Learning Objectives

• Make use of the group process and feedback in enhancing our clinical understanding and practice
• Deepen our psychodynamic understanding of the client’s presenting problems, behaviours and states of mind
• Bring attention to transference and countertransference manifestations and enactments in the therapy
• Expand the range of interpretations, technical interventions and options in working with the client
• Enhance knowledge and utility of theory through group discussions and clinical applications of selected psychodynamic readings

Therapy Orientation — Philosophy, Basic Tenets

Our focus is group supervision of therapists working in the psychodynamic modality. Though it does not exclude cognitive or behavioural aspects of the treatment, psychodynamic psychotherapy, in our view, places greater emphasis on what Freud called the “psychic qualities” of experience—i.e. feelings, emotions, fantasies, impulses, wishes, desires, affect, etc. Psychic qualities—whose presence and workings are often outside awareness—can either impede or foster growth and change. The psychodynamic psychotherapist helps the client become conscious of psychic qualities that are hidden from awareness due to repression, developmental disturbances, relationship challenges, and trauma. As such we will focus on unconscious phenomena and processes as manifested in dreams, thinking patterns, defenses, actions, beliefs, tendencies, etc. Special attention will be given to the relational perspective as revealed in transference and countertransference feelings and enactments.

Why Group Supervision?

Given the dynamic nature of the human mind the therapist is faced with a multitude of possibilities in understanding and interacting with the client. The group provides exposure to the differing clinical styles and perspectives. The observations of colleagues give participants expanded viewpoints in approaching the client. Besides learning from others, when your turn comes to present, you will take time to formulate what is going on with a particular client. The time you take to step back from the week-to-week experience of working with a client to reflect on the clinical situation will offer new insights about the client and about the working alliance. Your colleagues will provide you with their questions and observations. Their feedback, especially on matters such as transference and countertransference, will enrich your understanding of the client and your work with them. Our hope is that we become a community of learners.

Why Theoretical Discussion (Readings)?

Articles from experts in the field, such as Winnicott, Ogden, Bollas, Ghent and others, will provide a theoretical base for our discussions. We will explore topics such as interpretation, transference, counter-transference, inter-subjectivity and dreams. Often reading with others stimulates new ideas – it allows us to stretch ourselves with respect to the needs of our patients. We will spend one meeting per month discussing the readings.

Role of the facilitators

We see our role as providing structure, guidance and support, psycho-education, and facilitation. As convenors we will organize and manage the sessions, start and stop on time and make sure that we stick to our learning objectives. We will offer our own observations and recommendations regarding the client work and will share our own relevant experiences and theoretical perspectives. Client work is dynamic, non-linear and complex. As such understanding depends on multiple points of view. As facilitators we place a great value on promoting an open, generative and respectful discussion with and among participants as they present their case material.

Involvement of Participants

Case Presentation

Members will present a case to the group for discussion (frequency depending on group size). The presentation should be approximately 20 minutes and should focus on a particular aspect of the therapy which is challenging for you and with which you are seeking constructive and considered comment. Normally a brief biographical outline is provided when presenting a new patient. The remainder of the time will be used for discussion led by the presenter with assistance from the facilitators.

Readings

One session per month will be given over to an article study and discussion. Members will recommend two or three articles they would like to discuss with the group. The group will decide collectively on a list of readings and schedule of presentations.

Meeting Frequency / Duration

Weekly on Fridays 12-1:30

First Meeting

Friday, September 8, 2023

Meeting Location, Fees etc.

1407 Yonge Street, Suite 304 (Yonge & St. Clair)

$150 per month September – June.

Contact Us

John Gross 416 653 8768

mjohngross@gmail.com

Spencer Overgaard 647 235 3510

therapy@spencerovergaard.com