Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Forward
The Dynamic Interplay of Adult Development and the Treatment Process - Steven D. Axelrod, PhD (Recorded)
In this presentation Steven D. Axelrod, PhD, elaborates two perspectives on the psychology of adulthood–a developmental scheme of tasks and emerging capacities and the drivers for individual growth and vitality.
The developmental framework Dr. Axelrod described in the recently published paper “Growth in Adulthood: A Revised Psychoanalytic Framework for Adult Development” (2024, The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 77(1), 126–142.) is a modification and expansion of Erikson’s original epigenetic scheme that incorporates what we have learned from others’ observations and theorizing. Dr. Axelrod then describes how this developmental perspective can inform and improve our clinical work and will illustrate this with some case material.
Dr. Axelrod's discussion of the drivers of individual growth includes, but is not limited to, object finding and object usage in both treatment and “in the wild.” He pays special attention to what has been called the “developmental object” by Anne Hurry and others following the child analytic work of Anna Freud.
A consideration of follow-up data from psychotherapy outcome studies can give us a special window into the processes of growth in adulthood more generally. Some research evidence points to the existence of a group of psychotherapy/psychoanalysis patients who show continuing improvement and better adjustment over time post-termination. One instance of this has been called the “sleeper effect.” Exploration of the factors in treatment and the processes post treatment that sustain these kinds of gains comprises the final portion of this presentation.
Target Audience
_____ Introductory _____X_ Intermediate ______ Advanced
Learning Objectives
- Attendees will be able to describe three (3) significant ways in which Erikson’s epigenetic scheme of adult development can be and/or needs to be revised.
- Attendees will be able to describe how the revised framework for adult development can be used to enhance their clinical work with a patient.
- Attendees will be able to summarize two main takeaways from follow-ups of psychotherapy outcome studies and how they might shed light on processes of growth in adulthood.
Steve Axelrod, PhD, is a psychoanalyst in independent practice in New York City. He is on the faculty of the NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, where he is co-chair of the Independent Track, working to foster innovation and improve the intellectual experience for all members of the Postdoc community. He is a principal in the Boswell Group of psychodynamic management consultants and is on the board of the Psychotherapy Action Network. He is the author of books and articles on adult development, the psychology of work including Work and the Evolving Self (Analytic Press, 1999), leadership and management, male development, and hospital-based psychiatric treatment. He is the co-editor of Progress in Psychoanalysis: Envisioning the Future of the Profession (Routledge, 2018). This presentation is based in part on his 2024 article “Growth in Adulthood: A Revised Psychoanalytic Framework for Adult Development” in Psychoanalytic Study of the Child.
Austen Riggs Center Inc. adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. All those at Austen Riggs Center involved in the planning of this activity, including the presenter(s) listed above, report they have no relevant financial relationships with an ineligible company*.
The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily represent the official policy or position of the Austen Riggs Center.
* An ineligible company is any entity whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
In support of improving patient care, The Austen Riggs Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team
Available Credit
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
ACCME - As a Jointly Accredited Organization, The Austen Riggs Center, Inc. designates this learning activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 1.00 APA
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, The Austen Riggs Center, Inc. designates this learning activity for 1.00 continuing education credit(s) (CE) for psychology. Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
Austen Riggs Center, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0115.
- 1.00 ASWB-ACE
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, The Austen Riggs Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organization, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Austen Riggs Center maintains responsibility for this. Social workers completing this Enduring course will receive 1.00 continuing education credit(s).
- 1.00 Contact Hours/ ParticipationA certificate of attendance for all Learners.