The Washington School of Psychiatry

a dynamic learning and treatment community for all mental health practitioners making a difference

pictures of WSP programs

Skip Navigation

Brevity and Relatedness: An Object Relations Perspective on Brief Psychotherapy


This program was presented in January 2008


Presenter: Michael Stadter, PhD

6 Thursdays, starting January 17th

Most of the writing and research on brief psychotherapy emphasizes technique. While this has contributed enormously to clinical practice, the therapeutic relationship in brief therapy has not been given adequate attention. Yet it is as important in brief work as it is in long term treatment. Perhaps more than any other psychodynamic perspective, object relations theory focuses on the relationship in therapy, the importance of the holding environment as well as the importance of the specific object relationships that are enacted and reenacted in the therapeutic encounter.

This six week seminar will focus on how the relational perspective of object relations concepts can enhance the practical work of brief therapy. Application of contributions from Klein, Fairbairn, Guntrip, Winnicott, Ogden and D. and J. Scharff will be included.

Seminar topics will include:

  • Object relations concepts and brief therapy
  • Selection: inclusive and exclusive approaches
  • Rapid establishment of the alliance
  • The key and creative challenge of setting a focus
  • Use of interpretation
  • Use of transference and countertransference
  • Use of non-psychodynamic techniques
  • Termination

OBJECTIVES

  1. To apply the principles of object relations theory to brief therapy
  2. To learn the use of focus, symptomatic and dynamic, in brief therapy
  3. To increase awareness of time as an ingredient in therapy
  4. To learn the issues involved with termination in brief therapy

Schedule

Beginning January, 17, 2008 for 6 consecutive Thursdays ending February 21.

Time: 4:30 - 6:30 P.M.

Presenter

Dr. Michael Stadter is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Bethesda. His practice includes long-term and brief psychotherapy, clinical supervision and organizational consultation.

His faculty positions include: Clinical Psychologist-in-Residence in the Department of Psychology at American University, Faculty at the Washington School of Psychiatry in the Clinical Program on Psychotherapy Practice and the Advanced Psychotherapy Training Program, and Faculty and Board Member of the International Psychotherapy Institute.

Dr. Stadter is the author of a number of publications including his book, Object Relations Brief Therapy: The Relationship in Short-term Work (1996) published by Jason Aronson. He is also editor (with David Scharff) of the book, Dimensions of Psychotherapy/Dimensions of Experience: Time, Space, Number and State of Mind (2005) published by Routledge. Additionally, he has been recognized by the Washingtonian magazine as one of the top psychotherapists in the Washington, DC area.

Location

The Washington School of Psychiatry
5028 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC, 20016
Directions

CEU/CME Award - 12

The Washington School of Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to provide continuing education for psychologists. The Washington School maintains responsibility for the program. The School is approved by the Social Work Board of the State of Maryland as a provider of continuing education for social workers. The School is approved by the Medical Society of Maryland (MEDCHI) for continuing education for psychiatrists.

Tuition: $350

Registration

Please call the School at 202-237-2700 to register. You can also use conference registration form to register this seminar by faxing it to WSP at 202-237-2730, or mail the form: Washington School of Psychiatry, 5028 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Ste. 400, Washington, DC 20016.

Cancellations and Refunds

Refunds will be made for cancellations received at the School office in writing prior to January 10 and are subject to a non-refundable administrative fee of $50.