co-sponsored by: The Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute

Emptiness and Transformation in Psychoanalysis

Presenter: Eric Jiang

Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 7:00 - 9:00 PM Central time

By Zoom Only

Eric Jiang

Certified Clinical supervisor in Chinese Psychology

Psychoanalyst, graduated from Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute

The founder of Si Chuan He Guguang Clinical Psychology Institute

Description: 

In traditional Chinese religious and philosophical traditions, including Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism, there are profound elaborations on emptiness (śūnyatā) and enlightenment, as well as wisdom. Within emptiness, enlightenment occurs, and enlightenment, in turn, deepens the understanding of emptiness. Similarly, in Judaism, there are also descriptions of void or emptiness. In psychoanalysis, Freud’s concepts of the mirror, free association, and evenly floating attention, as well as Bion’s later notion of "No memory, No desire," all contain ideas resonant with emptiness. This lecture aims to explore the relationship between emptiness and transformation in the clinical practice of psychoanalysis.

Approximate breakdown of time:

First Hour: presentation

Second Hour: discussion with audience

Learning Objectives

After attending this session, participants should be able to:

1. Describe one way one of these religions (Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism for Judaism) define emptiness.
2. Describe how one of Freud's concepts ( mirroring, free association or evenly floating attention) or Bion's concept of "No memory No desire" contain ideas resonant with emptiness.
3. Describe how emptiness and transformation can be seen in the clinical practice of psychoanalysis.

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

The presenter, Eric Jiang, and the organizer, Lisa Karaitis, PsyD, have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to report.

Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program.

ACCME Accreditation Statement: 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 (APsA) and the Chicago Psychoanalytic Society. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA Credit Designation Statement: The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Statement: The APsA CE Committee has reviewed the materials for accredited continuing education and has determined that this activity is not related to the product line of ineligible companies and therefore, the activity meets the exception outlined in Standard 3: ACCME's identification, mitigation and disclosure of relevant financial relationship. This activity does not have any known commercial support.

Accreditation Information for Professionals Other Than Physicians.  The Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content, in relation to accreditation for CE credits for non-physicians.  CPI is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to sponsor continuing education credits for (license numbers in parentheses): Social Workers (159.000122), Professional Counselors (197.000202), Marriage and Family Therapy Therapists (168.00204), and Clinical Psychologists (268.000091). 

Eligible professionals will receive 2.0 continuing education credits for attending the entire program. To receive these credits an evaluation form must be completed online. Learners must claim the amount of time spent in the educational activity and that will be the amount of credit they will earn.

Retirement Discussion Groups

Facilitated by:

Lucy Freund, PhD and Neal Spira, MD

Dates/Times TBD

Please pre-register here if you are interested.

Thank you for your interest in joining our small group discussions with Lucy Freund and Neal Spira.  If you are retired or thinking of retirement, please pre-register now to let us know your availability.

Sessions are limited to 12 participants and you must be a member of the Society to participate.  If you are not yet a member, you can join the Society now by clicking here.