History of Object Relations Theory

• The history of the concept "object" in psychoanalysis and the emergence of Object Relations Theory from classical drive-based psychoanalytic theory. (The first object is the mother.)

• The role of parental empathic failures in the development of the Splitting Defense and the development of internal structures.
• The role of repression in the inner world.
• The development of the Moral Defense and its use to keep the illusion of attachment to good objects intact. (I am bad and my parents are good.)

• Typical family constellations that produce Histrionic Personality Disorders, including parental rejection, the emphasis of sexuality and the role of unmet developmental needs.
• The content and dynamic function of the internalized self and object structures and the translation of these structures into relational patterns and transference configurations. The role of flirtation.
• Therapeutic strategies that have impact on the histrionic personality disorder including management of the frame (holding the boundaries) and analysis of the transference.

• Typical family constellations that produce obsessive disorders.
• The parental use of mystification to cover up both abuse and neglect.
• The damage done to the Central Ego by parental use of righteous criticism of the child and the negative impact on the normal development of the child.
• The child's development of powerful and condemning internal structures and his conflict between obedience and defiance.

• The family constellations that produce the Borderline Personality Disorder including the exposure of the child to overwhelming parental aggression and continuous empathic failures.
• The care, skills and strategies essential to contain this patient population in dyadic psychotherapy. (Maintaining the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship)
• The technique of "Widening and Balancing" and ego strengthening techniques, as well as the power of the "Therapeutic Hold" (Being firm, but gentle in maintaining the therapeutic boundaries.)