Psychoanalytic treatment of psychosis

Psychoanalytic treatment of psychosis: From breakdown to breakthrough

With Danielle Knafo and Michael Selzer (Discussant)

Psychoanalytic treatment of psychosis is rarely taught in trainings, and unfortunately a lack of preparedness results in avoidance of such work. Our speakers Dr Knafo and Dr Selzer will bring both theoretical understandings, clinical techniques and case material so that psychotherapists may feel more confident to engage with this challenging work.

Our speakers conceptualise psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, as a person’s attempt to cope under highly stressful, traumatic or isolating circumstances. They emphasise the importance of therapists reading and responding to unconscious messages embedded within the symptoms. In this work, there is an emphasis on the importance of collaborating with and utilising non-psychotic self-parts to aid recovery and the importance of containing strong transference and countertransference experiences.

In the first session of the seminar, Dr Knafo will introduce a psychoanalytic approach to working with psychosis. The theoretical talk will be followed by a case presentation. Dr Knafo will present the case to which Dr Selzer will respond. The two speakers will engage in a dialogue regarding the benefits and disadvantages of allowing regression in outpatient treatment, and more.

There will be time for discussion with attendees in both parts of the seminar. The aim of the seminar is to cultivate a deeper understanding of the roots of psychotic illness and the possibilities in working psychoanalytically with this patient group. 

For booking details visit TR Together.