Proposal
The Sydney Institute for Psycho-Analysis envisage running a series of psychoanalytic study groups over a six session period during each school semester over the next three to four years.
This study group is designed as an introduction to psychoanalytic ideas. It is aimed at professionals who are interested in learning about and understanding psychoanalytic thought, ideas and concepts. No prior knowledge is required. Those with an extensive understanding who may want to refresh or revisit the ideas are welcome. It is an opportunity to think about how you might apply psychoanalytic ideas in your own work.
The group will meet on a fortnightly basis beginning the first Thursday night of the semester.
Over the course of the year there will be 6 meetings per semester.
Each fortnightly meeting will be for 1 ½ hours on a Thursday evening beginning at 7.30pm.
There will be a theme modelled on a series of lectures run by the Sydney Institute for Psychoanalysis for members of the public and its own candidates between 1997 and 1999.
Participants are required to commit to attendance one term at a time. Participants need to anticipate being able to attend at least 4 of the groups for the semester and pay in advance ( We anticipate the cost to be $300 per member per term payable to the Sydney Institute for Psycho-analysis) for a full semester at a time – which is the series of 6 group meetings.
Where appropriate reading material will be provided and audio material will be available as a download from the internet. Alternatively audio tapes may be made available for cost price.
The purpose of the study group is to gain an understanding of psychoanalysis including: the history of Psychoanalysis and its development over time, beginning with Freuds theories on the mind. The programme outline is attached.
For each semester the series of study group meetings will have a theme. One article will be given to participants to read prior to the next study group meeting. Members of the group will be able to listen in their own time to a podcast of a Sydney Psychoanalyst lecturing on this topic before each discussion group. Participants will read, reflect and think about the article and topic. Participants will be given the opportunity of bringing their own experiences to the group meeting. Your thoughts, feelings and opinions about the article or topic will be open for general discussion.
The group setting is an opportunity to share your thoughts with others, clarify meanings/understandings of the topic, ideas and/or article. It is an opportunity to develop connections with others in the community who have a shared interest. Also, participants can think about their own clinical work that might provide an example of the application of the idea or topic. It is an opportunity for stimulating, interesting and lively discussion on different psychoanalytic ideas and concepts. The group is NOT a psychotherapy group.
There will be a list of readings for each fortnight but only one will be selected to be read for the group meeting. But, certainly people are free to read more about it if they want.
This psychoanalytic study group is a way of developing interest and understanding in the professional community in the region about psychoanalytic ideas and concepts.
The Study Group we envisage will be supported by the Sydney Institute for Psychoanalysis as part of its outreach activity. Where possible visiting analysts may be invited to the group either in person or by internet link up. Participants will be given a certificate of completion after each series. We envisage that the programme will meet the criteria for Professional development points for Psychiatrists, Doctors, Psychologists, Social Workers and Nurses etc.
The group meetings will be facilitated by Dr Tom Wilmot, Psychoanalyst who practices part-time in Lismore and part-time in Sydney.
Expressions of interest and/or for more information contact Karen Potter.
