Freud's Reading Room
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Psychoanalysis & Surrealism: Enacting Hysteria
Presented in partnership with The Freud Museum London
8 Continuing Education Credits
Sundays: October 30, November 6, 13, 20, 2022
“I was inclined to look upon the surrealists, who have apparently chosen me as their patron saint, as absolute cranks. [Dali], however, with his candid fanatical eyes and his undeniable technical mastery, has made me reconsider my opinion.”
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From Freud’s theories, to letters, to stories, plays and films, learn how the Surrealists looked at the world, how they were inspired by Freudian psychoanalysis, and dabble in some Surrealist games.
Using Terry Johnson’s short play Hysteria as a starting point, the group will read the script aloud together. It tells the story of a fictional meeting between Sigmund Freud, Salvador Dalí, Freud’s doctor, and an inquisitive young woman named Jessica. Whilst fiction, Hysteria conveys truths about psychoanalytic history, Freud’s later life, and the impact os psychoanalysis on Surrealist thought (and perhaps the impact the Surrealists could have had upon Freud!).
Over four weeks, we will read the play aloud together in three parts. While unearthing the mythologies in the text, we will learn about Freud’s groundbreaking psychoanalytic theories, what the French Surrealists derived from Freud’s work, and why they attribute so much to Freud. Each week we will cover themes such as hysteria (via historical case studies), psychoanalytic methodologies, dream theory, Dalí’s ‘paranoiac-critical’ method, and the real meeting between Dalí and Freud in July 1938.
Each session will begin with a short introduction and a recap from the previous week. We will then read sections of the play together, followed by a short talk from the facilitators. We will unpack the deep concepts that Johnson brilliantly (and hilariously!) weaves into the story of Hysteria. With a backdrop of Surrealist music, each session will end with a Surrealist activity to apply some of the theories learned throughout the session.
Can’t make it live? No problem all sessions are recorded
Presented in partnership with The Freud Museum London.
15% of proceeds will be donated to The Freud Museum London.
“In classic paintings, I look for the unconscious - in a surrealist painting, for the conscious. ”
Who Is This For?
- Those with an interest in Freud’s thoughts on Surrealism
- Those with an interest in the intersections of Surrealism and psychoanalysis
- Those with an interest in exploring Freud’s ideas with a global community
- Psychotherapists
- Mental health professionals
- World and life-learners
- Those with an interest in psychoanalytic literature, poetry, philosophy, Surrealism, and music
*No prior experience or knowledge required!
How Does It Work?
- Meetings via Zoom
- Once registered, you will receive your log-in information and the weekly readings
- Everyone who would like to participate will read aloud in a safe, fun, and playful environment
Can’t make it live? No problem a video recording will be made available.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss the impact psychoanalysis had on the Surrealists and the impact the Surrealists had upon Freud
- Describe what the French Surrealists derived from psychoanalysis and why they credit so much to Freud
- Discuss Freud’s theory of hysteria via historical case studies
- Describe psychoanalytic methodologies and dream theory
- Discuss Dalí’s ‘paranoiac-critical’ method, as well as his and Freud’s meeting in July 1938
Testimonials
“I'm so grateful for the experience of your fascinating and wholly unique course examining Freud's Reading Room. I enjoyed it so much. I'm especially appreciative of the opportunity for a refreshingly different and stimulating opportunity to earn CEUs. I've recommended your offerings for colleagues looking for new ways to earn CEUs”
“Cannot thank you enough for the fabulous teaching series on ‘Freud: Civilization and its Discontents.’ This has been one of the most enlightening and enjoyable classes I have ever had the pleasure of attending. Many kudos to Tom as your choice of instructors. What a wizard! All so comfortable and accepting of all the attendees. You have indeed made a special virtual spot in the multiverse for those of us inclined!”
“Many, many thanks for an excellent, smart, and challenging course. You and Tom DeRose are gifted presenters and teachers. I learned a great deal, just so much material. I hadn't touched Freud's work for 25 years. I can't believe what I've been missing! The intense Freudian, theoretical learning has already helped me in my work as a Jungian analyst, even as much as I initially resisted the material. I look forward to joining the next Freud course.”
“It was the most amazing connecting experience I have had as a lonely bookworm always in search for something. I am glad I found you and Tom and the Reading Room events and all others. I am already looking forward to it!”
“Leslee. I wanted to tell you that I hosted and facilitated meetings, trainings and counseling sessions for an international consulting firm using web-based platforms from 1998-2012. I've also attended many c.e.u. trainings and post-grad certification studies before and during the Pandemic. Since I left the corporate consulting world, where anything less than perfect could cost you your job, yours and Tom's style is the best I've experienced. You engage your audience. You don't pontificate about this or that. You keep the audience focused and handle less than knowledgeable questions like mine with care. It's been a pleasure and that's why I signed up again.”
“I was so impressed by the quality of this experience. You both did a wonderful job with both presenting the material and facilitating deep-dive discussions. I enjoyed it immensely.”
Facilitators
Jamie Reurs
Jamie Ruers is an art historian specializing in psychoanalysis and the arts. She has given talks on Viennese history and French Surrealism at a wide range of organizations, including V&A Academy, BBC Arts, Art Fund UK, the Austrian Cultural Forum London, Universidad Andres Bello (Chile), and the Argentine & Chilean Psychoanalytic Associations. She has featured on Vanessa Sinclair’s Rendering Unconscious podcast and Amélie Ravalec’s film Art & Mind (2019) as well as regularly co-hosting the Freud Museum’s podcast Freud in Focus. Her first co-edited book, Freud/Lynch: Behind the Curtain, an exploration of David Lynch’s films through a psychoanalytic lens, is due for release in autumn 2022. She is the Public Programme Events Manager at the Freud Museum London where she has worked for 8 years.
Dr. Leslee S. Brown, PhD
Dr. Brown is President and Director of Mind Body Passport Inc. designing and leading international trips and online international courses for adult professionals, offering continuing education credits worldwide. Dr. Brown's interests are multi-faceted, engaging topics of psychology, culture, art, psychoanalysis, social dreaming, and mythology, and narrative stories as a therapeutic modality. She is passionate about weaving many disciplines and interests together and creating an atmosphere of growth and learning. She also served as The Director of International Seminars and Gastprofessor at Sigmund Freud University, Vienna. International psychology and developing “psychologists without borders” has become her focus. Dr. Brown has been in private practice for over twenty years, has been a research psychologist for The Neurologic Institute and has served on faculty at UCLA Medical School teaching psychology and rapport building techniques to medical students. Dr. Brown was also Assistant Professor at The Chicago School and Director of Centers for International Studies. Leslee lives and works part-time in Los Angeles, part-time in Paris, and the rest of the time is traveling the world.
Mind Body Passport is approved by the California Psychological Association to provide continuing professional education for psychologists. Mind Body Passport maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
This post-licensure course will be at an appropriate instructional level for participants with a wide range of experience from beginner to advanced.
Mind Body Passport Inc. is also recognized as a CAMFT-approved Continuing Education Provider. Certificate awarded upon successful completion.
* Post-course test is required for continuing education credits.
Questions?
Contact Dr. Leslee Brown at info@mindbodypassport.com for a free one-on-one consultation.
No refunds will be issued as the recordings are available.