Overview and Mission Statement

The Philadelphia satellite of the International Institute for Psychotherapy (IPI) is conducted by Charles Ashbach, Karen Fraley and Paul Koehler. All three individuals are faculty members of the National Program of IPI located in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

The goal of the Philadelphia satellite is to provide unique learning opportunities and specific programs for interested members of the helping professions, with a bi-focal perspective including theoretical and hands-on clinical material. The emphasis of the satellite is to foster an understanding of mind and psyche through in depth reading and study of major object relations and psychoanalytic theorists

The seminars, groups and programs offered by the satellite attempt to integrate and apply psychoanalytic concepts to individual, group, cultural and societal dynamics, as well as to the specifics of the clinical encounter.

Group process is employed to demonstrate the aliveness and power of the unconscious as it penetrates all aspects of the learning experience. An open and supportive emotional context allows for in depth encounter of theory and practice. The group becomes the container for the working through process that utilizes different levels and perspectives to help forge skills and to deepen both technical and empathic capacities of the clinician. The continual interweaving of clinical and sociocultural perspectives exemplifies the broad applicability of the concepts and enlivens the work of internalizing theory to make it personal, available and dynamic.

Current satellite offerings include on-going reading seminars in the work of Bion and Klein; on the concepts of narcissism; the clinical work of Sigmund Freud as well as the study of war and terrorism. Other workshops are forming around introduction to the basics of object relations theory. Supervision opportunities for both introductory and advanced practitioners are available. Please check the course offerings being offered by each of the faculty.

The Philadelphia satellite is interested in attracting a community of learners and thinkers who wish to penetrate theoretical and clinical material in a way that integrates intellectual, personal and affective dimensions of experience. Exploring the reciprocal relationship between the individual and the psycho-social context of the group is a constant feature of the approach taken.

Programs offered by Charles Ashbach, Ph.D.

Charles Ashbach, Ph.D.

Biography:

Charles Ashbach, Ph.D., received his Ph.D. degree from Temple University. He is a licensed clinical psychologist, and is the chair of the Philadelphia satellite of IPI. He is the coauthor, with Vic Schermer, of Object Relations, the Self and the Group. His interests include the study of narcissism; the integration of psychoanalytic theory with the study of war, and the application of the work of Wilfred Bion to the clinical encounter.

He is available for individual and group supervision in the study of object relations theory.

Current offerings:

On Narcissism. A monthly reading group, co-led with Paul Koehler, which systematically explores the concept of narcissism from the perspectives of multiple theorists and writers. Sunday night, once per month. Cost: $70, for the 2 hour group.

Object Relations Overview. A monthly reading group which explores key analytic and object relations topics through a depth reading and discussion of the key thinkers in the field. Focus: Klein, Betty Joseph, Donald Meltzer, Herbert Rosenfeld, Thomas Ogden, Freud, Chasseguet-Smirgel. Friday 12-2, on the second Friday. Cost: $65 for the group.

Programs offered by Karen Fraley, MSW

Karen Fraley, M.S.W.

Biography:

Karen Fraley, LSCW, BCD, received her degree from Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. A board certified diplomate in clinical social work, she in the practice of psychotherapy in Exton, Pa. She is a graduate of the IPI Two Year Program and the IPI Clinical Application Program.

She is available for individual or paired clinical supervision and is particularly interested in working with clinicians seeking to deepen and expand their clinical acumen through awareness of transference and countertransference experiences.

Group offering:

A study group focused on object relations theory and practice. One hour seminar based on essential readings by Freud, Klein, Winnicott and Bion, followed by one hour clinical case discussion. One Friday a month, from 12pm to 2pm, Exton office, Cost $40 per session. CEU credit available through PSCSW and IPI. Contact Karen Fraley, LCSW, BCD, Tel: 610-827-1641, E-mail: kfraley1@verizon.net.

This seminar will focus on the fundamental principles of object relations psychoanalytic psychotherapy in clinical practice: holding and containment, developing a narrative, understanding and working with transference, countertransference and projective identification phenomena. A range of experience is welcomed.

Programs offered by Paul Koehler, MSW.

Biography:

Paul Koehler is a graduate of the Institute for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapies and also of the Washington School of Psychiatry's Object Relations Training Program. He is certified as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist by the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis, Inc. (NAAP). He is chair of IPI's two-year Object Relations Theory and Practice training program.

Current Offerings:

September, 2006: Contemporary Kleinian Perspectives of Psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
Currently: Exploring the Unconscious Dynamics of War and Terrorism

IPI-Philadelphia Working Conference

January, 2007

The Philadelphia, IPI Satellite, will be offering a working conference on:

War, Terror and the Perverse: perspectives on internal objects and social anxiety.