| | | APSA_NY12-401 | | Neuroscience Symposium: Empirical Social Cognitive Neuroscience Research as a Basis for a Comprehensive Theory of Psychotherapeutic Change Speakers: George G. Fishman, MD (Chestnut Hill, MA); Andrew J. Gerber, MD, PhD (New York, NY); Glen O. Gabbard, MD (Houston, TX) This session proposes a theory of psychotherapeutic change composed of three components: (1) Exposure (aka making the unconscious conscious), (2) Restructuring of relationship representations (aka transference and interpersonal work), and (3) Co-construction of a coherent narrative (aka developing a secure attachment). Empirical data from contemporary social cognitive neuroscience, including Dr. Andrew Gerber’s data from an fMRI adaptation of Susan Andersen’s transference paradigm, are used to support this argument and to propose empirically testable hypotheses about therapeutic change and the appropriate tailoring of interventions to specific patients and situations. Some pilot data from MRI studies of therapeutic change across different types of psychotherapy are presented. All are discussed in the context of a psychoanalytic metapsychology and relevance to the relationship between psychoanalysis and empirical research. Audio CDs: 1 | | Audio CD | | $15.00 | | $15.00 | |
| | | APSA_NY12-309 | | Scientific Paper 4: Neutrality and the Ethics of Desire Speakers: Author: Lewis A. Kirshner, MD (Cambridge, MA) In this paper, the concept of an ethics specific to psychoanalysis are explored through a critical reading of Lacan’s seminar, The Ethics of Psychoanalysis. While it must obviously address moral concerns, a psychoanalytic ethics should also embody a unique perspective on human nature growing out of analytic experience and knowledge. In particular, the analyst’s desire is always in play in his attempt to sustain an ethical position. An examination of Lacan’s seminar highlights this link, but also points to a number of unresolved problems. Audio CDs: 1 | | Audio CD | | $15.00 | | $15.00 | |