Psychoanalysis and History, Past and Present: Reworking Trauma Within One’s Life Cycle and Its Impact on How We Work

This program acknowledges Hanna Turken for her many contributions to psychoanalytic training and the community. In Hanna’s recent reading of James William Anderson’s book on Donald Winnicott, he questions how much Winnicott’s theories were born out of his own “sickness.” Hanna follows with the question – could it be otherwise? Essentially, can the impact of family and history be separated from the way we experience our clinical work and our choices of psychoanalytic theory? On the other hand, what can be beneficial to our patients, particularly when traumatic events are impinging on both the therapist and the patient at the same time, e.g., covid, civil rights, war, the economy, etc. In this presentation, Hanna incorporates her life history to explore external and internal traumas, which lead her to focus on the importance of the preoedipal father in early development for her and her patients. 

Learning Objectives: After attending the presentation, participants will be able to

• Discuss whether such factors as the therapist’s family and history influence their practice and choice of theory.
• Describe the role of the preoedipal father in early development?

2.0 CE contact hours will be granted to participants with documented attendance and complete evaluation form. It is the responsibility of the participants seeking CE credits to comply with these requirements. Upon completion, a Certificate of Attendance will be emailed to all participants.

Bio: Hanna Turken, LCSW, BCD, LPsyA, is a senior member of NPAP, a Research Associate of the Psychohistory Forum, a board member of the NY State Society for Clinical Social Work. She has published and presented papers on sexuality, culture, the role of the father, sexual addiction, the returning patient, and other subjects. Her private bilingual (Spanish) practice is in New York, NY.