A Lacanian Approach to Psychoanalysis

This presentation will highlight similarities and differences between Lacan’s approach to psychoanalytic technique and both Freud’s approach and that of numerous contemporary analysts from non-Lacanian traditions. Whereas in Lacan’s approach the unconscious remains fundamental, the royal road to it is neither 1) the analyst’s countertransference, projective identification, self-disclosure, or intuition, nor 2) the analysand’s affective states. With his reformulation of the unconscious as the “subject supposed to know” and his reconceptualization of the psychoanalytic setting, we will explore Lacan’s innovations in technique with neurotics, including punctuation, "oracular" interpretation, scansion, the variable-length session, delayed use of the couch, and the focus on nonmeaning as opposed to understanding. The role of analysts as "giving what they do not have" as opposed to what they do have will be explored at length.

Event Location

Scientific Meeting | Friday, Nov 7

About the Event.

This presentation will highlight similarities and differences between Lacan’s approach to psychoanalytic technique and both Freud’s approach and that of numerous contemporary analysts from non-Lacanian traditions. Whereas in Lacan’s approach the unconscious remains fundamental, the royal road to it is neither 1) the analyst’s countertransference, projective identification, self-disclosure, or intuition, nor 2) the analysand’s affective states. With his reformulation of the unconscious as the “subject supposed to know” and his reconceptualization of the psychoanalytic setting, we will explore Lacan’s innovations in technique with neurotics, including punctuation, "oracular" interpretation, scansion, the variable-length session, delayed use of the couch, and the focus on nonmeaning as opposed to understanding. The role of analysts as "giving what they do not have" as opposed to what they do have will be explored at length.

Learning Objectives.

1) Articulate differences between Lacan's approach to analytic work and the approaches endorsed by other contemporary schools.

2) Grasp the underpinnings of some of Lacan's inventions in analytic technique.

CME/ CE Statement.

Psychoanalytic Association of New York (affiliated with NYU Grossman School of Medicine) is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0112.

Psychoanalytic Association of New York, affiliated with NYU School of Medicine is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0124.

Psychoanalytic Association of New York is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychoanalysts #P0064.

Psychoanalytic Association of New York is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0304.

CME/ CE Credits Available: 2

Citations.

Soler, C. (2015). Lacanian Affects: The Function of Affect in Lacan’s Work. B. Fink (Trans.). London: Routledge.

Fink, B. (2016). Lacan on Love: An Exploration of Lacan’s Seminar VIII, Transference. Cambridge: Polity.

Fink, B. (2017). A Clinical Introduction to Freud: Techniques for Everyday Practice. New York: W. W. Norton.

Sign up for our newsletter.

Sign up