In-Person + Zoom: Erich Neumann’s Theory of Early Development and its Application to Clinical Practice: Part 2

Presented by Lidar Shany, Ph.D.

For Clinicians Only

The series of seminars explores Neumann’s early life theory and its complementarity to the relational theories. We will discuss Neumann’s conceptualization and terminology, to indicate the similarity with Fordham’s ideas about analytic work with children. We will describe a unified Jungian approach to the development of the ego and the establishment of the ego-Self axis throughout the primal relationship, as well as the possible disturbances and pathologies. Utilizing case material, we will discuss the application of a Jungian approach to the theory and practice of child analysis.

The second seminar will focus on the archetypal aspects of the primal relationship, and its different stages. It will describe the way through which the relationship with the mother (care giver) facilitates the development of the ego, and the ego-Self axis. Disturbances in the mother-infant bond and the way which may lead to failures in the primal relationship will be discussed, along with the possible remedies.

Learning Objectives

• Describe Neumann’s theory of the development of personality.
• Describe the different stages of ego development and the establishment of the ego-Self axis.
• Using case material, describe the relevance and importance of a unified Jungian approach in the diagnosis and analysis of mother/baby dyad, and children.

Lidar Shany, Ph.D. is a Jungian analyst in private practice in Tel Aviv and San Clemente, CA.  A graduate of Pacifica, her dissertation research focused on the developmental, relational, and meta-psychological aspects of Neumann’s work. She lectures and teaches Neumann’s theory in Jungian institutes around the world. Dr. Shany who is also certified in infant-observation, and specializes in the primal relationship and dyadic work with mothers and their infants.