We Need to Listen: Black Psychoanalysts Speak, Video and Discussion

We Need to Listen: Black Psychoanalysts Speak, Video and Discussion

Instructor: Jennifer Kunst, PhD

When: Saturday, June 3, 2023, 9-10:30 am

Where: Live on-line (Zoom)

Program Description

In this Psychoanalytic Essentials seminar, licensed mental health professionals will come together virtually to explore race, culture, and class as they impact psychoanalytic theory, training, and practice. In advance of the live Zoom session, participants will view and reflect on the film, Black Psychoanalysts Speak. They also will read and reflect on two essays: Making “Black Lives Matter” by the filmmaker, Basia Winograd, and On Racism and Being White: The Journey to Henry’s Restaurant by the grant writer of the film, psychoanalyst Richard Reichbert. Prior to the live meeting, participants will detail their reflections in a written exercise. During the live session, Dr. Kunst will facilitate a discussion of the film and readings so that participants can deepen their learning.

Psychoanalysis has lagged behind other psychology disciplines in our study and open discussion about issues of race and culture in their impact on our work. This seminar is an effort to provide a space in which those professionals identifying as White or White-adjacent can engage in the important work of listening to the experiences of Black psychoanalysts and examining our own conscious and unconscious racism. The aim of this seminar is to help clinicians develop awareness, humility, openness, and sensitivity in our work with our theories, institutions, colleagues, patients, and ourselves.

A detailed description of the self-study and live portions of the course will be provided upon registration, along with links to all the materials and a worksheet to guide private reflection.

The seminar will appeal to all mental health clinicians interested in psychoanalytic and psychodynamic models.

Number continuing education credits

5 credits total (no partial credit): 3.5 credits for video and private reflection; 1.5 credit for live Zoom session

Instructor

Jennifer Kunst, PhD is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst in private practice in Pasadena, CA where she works with adults, adolescents, couples, and families. She earned her PhD at Fuller Graduate School of Psychology and is licensed in the state of California. Dr. Kunst trained at the Psychoanalytic Center of California, where she is a Training and Supervising Analyst and teaches courses on Kleinian theory and technique. She is passionate about distilling the complexity of psychoanalysis into ideas that can be applied to everyday life. She has published numerous papers in peer-reviewed professional psychology journals on the topics of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and the interface between religion and psychology. Her outreach projects include her Psychology Today blog, “A Headshrinker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, and her book, “Wisdom from the Couch: Knowing and Growing Yourself from the Inside Out” (Central Recovery Press, 2014).

Learning Objectives

1. Name three reasons why it is difficult for White professionals to listen to the experiences of Black professionals

2. Identify three ways in which racism operates in psychoanalytic theory and practice

3. Define the term “othering”

4. Articulate two ways in which White privilege serves to promote racism in training programs or professional organizations

5. Define microaggressions and list three examples common in the clinical setting

Target Audience

This activity is designed for psychologists and other mental health professionals who have and interest in psychoanalytic or psychodynamic psychotherapy. The level of the course is intermediate to advanced.

Cost: $150

CANCELLATIONS are subject to a 20% processing fee and must be received 7 days prior to be eligible for a refund. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Those who attend this workshop in full and complete the appropriate evaluation form will receive CE credits. Please note that credit will only be granted to those who attend the entire workshop. Partial credit is not an option. Those arriving more than 15 minutes after the start time or leaving before the workshop is completed will not receive CE credit.

Commercial Support Disclaimer

The planners and presenters for this activity have not received commercial support for this activity nor are there any relevant financial relationships between the sponsors, presenters, program content, research, grants or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.

Jennifer Kunst, PhD is approved by the California Psychological Association to provide continuing professional education for psychologists. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts continuing education credit granted by the California Psychological Association or by any of its Approved Providers. Jennifer Kunst, PhD maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

If you plan to use the credits in another state please check with that licensing jurisdiction to see if the credits will be accepted.

To learn more about Dr. Kunst's continuing education program, including complaint processes, special needs accommodation, respect and diversity statement, and more, visit www.drjenniferkunst.com