 12.45 Chair: Eve Steel
Dr SALMAN AKHTAR
HUMAN GOODNESS: Technical Applications
This session will elucidate eight different ways in which this is evident including the therapist’s 1. providing goodness to the patient;
2. behaving with good manners;
3. seeing goodness in the patient;
4. accepting patient’s goodness;
5. diagnosing and analysing false goodness;
6. interpreting patient’s defences against the analyst’s goodness;
7. interpreting patient’s defences against his own goodness; and,
8. exploring the history and meanings of the word ‘good’ for the patient.
These measures will be discussed utilizing illustrations from movies, popular literature, poetry, and clinical work.
Learning Objectives
As a result of listening to this presentation, the attendee will be able to:
• Enumerate the components of human goodness;
• List the various ways in which the concept of goodness effects therapeutic technique;
• Empathise better with patients struggling with recognising goodness in others and in their own selves.
12.45 – 14.00 Lunch
AFTERNOON SESSIONS
14.00 – 15.30 Chair: Paul McEvoy
Dr ROB GORDON
What is the essence of the psychoanalytic relationship?
When Freud and Breuer’s patient fell in love with them, Breuer retired from the field, whereas Freud analysed the relationship, opening up the field of transference which became central to psychoanalytic work. Working with transference enables change which would not otherwise be possible. There is an extensive body of theory about transference, yet it is activated by an existing relationship that takes on a symbolic meaning, to become the receptacle for the client’s fantasy.
What evokes transference in a relationship? Is it automatic or are there conditions that provoke it?
What holds the relationship in place while transference is worked through? How do we recognise the other relationship when transference is present? This presentation explores the non-transference relationship which lacks a similar theoretical development as transference.
Though we still adhere to the fundamental condition that Freud discovered to make therapy possible: non-judgement. Beginning with this idea, a framework to define the non-transference relationship will be explored in work with adolescents, adults and groups.
15.30 – 15.50 Afternoon break
15.50 – 17.00 PANEL DISCUSSION
Dr Peter Smith will discuss, and then lead, an open forum on issues raised from all three presentations.
Readings Bookstall will be available at the Conference
Freud Conference Committee
Chris Hill (AAGP)
Roslyn Glickfield (APAS)
Maryana Podreka (AAGP)
Gurli Hughes (Administrative Manager)
Damien Pierce (Media and Design)
