Perhaps the most difficult aspect of being a therapist is the emotional exhaustion caused by our absorbing the intense, toxic, and often alien affects that our patients need to express. In the service of their growth, clients may need to make us into persecutors or victims or helpless bystanders. Therapists on the receiving end of these dynamics may feel painfully distorted and become defensive, thereby avoiding the intensity the patient needs them to bear; or they may feel horror and paralyzing shame at the patient’s activation of aspects of themselves (e.g., greedy, envious, sadistic) that profoundly challenge their sense of who they are. Dr. McWilliams will explore the concept of countertransference as it has evolved in response to clinical experience and neuroscientific discoveries. She will offer clinical vignettes about the activation of barely tolerable self-states and share ideas about how to endure the roles into which we may be cast.

This presentation will explore the personality structure and emotional worlds of individuals with schizoid tendencies, with an emphasis on how to help these sensitive individuals feel safe in relationship. Schizoid dynamics will be conceptualized as normal human inclinations that can be found on a continuum of severity from high-functioning to psychotically troubled. In summarizing psychoanalytic conceptions of schizoid dynamics, Dr. McWilliams will compare and contrast this inferential, contextual, dimensional understanding with the trait-based, descriptive diagnoses available in the DSM, focusing on the clinical implications of such a conceptualization. She will present in detail her own treatment of a deeply schizoid woman.

Join an engaging panel discussion featuring some of the most prominent figures in psychotherapy—Leslie Greenberg, Nancy McWilliams, Ann Weisser Cornell, Allan Abbass, and Mark Solms—as they unravel the complex challenges of working with emotions in therapy. This session will address how clinicians can effectively navigate and resolve key therapeutic roadblocks, such as interruptions in emotional processing and self-directed anger. The panelists will share cutting-edge insights and practical approaches for fostering deeper emotional connections, increasing emotional resilience, and breaking through entrenched patterns of avoidance. Expect a dynamic exchange of ideas that will provide attendees with actionable strategies to overcome the therapeutic barriers highlighted by each keynote speaker, making this a must-attend event for those looking to elevate their practice and deepen their understanding of emotional work in therapy.

As we conclude three days of enriching presentations and discussions, our final panel debate will bring together our keynote speakers to reflect on the key takeaways from the conference. This session will focus on synthesizing the insights gained and exploring future directions for the field of psychotherapy. Our panelists will discuss the implications of their work for ongoing clinical practice and research and share their visions for the future of their respective approaches. This is an opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of where the field is headed and how we can continue to evolve and improve our work with clients.