NEW YORK PSYCHOANALYTIC SOCIETY & INSTITUTE:
Scientific Meeting
Marianne and Nicholas Young Auditorium
247 East 82nd St., between 2nd & 3rd, NY, NY, 10028
212-879-6900
www.psychoanalysis.org
www.nypsi.org
Tuesday, December 8, 2015, 8-10 pm
Bion’s Discovery of Alpha Function: Changes in Psychoanalytic Theory and Technique
Lawrence J. Brown, Ph.D. Discussant: Irene Cairo, M.D. $10 General AdmissionFree – RSVP For Members & NYPSI Students
This paper explores the various trends in Bion’s personal and psychoanalytic experiences that contributed to the discovery of alpha function formulated during an especially fertile period of approximately two years from 1958 through 1960. Particular attention is paid to Bion’s World War I experiences as a central factor. Dr. Brown traces how Bion came to formulate alpha function, which Brown considers “the ego psychology of Wilfred Bion.” A case vignette from the analysis of an older adolescent is offered to demonstrate the clinical implications of this new model of the mind.
Lawrence J. Brown, Ph.D. is a graduate of the Boston Psychoanalytic Institute (BPSI) in both Child and Adult Psychoanalysis and a supervising child analyst there. He is also on the faculty of BPSI and the Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis. Dr. Brown has served on the Editorial Boards of the International Journal of Psychoanalysis and thePsychoanalytic Quarterly. He is a founding member of the Boston Group for Psychoanalytic Studies and was Co-Chair of the Bion in Boston International Conference held in 2009. Dr. Brown has three published books, including Intersubjective Processes and the Unconscious: An Integration of Freudian, Kleinian and Bionian Perspectives, (Routledge, 2011). He also has another book in progress, Contemporary Psychoanalysis: The Theory and Technique of Transformations, to be published by IPA Publications and Karnac. He is the author of many papers covering such topics as countertransference, trauma, the Oedipus complex, the capacity for humor in Asperger’s children, and the analytic setting.
Irene Cairo, M.D. received her medical degree from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is a graduate and member of the Faculty at the New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute and a Training and Supervising Analyst and member of the Faculty of the Contemporary Freudian Society. Since 1994, Dr. Cairo has co-chaired with Dr. Rogelio Sosnik a discussion group on the work of Wilfred Bion at the biannual meetings of the American Psychoanalytic Association where she is currently a member of the Program Committee. She has participated in many meetings devoted to Bion both regionally and throughout the world. Dr. Cairo is currently North American Chair of the Ethics Committee of the International Psychoanalytic Association. She is the author of numerous papers, with “My colleague, that Other” inPsychoanalytic Dialogues being her personal favorite. She is in private practice in New York.
Educational Objectives: After attending this activity, participants will be able to:
Describe the factors leading up to Bion’s discovery of alpha function;
Become familiar with alpha function and what the author terms “the ego psychology of Wilfred Bion”
Explain the clinical implications of the theory of alpha function.
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 New York Psychoanalytic Society & 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) AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION FOR ALL LEARNERS: None of the planners and presenters of this CME program have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Psychologists: New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education programs for psychologists. New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
DISCLOSURE: None of the planners or presenters of this CE program has any relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Persons with disabilities: The building is wheelchair accessible and has an elevator. Please notify the registrar in advance if you require accommodations.
For information about NYPSI training programs please visit us at www.psychoanalysis.org or www.nypsi.org