May 13th, 2024, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (1.5 CE credits – free for members with CE credit; $30 for non-members requesting CE credit). In Person meeting with Zoom option (see below on how to request Zoom link). Meeting Address: 1050 W. 42nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208.

Title

“Stigmata: Female Mysticism and Somatization of the Divine” in Clinical Work

Presenter

Heather Kaufman, M.A. LMHC

Description

This presentation will invite participants to consider the mystical dimension of clinical work from a Winnicottian perspective. Winnicott draws a parallel between internal mystical states with early inner states of human development. This early creation of a shared reality can become the foundation for experiential communing with divine forces that the self then experiences as unity with God in mystical encounters. Beguine mystics of thirteenth century Europe created a space to encounter Christ’s numinosity that gave them the authority to speak to God directly in a cultural milieu that subordinated female desire. Stigmata and divine communion in mystical experiences can be understood as attempts at authentic relationship with God and self.

Participants will be invited to reflect upon the intersubjective space in the consulting room as an opportunity to consider the relationship between the experience of the divine and the self who lacked a “good holding environment” for making meaning of inner and outer experience. The possibility for repairing damaged internal objects through mystical experiences to develop the capacity for self-actualization and individuation can further be considered.

Learning Objectives

Participants will understand the intersections between history, spirituality, and psychoanalytic theory as these relate to human development.
Participants will consider the ways in which marginalized voices in the clinical room can be heard and developed by reflecting upon spiritual experiences.
Participants will develop a deeper understanding of healing that is embodied as an experiential encounter with the divine.

Sources

Bynum, Carolyn Walker, Fragmentation and Redemption: Essays on Gender and the Human Body in Medieval Religion (New York, NY: Zone Books, 1996).

Krippner, Stanley, & Jeffrey Kirkwood, “Sacred Bleeding: The Language of the Stigmata,” in J. H. Ellens, ed., Miracles: God, Science, and Psychology in the Paranormal, 2 vols. (Westport, Conn: Praeger Publishers, 2008), 2:154-175.

Klaniczay, Gabor, “Illness, Self-inflicted Body Pain and Supernatural Stigmata: Three Ways of Identification with the Suffering Body of Christ,” in Christian Krötzl, Katariina Mustakallio, & Jennu Kuuliala, ed., Infirmity in Antiquity and the Middle Ages: Social and Cultural Approaches to Health, Weakness, and Care (New York: Routledge, 2015), 119-136.

Muessig, Carol, “Signs of Salvation: The Evolution of Stigmatic Spirituality before Francis of Assisi,” Church History vol. 82, no. 1 (2013): 40-68.

Saban, Mark, “Jung, Winnicott and the Divided Psyche” Journal of Analytical Psychology vol. 61, no. 3 (2016): 329-349.

Ulanov, Ann, Finding Space: Winnicott, God and Psychic Reality. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001).

Winnicott, D. W., “Review of Memories, Dreams, Reflections,” International Journal of Psycho-Analysis vol. 45 (1964): 450-455.

Winnicott, D. W., The Maturational Process and the Facilitating Environment (New York, NY: International Universities Press. 1965).

Winnicott, D. W., Playing and Reality (New York, NY: Basic Books, 1971).

About the Presenter

Heather Kaufman, M.A. LMHC, graduated from Chrisitan Theological Seminary’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in August of 2021. Heather opened her private practice in April 2024. Her work with adults across the life span is informed by object-relations, person-centered, and existential theories grounded in psychoanalytic practice. Recent publications include: “Stigmata: Female Mysticism and Somatization of the Divine” Encounter vol. 82, no. 1 (2022):1-30; and “Numinous Encounters in Frederick Douglass’s Autobiographies” New North Star vol. 5 (2023):56-64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18060/28032. Heather has been a research associate with the Institute of American Thought since 2007. Heather has edited three volumes on Frederick Douglass’s speeches and autobiographies and published In the Words of Frederick Douglass: Quotations from Liberty’s Champion (Ithica, NY: Cornell University Press, 2015) with her co-editor John R. McKivigan.

Fees, Policies and Participants

Members attend free of charge. Non-member rate is $30. Participants by Zoom must RSVP by the end of day Sunday, May 12th, 2024, to receive the Zoom link, which will be sent by 5 pm of the day of the presentation. RSVP to isptdues(at)gmail.com to receive the Zoom link. Note: Members receive the Zoom link for free. Non-members are welcome. Non-members who wish to receive CE Credit should pay the non-member rate of $ 30 below before the presentation. Alternatively, non-members are encouraged to become members at the $ 45 annual member rate ($ 25 student rate) to receive free CEs for a year.

Non-Member CE Credit

It is the policy of the Society to encourage multidisciplinary learning.  This seminar is appropriate for the intermediate level of knowledge in the area of psychoanalysis.  Enrollment is intended for psychologists and other mental health practitioners, graduate students and all who are interested in psychoanalysis.

Continuing Education

This program is offered for 1.5 continuing education credits. The entire meeting must be attended in order for attendees to receive certificates. Upon completion of an evaluation form, a certificate will be provided. This serves as documentation of attendance for all participants. Psychologists will have their participation registered through Division 39.

Division 39 is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Division 39 maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Division 39 is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. Division 39 is also committed to APA Ethical Guidelines. Participants are asked to be aware of 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.