UPDATE AND NEWS FOR PROFESSIONALS

Our Inaugural Infant Observation Class is moving into the final phase of their year-long experience together which has included Skype meetings with Wendy Shallcross from the Tavistock you can see in the Photo diary posted under the Professionals page. Students explored movement experiences with Dr. Katya Boom to begin to understand the importance of one of the infants’ first languages which is kinetic.

It’s been a fruitful year for THRIVE as well! We presented our work in Infant Observation this past January, 2011 in New York at the American Psychoanalytic Association meeting with Dr. Christine Premmereur. Our presentation was titled, “Seeing the Being, Infant Observation in the Family Home, Nicu and Adult Treatment”. Ethan Grumbach, Naomi Lieberman, Vladimir Lipovetsky and Director, Julie McCaig presented our thoughts with other Infant Observers for a lively, warm discussion in the midst of a epic snowstorm that made travel impossible for many of the scheduled attendees.

This Spring, Dr. McCaig attended the “Under Fives International Conference” at the Tavistock along with Dr. Bonny Sham. We had the experience of deepening our study with others in the field of infant-parent psychoanalysis/psychotherapy from the UK, South Africa, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy and Spain. The Under Fives Model is adapted to our program for THRIVE.

In September, 2011, Ethan, Naomi and Julie will present our work over the last year- and a-half with Dr. Shallcross at the Tavistock’s Infant Observation Supervisors’ Meeting in London. Our paper with Wendy Shallcross is titled: “Continent and Cognisant: The Considerations of an Intercontinental Infant Observation via Skype”. We are working to extend our understanding to provide observation training that provides personal and professional development.
Please see our invitation below.

Thrive Infant-Family Program

2011-2012

INFANT OBSERVATION CLASS

We are now accepting enrolment applications for our Infant Observation Class which begins in mid-September, 2011. Class is limited to five members. Last year our class was fully subscribed well in advance, and we presume the same will be true this year. Teachers, dates and additional events will be announced in the coming months.

Our Inaugural Pregnancy Accompaniment Groups, which we have been planning for some time, will be available in the Fall. Check our website regularly for new announcements and developments. Our work in Early Psychoanalytic Treatment (EPT) for families this past year has provided us with much hope for our developing program. We are looking for individuals who wish to join us in our future work. We have many requests for our assistance which we cannot fill. Won’t you join us for training and extend your knowledge into the community?  Email Director, Julie McCaig (drjmmccaig@att.net) for an application form and mail it along with your non-refundable deposit of $100.00 to reserve your space before June 15. Our introductory Infant Observation meeting is scheduled for mid- July. This meeting will assist you in your search for a baby to observe and set the stage for classes which begin in mid-September.

Send to:
THRIVE Infant Family Program
9777 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 904
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

New York

January, 2011

THRIVE was invited to participate at the National Meeting for the kick off of the 100th year anniversary of the American Psychoanalytic Association. The presentation was to be part of a discussion group: "Parent-Infant Programs at Psychoanalytic Institutes: A Dialogue among Clinicians and Program Directors".Chair: Christine Anzieu-Premmereur, MD, and our Discussant: Talia Hatzor, PhD. provided a warm reception. THRIVE Director, Julie McCaig, PhD and Founding Members: Ethan Grumbach, PhD, Naomi Lieberman, PsyD, and Vladimir Lipovetsky, MD, presented: "Seeing the Being: Infant Observation Training in the Family Home, NICU and Adult Psychoanalysis". Our long history with Infant Observation experience as candidates at the Psychoanalytic Center of California (PCC) and the New Center for Psychoanalysis (NCP), and our continued learning as THRIVE members since 2007 has been invaluable in our work, not only with babies and their families, but also with our adult patients. We focused on the importance of Infant Observation and how it relates to training candidates. The group discussion was lively and interesting as we shared ideas with practitioners from around the world. Photo and Text By: Naomi Lieberman, PsyD.

This APsaA presentation was made possible, in part, by a co-sponsorship with NCP.

THRIVE Infant-Family Program:

Infant Observation Training

The THRIVE Infant-Family Program will provide training for professionals in the Esther Bick Method of Infant Observation.  The participants will observe infants in their homes for 30 weeks.  Classes will meet weekly with 3 additional Master Classes described below.  There will be a total of 33 weeks of instruction. 

Infant Observation as devised by Esther Bick follows the infant and
family members over the course of the baby’s first year.  The seminar
meets weekly to review notes from each Observer to think together with the Seminar Teachers about the experience from the baby’s point of view.

THRIVE Infant Observation will be taught by Naomi Lieberman, Psy D. and assisted by Ethan Grumbach, Ph.D.  Naomi and Ethan have had experience in Infant Observation including NICU observation and Internet seminars with Dr. Wendy Shallcross of the Tavistock-Portman Trust. Drs. Lieberman and Grumbach have also had training in Communicative Movement with Dr. Katya Bloom.

