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Psychoanalysis as Moral Education (Online)

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2026 VAPS Virtual Short Course Series

 

Psychoanalysis as Moral Education

Adam Phillips, Psychoanalyst

Saturday, May 9th, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.



This lecture examines the proposition that psychoanalysis functions as a distinctive form of moral education that is radical and unprecedented. It challenges the view that psychoanalysis is morally neutral and explores how analytic practice facilitates the development of self-reflection without reliance on a pre-existing set of rules. Drawing on the work of Sándor Ferenczi and classical and contemporary psychoanalytic theory, the lecture elaborates the idea that therapeutic change is marked not simply by symptom reduction, but by the patient’s increased capacity for free association and self-reflection. 

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 Phillips_1 (edited)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES – Attendees will be able to:

  1. Describe key theoretical perspectives that conceptualize psychoanalysis as a form of moral or ethical development through examination of the implicit morality or psychoanalytic theory and practice.
  2. Identify and analyze the clinical implications of implicit moral processes in psychoanalytic work.
  3. Describe key differences between Freudian and Ferenczian psychoanalytic approaches and recognize how Ferenczi’s pioneering innovations inform contemporary clinical practice.

REFERENCES:

Ferenczi, S. (1928). The elasticity of psychoanalytic technique. In M. Balint (Ed.), Final contributions to the problems and methods of psychoanalysis. Hogarth Press.

Freud, S. (1933). New introductory lectures on psychoanalysis. In J. Strachey (Ed. & Trans.), The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 22). Hogarth Press.

Ghent, E. (1990). Masochism, submission, surrender—Masochism as a perversion of surrender. Contemporary Psychoanalysis, 26(1), 108–136.

Lacan, J. (1992). The seminar of Jacques Lacan, Book VII: The ethics of psychoanalysis, 1959–1960 (J.-A. Miller, Ed.; D. Porter, Trans.). W. W. Norton & Company. (Original work published 1959)

Lear, J. (2003). Therapeutic action: An earnest plea for irony. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 51(3), 721–742.

Loewald, H. W. (1960). On the therapeutic action of psychoanalysis. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 41, 16–33.

McGowan, T. (2013). Enjoying what we don’t have: The political project of psychoanalysis. University of Nebraska Press.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER:

Adam Phillips is a British Psychoanalyst, formerly Principal Child Psychotherapist at Charing Cross Hospital in London, and currently in private practice in London. He is a Visiting Professor in the English Department at the University of York and teaches two termly seminars at the University of Oxford: Ordinary Language Psychoanalysis (at Corpus Christi) and the Poet's Essay (at Keble). He was General Editor of the New Penguin Freud translations and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Professor Phillips is the author of numerous books on psychoanalysis and literature.



REGISTRATION:

Click the Register Now button and select the appropriate registration group.

Questions may be directed to Kathy Schlageter at Kathy@KSchlageterpsyd.com.

Fee Schedule:

VAPS Member                                 $50                                                                                                  

Non-Member                                    $55                                                      

Student                                            $20 


*Students (Masters, Doctorate program, or psychoanalytic Candidate): To receive the discounted fee, you must be logged in as a member. You may create a free member account. Once you are logged in as a member you will see the option to attend as a student. See above for contact information should you have questions.

*Payment by check instructions: When you register, you will see an option to "pay in advance" or "pay at event". Select "pay at event" and then send your check in advance of the training to:

Kathy Schlageter,
P.O. Box 1607, 
Manchester Center, VT 05255 
Once payment is received, your registration will be finalized by the VAPS administrative team

 

Cancellation Policy: No refunds after May 1, 2026


CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS:


This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for two (2) continuing education credits.

Division 39 is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. Division 39 is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods. If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to Gerri Oppedisano, Ph.D. at goppedis@comcast.net.

There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest. Participants will be informed of the utility/validity of the content/approach discussed (including the basis for the statements about validity/utility), as well as the limitations of the approach and most common (and severe) risks, if any, associated with the program’s content.

 

VAPS a local chapter of the Division of Psychoanalysis (39): Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology (SPPP) of the American Psychological Association (APA).

SPPP (Division 39) is approved by the APA to sponsor continuing education (CE) for psychologists. SPPP (Division 39) maintains responsibility for the program and its content.

Date and Time

Saturday, May 09, 2026, 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM
Videoconference information will be provided in an email once payment is received.

Katherine Schlageter(s)

Katherine Schlageter
Registration and Payment Questions

Category

Short Course

Registration Info

Registration is required
Payment in Full In Advance Or At Event
Registration cancellations will be accepted until Friday, May 01, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Cancellation Policy:
Refunds will not be given after May 1st, 2026.

Number of People Who Will Attend

Non-Member *
$55.00
* This can be your primary registrant type. Only one primary registrant type is allowed per registration.
Register Now