Short Course: Loss and Analytic Vulnerability ~ November 14th, 2026

In this course we will explore the effect of debilitating illness and early traumatic loss on the developing child and family. Peiper will describe an analytic treatment of a young woman grappling with the loss of both of her parents, the ending of her marriage, and foreclosed opportunities for her own development. Her paper addresses a gap in the literature related to the effect of deteriorating and terminal illness on the developing individual and family. Specifically, the patient’s father’s debilitating illness and death from ALS during her childhood left her feeling “other” and set apart from her peers. A discussion of a generative enactment involving mutual vulnerability and openness by the analytic couple is included. Their shared experience of vulnerability proved to be an important factor in the dyad’s ability to work through these difficult moments. A focus on an appreciation of the leading edge during the process facilitated a transformative experience. Brandchaft’s concept of pathological accommodation was relevant to the clinical engagement and will be discussed. This paper will be presented alongside a response paper by a colleague, Jan Chess, PhD, MFT. Her paper offers important ideas about hidden selves, shame, and coming to terms with limits—both in oneself and in an analytic treatment. A discussion will follow the presentation of both papers.

Diversity Statement:

Our mission is to continue the work of dismantling structural racism and prejudice to reduce the mental health disparities that exist for communities of color and for other underrepresented, and marginalized groups. To this end, we have developed our presentation to include an appreciation of the socio-cultural context in understanding our patients’ developmental stories as well as for appreciating the powerful intersubjective processes reverberating between patient and therapist in clinical interactions. We support hearing all voices in class discussions and welcome hearing differences of opinions. We will strive to create a learning environment that encompasses the values and activities of learning together and learning from each other. We’re excited to be discussing transference, countertransference, and the therapist’s vulnerability with you from this perspective.

Learning Objectives:

After the completion of this short course, participants will be able to:

• Discuss ways that a sequelae of profound early and current loss affects the development of the individual or developing child.
• Discuss the importance of reflecting on their own subjective responses, especially their own vulnerability, that become activated in clinical interaction.
• Describe the dynamics involved in Brandchaft’s theory of pathologic accommodation.

PLEASE NOTE: Recording in any form of this live streaming event is NOT permitted.

Registration closes at noon on November 13th.

About our Speakers:

Peiper Kirkendoll, PhD is an advanced candidate in ICP+P’s Psychoanalytic Training Program and is an instructor in ICP+P’s fellowship program. She has a private practice in Telluride, Colorado and works with adult patients in Colorado, Louisiana, Washington, DC, and Virginia. Peiper received her doctorate in Counseling from The George Washington University. She has worked in university counseling centers at The George Washington University, American University, and Loyola University in New Orleans. She is involved in board leadership for several Telluride, Colorado nonprofits including Telluride Academy and the Telluride Mountain School.

Jan Chess PhD, MFT is an Adjunct Professor at San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis where she has taught in several programs as well as providing supervision and consultation.  She has presented papers at the last two IAPSP conferences and chair for the IAPSP Writing Interest group.  In addition she facilitates narrative clinical writing groups for analysts.  She has a private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area where she sees individuals and couples.

References:

Aron, L. & Atlas, G. (2015). Generative enactment: Memories from the future. Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 25(3), 309-324. https://doi.org/10.1080/10481885.2015.1034554

Buechler, S. (2024). The analyst’s shame. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 44(3), 305-319. https://doi.org/10.1080/07351690.2024.2332148

Carr, E. M. & Sandmeyer, J. (2018). Exploring the vicissitudes of safety and danger in psychoanalysis: Developing trust through mutual engagement. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 38(8), 557-568. https://doi.org/10.1080/07351690.2018.1521219

Doctors, S. R. (2017). Brandchaft’s pathological accommodation—What it is and what it isn’t. Psychoanalysis, Self, and Context, 12(1), 45-59. doi.org/10.1080/15551024.2017.12511 

Lyons-Ruth, K. (2017). Revisiting the idealizing transferences: “Needful things” and the Faustian bargain. Psychoanalysis, Self, and Context, 12(3),197-210. https://doi.org/10.1080/24720038.2017.1320093

Lyons-Ruth, K. (1999). The two-person unconscious: Intersubjective dialogue, enactive relational representation, and the emergence of new forms of relational organization. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 19(4), 576-617.  https://doi.org/10.1080/07351699909534267 

Slavin, M., & Kriegman, D. (1998). Why the analyst needs to change: Toward a theory of conflict, negotiation, and mutual influence in the therapeutic process. Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 8(2), 247-284.

https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203728062-9

Cost and Registration:

$75 ICP+P Members
$35 ICP+P 1st +2nd Year Members, Emerging Professionals, MITs and Graduate Student Members, and Fellows
$35 Unaffiliated Students and Fellows
$90 Non-Members

A refund for cancellation is available up to 10 days before the start date.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Continuing education credit: 2.0 CE credits available for full attendance. The Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis (ICP+P) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. ICP+P maintains responsibility for this program and its content. ICP+P is approved by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners to offer Category I continuing education credit. As our CE program receives oversight from a licensed social worker, the CE credits we award are highly likely to be recognized by licensing boards in Virginia and the District of Columbia. These continuing education credits meet the ANCC standards for nurses. Marriage and family therapists licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia may submit these CE credits to their licensing boards. (Marriage and family therapists in other jurisdictions and licensed counselors should inquire with their local Boards regarding continuing education credit.) Attendees from the above professional groups will earn 2.0 CE credits for attending the CE activity. Full attendance is required to receive the designated CE credit.

* Peiper Kirkendoll and Jan Chess, as presenter, and the planners have informed us that they do not have a conflict of interest and have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationship with any commercial interests pertaining to this educational activity.

CE Credit is granted to participants with documented attendance at the short course. Credit will not be granted to registrants who are more than 15 minutes late or depart more than 15 minutes early from a session.