Topic: What Goes Through a Psychoanalyst's Mind During a Treatment? A Case Study

Bhaskar Sripada, MD, Sripada, MD, is a member of the Chicago Psychoanalytic Society, faculty at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute, and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago.  In the past he served as Medical Director of the Beacon Therapeutic Diagnostic and Treatment Center and Medical Director, then Acting Director, of the Illinois State Psychiatric Institute. His publications have appeared in The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, The Annual of Psychoanalysis, and Psychodynamic Psychiatry.  His book, When Suicide Beckons: A Psychoanalyst’s Memoir, was published in 2022. 

Presentation Description:  The presentation, based on Bhaskar Sripada’s book, When Suicide Beckons: A Psychoanalyst’s Memoir, provides, verbatim, the beginning of a psychoanalysis that he conducted.  What is unusual is that Sripada also describes his thinking during the sessions, how he decided what to say or not to say, and how he was reacting to his seriously depressed patient.  He also shares a dream he had that was precipitated by the analysis.  The result is a unique exploration into a psychoanalyst’s mind.

Learning Objectives:

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

1. describe the beginning steps of how a patient’s severe depression becomes alleviated during psychoanalysis;
2. identify the elements of countertransference that take place early in this treatment.

Admission is free. Continuing Education Credits are offered exclusively to Society members in all membership categories and those intending to join.

Physicians: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association and the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category I Credit(s) ^TM . Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Psychologists: The Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute is approved as a continuing education sponsor for Psychologists by the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Institute designates this continuing education activity as earning 2.0 hours of Continuing Education Credit. CE Sponsor License #268.000091

Professional Counselors: The Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute is approved as a continuing education sponsor for Professional Counselors by the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Institute designates this continuing education activity as earning 2.0 hours of Continuing Education Credit. CE Sponsor License #197-000202.

Social Workers: The Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute is approved as a continuing education sponsor for Social Workers by the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Institute designates this continuing education activity as earning 2.0 hours of Continuing Education Credit. CE Sponsor License #159-000122.

Marriage and Family Therapists: The Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute is approved as a continuing education sponsor for Marriage and Family Therapists by the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Institute designates this continuing education activity as earning 2.0 hours of Continuing Education Credit. CE Sponsor License #168-000204.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION FOR ALL LEARNERS: None of the planners and presenters for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s)* to disclose with ineligible companies* whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. *Financial relationships are relevant if the educational content an individual can control is related to the business lines or products of the ineligible company.