Gender and Sexuality

Adult Psychoanalytic Training (APT)
2019-20, 1st Trimester — Fridays, 1:45-3:15pm
John Cardinali, PsyD
Karen Weisbard, PsyD

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Introduction

This nine-week course is designed to give participants an overview of contemporary psychoanalytic theory and practice in the broad field of gender and sexuality.   The evolution of psychoanalytic thought in the context of changes in society over the past half century will be illuminated as the following topics are explored:  developmental aspects of psychosexuality and gender identity; homosexuality; transgender identifications; sexuality as an embodied experience; and perversion.

Learning Objectives

1. Through gaining an understanding of how psychoanalytic theory and practice regarding gender and sexuality have evolved over the past half century, clinical associates will be able to provide more sensitive and relevant treatment.
2. While gaining knowledge regarding contemporary theories of psychosexual development, homosexuality, transgender experience, perversion and sexuality as an embodied experience, students will have an opportunity to deepen their philosophical understanding of how individuals, groups and society at large determine what is considered normal versus what is considered pathological. Such an understanding will allow clinical associates to listen to patient material with sensitivity to cultural blind spots which will increase treatment effectiveness.
3. Readings represent a broad range of clinical approaches and theory. Students will be encouraged to discuss their own clinical experiences. As a result, students will be better able to respond flexibly and creatively to their patient’s material regarding gender and sexuality. Specifically, class discussion will include a consideration of different types of intervention which is informed by our study of gender and sexuality.

November 8, 2019 — Introduction

[34 pages]

This session will provide an introductory framework for the course.  We will consider historical influences on the development of psychoanalytic theorizing on sexuality and gender identity.  In addition, we will take time to determine individual learning objectives for members of the class.

Dimen, M. & Goldner, V. (2011). Ch10, “Gender and Sexuality” in Textbook of Psychoanalysis (2nd Edition), pp133-152.

Chodorow, N. (2011). Freud’s Three Essays on Sexuality, ch. 4 in Individualizing Gender and Sexuality, pp26-39.

Optional Reading

Herzog, D. (2015). What happened to psychoanalysis in the wake of the sexual revolution?. In Sexualities: Contemporary Psychoanalytic Perspectives (pp.19-40)