Unfortunately, the registrar decided that a seminar-style elective with 8 people or less was not tenable, and the course has been cancelled for now. Stay tuned for information regarding future opportunities.

Offered Spring 2020 - Wednesdays @ 1:30-3:20 PM

Since I began teaching and supervising Denver Seminary students in 2010, I have encountered many of you that are interested in working with their clients from a depth perspective, and curious about psychodynamic therapies. This psychodynamic therapy elective is a rare opportunity for DenSem Counseling students to learn about the rich and diverse set of psychodynamic approaches. It is designed for those students that are thirsting for exposure to therapeutic modalities that work from a long-term and depth orientation. I expect this course to be a rich and rewarding experience for all who take it.

In this course, we will be covering the various psychodynamic theories, from classical to contemporary, including object relations, self psychology, and relational psychoanalysis. More importantly, we will aim to understand a general psychodynamic frame work for doing therapy, and the distinctiveness of a psychodynamic sensibility in the current counseling field. We will also explore the harmonies and tensions between psychodynamic theories and a Christian worldview.

It is offered as a 2-unit course, but an additional unit may be available as independent study. The course is designed for those with some clinical experience, and have completed or are concurrently involved in practicum (email me if you are interested but not sure you meet these requirements). The syllabus should be available in December. If you are interested in more information, please contact me via email at cstanley@densem.edu.

Tentative Course Texts

Luepnitz, D.A. (2002). Schopenhauer’s porcupines: intimacy and its dilemmas: five stories of psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books. (ISBN-13: 978-0465042876)

McWilliams, N. (2004). Psychoanalytic psychotherapy: a practitioner’s guide. New York: Guilford. (ISBN-13: 978-1593850098)

Mitchell, S.A., & Black, M.J. (1995). Freud and beyond: a history of modern psychoanalytic thought. New York: Basic Books. (ISBN-13: 978-0465098811)

Additional reading selections from

Bland, E.D. & Strawn, B.D. (2014). Christianity and psychoanalysis: a new conversation. Downers Grove: IVP Academic.

Hoffman, M.T. (2011). Toward mutual recognition: relational psychoanalysis and the Christian narrative. New York, Routledge.

Shedler, J. (2010). The efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy. American Psychologist, 65(2), 98–109.

Stark, M. (1999) Modes of therapeutic action: enhancement of knowledge, provision of experience, and engagement in relationship. New Jersey: Aronson.

Summers, F. (2013). The psychoanalytic vision: the experiencing subject, transcendence, and the therapeutic process. New York: Routledge.