The THRIVE Model of Infant Observation includes 3 Master Classes during the term featuring: Dr. Wendy Shallcross from the Tavistock (by internet link/in person) and Dr. Katya Bloom, for her insights on movement and observation.  The Master Classes will take place on Saturday Mornings.TBD  Additionally, the THRIVE members, including Director, Julie McCaig, will meet with students during the term.

Participants will learn:

1. Observation in the Esther Bick Method.
2. How to think about early experience from the discipline of observation without interpretation or intervention.
3. How to integrate theories of  Klein, Bion, Winnicott et al with Infant Observation.
4. How to integrate communicative movement analysis and observation in thinking about infants.
5. Understanding of transference and counter-transference experience with adults as well as infants.

This 33 week course will provide individuals with the first year of Infant Observation.  The course will meet at 5:45 PM at 9777 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 904, Beverly Hills, CA. 90212.  Cost: $1,500 which includes Master Courses/Internet Conferences. Scholarships may be available.  This Course is a pre-requisite for participation in THRIVE’s Second Year Observation and Field Observation in NICU and other settings. $50.00 reserves your space.  Payments may be made in three payments of $500.00.

Our Courses on Infant Research and Psychoanalytic Early Intervention will be available for further study in 2011. One Year of Infant Observation is a pre-requisite .  Check  www.thriveprogram.org  for updates.

THRIVE Infant-Family Program is a Non-Profit Corporation providing education for professionals and Early Psychoanalytic Intervention for Infants and their Families. THRIVE also provides Family Support for Infants and Families  in the NICU.  We are associated with the Well Baby Center.  You can visit us online at www.thriveprogram.org

Please see the Contact Us page for individual phone numbers of Thrive Directors and Members.

Saturday, January 23, 2010  9AM–12 PM

New Center for Psychoanalysis

Communicative Movement and the Embodiment of Experience: The Link between Movement and Psychoanalysis   

Presented by Katya Bloom, Ph.D., ADTR, CMA

             
Featuring Panel Presentation by:

THRIVE Infant Family Program  

Co- Directors Julie McCaig and Paulene Popek

Founding Members:  Ethan Grumbach PhD, Naomi Lieberman, PsyD
Vladimir Lipovetsky, M.D, and Erna Osterweil, Ph.D

9AM–12 PM CE/CME Credits: 3
New Center for Psychoanalysis
$50 pre-registration; $55 at the door

Click: New Center for Psychoanalysis to enroll

Anne Alvarez describes Katya Bloom’s work as the ability to recognize and describe the importance of “flow” in the body. Dr. Bloom attempts to understand what happens within and to the body even when the patient is lying immobile on the couch. Dr. Bloom presents what movement theory and therapy can offer psychoanalysis and vice-versa. Clinical and observational material is presented by THRIVE members and discussed by Dr. Bloom. This course is relevant to psychotherapists, psychoanalysts, movement therapists, nurses and all those interested in exploring the interrelationship between psyche and body.

Course Objectives

- Understand how movement analysis enhances the analyst/therapist’s grasp of early states of mind as expressed through the body
 - Grasp basic fundamentals of Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) and awaken the psychoanalysts’ ability to attune to unthought or unverbalized communication
  - Foster a meaningful dialogue between movement psychotherapy and psychoanalytic theory and technique

Katya Bloom, Ph.D., ADTR, CMA, is a movement psychotherapist in private practice in London. She is author of The Embodied Self: Movement and Psychoanalysis (Karnac, 2006). She has studied Infant Observation at the Tavistock Clinic in London. Her 2008 paper, “The Movement of Thought: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Mind and Body,” will appear in the International Journal of Infant Observation, summer 2009.

The THRIVE Infant-Family Program is co-sponsoring this event. THRIVE members are psychoanalysts whose goals are understanding the emotional life of the infant and helping
infants and parents thrive in their conversation and communication.
They are: Ethan Grumbach, Ph.D., Naomi Lieberman, Psy.D., Vladimir Lipovetsky, M.D.,
Julie McCaig, Ph.D., Erna Osterweil, Ph.D. and Paulene Popek, Ph.D.

APRIL 2009

TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR BABIES

* DO YOU HAVE A PATIENT WHO IS PREGNANT OR RECENTLY HAD A BABY?

*DO YOU NEED HELP WITH THE DIFFICULT TASK OF DOING CONJOINT THERAPY WITH YOUR PATIENT AND THEIR INFANT?

WE HOPE TO HELP YOU CAPTURE THIS IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY OF PREGNANCY AND BIRTH TO DEEPEN YOUR WORK WITH YOUR PATIENTS

THRIVE INFANT FAMILY PROGRAM
  PRESENTS A SUPERVISION GROUP

FOR THE PROFESSIONAL WORKING WITH PATIENTS WHO ARE PREGNANT OR NEW PARENTS

JOIN DR. LIEBERMAN AND DR. GRUMBACH
FOR SIX TUESDAYS FROM 9-10:30 AM
BEGINNING APRIL 7TH
LIMITED TO FIVE MEMBERS

TO REGISTER:  CALL THRIVE INFANT FAMILY PROGRAM 310 464 0864

FEE:  $360.00