Indiana Society for Psychoanalytic Thought

BOUNDARY ISSUES IN PSYCHOTHERAPY
by Bernard Foster, Jr., M.D.

Monday, February 11, 2008
7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Workshop Description:

The regulation of boundaries presents a constant challenge to psychotherapists, particularly in the intense work of psychoanalytic therapy. Since its beginning, psychoanalytic theory has involved discussion and sometimes disagreement about which boundary crossings are appropriate to psychoanalytic technique, and which constitute violations to be avoided. In recent years, greater attention has been paid to the variables that go into boundary violations, including therapist and client characteristics. Dr. Foster will present a discussion of the concept of boundaries in psychoanalytic thinking, including the need for boundaries, the risks and consequences of boundary violations, and coping strategies to avoid boundary violations.

Learning Objectives: Participants will learn to:

1) Describe the types of boundaries that come into consideration in psychotherapy
2) Distinguish boundary crossings from boundary violations
3) Recognize the characteristics and typologies of violating therapists
4) Identify patients who are at especially high risk
5) Identify warning signs that might indicate risk for boundary violation
6) Identify coping strategies to reduce the risk for boundary violation

About the Presenter

Bernard Foster, Jr. is a member of the Cincinnati Center for Psychoanalysis, as well as a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. He is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a member of the Executive Council of the American Psychoanalytic Association, and a member and former president of the Ohio Psychiatric Association, the Cincinnati Psychiatric Society, and the Cincinnati Psychoanalytic Society. He has published articles involving the influence of psychodynamic and psychosocial factors on medical diagnosis and research.