A Heart Shattered, The Impenetrable Self, and A Life Unlived: An Existential-Humanistic Approach to Relentless Despair
Presented by Martha Stark, MD
Recorded on Friday, November 17th, 2023
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
There are clients who, never having fully confronted – and grieved – the pain of their early-on heartbreak, cling tenaciously to their hope that perhaps someday the object of their desire will be forthcoming. But there are others who, in the aftermath of their early-on heartbreak, find themselves withdrawing completely from the world of objects – their hearts shattered…
They then find themselves overwhelmed by intense feelings of isolation, alienation, and despair – the competent, accomplished, cheerful, compliant mask they present to the world belying the truth that lies hidden within, namely, their quiet heartbreak, their private pain, and their haunting loneliness.
Their experience of being-in-the-world is one of profound hopelessness, which they keep hidden behind the false self they present to the world, a self-protective armor that masks the deeply entrenched brokenness of the true self.
Instead of relentless hope, their experience is of relentless despair.
Martha Stark, MD, will offer clinical vignettes that demonstrate how the therapist, ever attuned to the client’s intense ambivalence about remaining hidden vs. becoming found, can help the client overcome her dread of surrender to resourceless dependence (Khan 1972). There can then be moments of authentic meeting (Guntrip 1969) between therapist and client that restore purpose, direction, and meaning to an existence that might otherwise have remained desolate, impoverished, and desperately lonely.
Drawing upon the interpretive perspective of classical psychoanalysis, the corrective-provision perspective of self psychology, and the intersubjective perspective of contemporary relational theory, Martha’s existential-humanistic approach to healing brokenness and easing despair is one that places a premium on the co-creation of a transitional space between therapist and client that will enable the client gradually to deliver those parts of herself that she most needs to deliver – parts that are precious, vulnerable, and prone to breakage. If all goes well, however, she will ultimately discover, to her absolute delight and great surprise, that she need no longer worry quite so much about having her heart, once again, shattered…
“I gave you a part of me that I knew you could break – and you didn’t.” – Anonymous
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 1.0 APA CEs for Psychologists, 1.0 IL CEUS for Counselors and Social Workers, or 1.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSW, and LMFTs
There are clients who, never having fully confronted – and grieved – the pain of their early-on heartbreak, cling tenaciously to their hope that perhaps someday the object of their desire will be forthcoming. But there are others who, in the aftermath of their early-on heartbreak, find themselves withdrawing completely from the world of objects – their hearts shattered…
They then find themselves overwhelmed by intense feelings of isolation, alienation, and despair – the competent, accomplished, cheerful, compliant mask they present to the world belying the truth that lies hidden within, namely, their quiet heartbreak, their private pain, and their haunting loneliness.
Their experience of being-in-the-world is one of profound hopelessness, which they keep hidden behind the false self they present to the world, a self-protective armor that masks the deeply entrenched brokenness of the true self.
Instead of relentless hope, their experience is of relentless despair.
Martha Stark, MD, will offer clinical vignettes that demonstrate how the therapist, ever attuned to the client’s intense ambivalence about remaining hidden vs. becoming found, can help the client overcome her dread of surrender to resourceless dependence (Khan 1972). There can then be moments of authentic meeting (Guntrip 1969) between therapist and client that restore purpose, direction, and meaning to an existence that might otherwise have remained desolate, impoverished, and desperately lonely.
Drawing upon the interpretive perspective of classical psychoanalysis, the corrective-provision perspective of self psychology, and the intersubjective perspective of contemporary relational theory, Martha’s existential-humanistic approach to healing brokenness and easing despair is one that places a premium on the co-creation of a transitional space between therapist and client that will enable the client gradually to deliver those parts of herself that she most needs to deliver – parts that are precious, vulnerable, and prone to breakage. If all goes well, however, she will ultimately discover, to her absolute delight and great surprise, that she need no longer worry quite so much about having her heart, once again, shattered…
“I gave you a part of me that I knew you could break – and you didn’t.” – Anonymous
After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:
- Highlight the primary difference between relentless hope and relentless despair.
- Elaborate upon the client’s intense ambivalence about entering the world of objects.
- Describe the 2-person defense of affective nonrelatedness.
- Explain the relevance of the concept of dreading surrender to resourceless dependence upon another.
- Expound upon the importance of moments of authentic meeting as offering opportunity for restoring purpose, direction, and meaning to a life otherwise unlived.
- Construct a facilitation statement designed to highlight both the client’s longing for intimacy and her fear of merger.
This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.3: Program content focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures
This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 3: Program will allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.
General Admission: $20
The Chicago School Faculty/Staff/Alumni: $10*
The Chicago School Students: $15*
(*Please email [email protected] for coupon code)
Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.
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Martha Stark, MD
Martha Stark, MD, a graduate of Harvard Medical School and the Boston Psychoanalytic Institute, is a holistic (adult and child) psychiatrist and integrative psychoanalyst in private practice in Boston, MA.
Martha is Lecturer on Psychiatry (part-time), Harvard Medical School; Co-Founder / Co-Director / Faculty, Center for Psychoanalytic Studies, William James College; Faculty, Psychiatry Redefined; Faculty, Academy of Comprehensive Integrative Medicine; Adjunct Faculty, Smith College School for Social Work; Former Faculty, Boston Psychoanalytic Institute and Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis.
Martha is an award-winning author of nine highly acclaimed books (including Relentless Hope: The Refusal to Grieve) on the integration of psychodynamic theory with clinical practice – several of which have become “required reading” in psychoanalytic training institutes and psychodynamic psychotherapy training programs both in the US and abroad.
Martha is the Originator / Developer of the Psychodynamic Synergy Paradigm: A C.A.R.E. Approach to Deep Healing (Models 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5).
Board Certified by the American Association of Integrative Medicine, Martha also contributes chapters to integrative medicine textbooks and articles to peer-reviewed toxicology / environmental medicine journals. In addition, she serves on the editorial / advisory boards of various holistic health publications and sits on the Advisory Board of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute.
Target Audience: Mental health professionals, educators, and students.
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology 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.
Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available 1.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159
Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036
MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs: Course meets the qualifications for 1.0 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.
Non Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.
*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. 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.