Session Abstract: Self-supervisory strategies in psychological testing are typically discussed in relation to the assessor's gaining awareness of transference-countertransference dynamics through different self-reflective/self-analytic methods. This symposium focuses on how experienced assessors reflect on their work and use this experience to derive new insights about the patient and themselves. The fullness of a self-supervisory experience includes examining the here-and-now transference-countertransference. but may also involve learning about oneself by revisiting one’s history and drawing on psychogenetic information during the process of self-reflection to understand the assessor-patient interaction. Four papers are presented to highlight these different points. The first paper, "Just One More Test, Please?", discusses how the assessor's initial reflection on pressure around ordering additional tests during an evaluation led not only to an understanding of transference-countertransference, but, on further reflection, to a recognition that the evaluation was conducted proximal to the anniversary of the death of one of the assessor's parents. This second-look led to a deeper, psycho-genetically based, third-look appreciation of the assessor's reactions and of the patient's internal struggle. The second paper, "Keeping Supervisors in Mind: A Psychoanalytic Lens on Assessment Supervision," examines, from a psychoanalytic perspective, the internalization process in assessment supervision, as well as the implications for what is carried forward in terms of diversity in the field. The third paper, "The Allure of Chagall’s Birthday: Keeping One’s Feet on the Ground with Self-supervision," also addresses experiences as supervisors and mentors as well as the more ingrained presence of supervisory introjects. The use of self-supervision and personal reflection are discussed in a case of a young man whose history, presentation and thematic projective content provocatively invoke elements from the assessor’s (and the referring professional’s) personal history. Imagery from Marc Chagall’s The Birthday (1915), as referenced in the patient’s Rorschach, is discussed as an informative bridge in the assessment relationship. The fourth paper, " One is the Loneliest Number: Aspects of Self-Supervision in a Solo Assessment Practice," addresses the way in which the assessor copes with the loneliness of a solo practice, and uses insights from self-observation to gain a deeper understanding of the patient as part of the assessment process.
Chair & Discussant Information: Jed Yalof, PsyD, ABPP, ABAP, ABP, ABSNP | Austen Riggs Center
Presentation 1 Title: Just One More Test, Please?
Presentation 1 Abstract: This paper discusses how the assessor's worked through a situation where he felt pressed to get more information and order more tests. The requests themselves were sensible and reflected a reasoned approach to psycho-diagnostic testing. It was the internal tension around the extra tests, and extending testing time beyond what was expected, that led to further self-inquiry. On reflection, the decision to "look again" at the initial feeling led to an understanding of a transference-countertransference dynamic. It also led to the assessor's recognition that the evaluation was conducted proximal to the anniversary of the death of one of the assessor's parents. This second-look led to a deeper, psycho-genetically based appreciation of the assessor's reactions and their counter in the patient's feelings about loss. Case material is presented to illustrate.
Author:
Jed Yalof, PsyD, ABPP, ABAP, ABP, ABSNP | Austen Riggs Center
Presentation 2 Title: Keeping Supervisors in Mind: A Psychoanalytic Lens on Assessment Supervision
Presentation 2 Abstract: Assessment supervision is intimate. Supervisees not only bring their knowledge of assessment instruments to the task, but also—in their efforts to integrate, formulate, and communicate about the data— they bring themselves as clinicians and writers. As such, in their engagement with supervisees, assessment supervisors play an immensely important and sensitive role, shaping their supervisees’ development and, consequently, the future of the field. This paper will examine, from a psychoanalytic perspective, the internalization process in assessment supervision, as well as the implications for what is carried forward in terms of diversity in the field.
Author:
Christina Biedermann, PsyD, ABAP| Northside Chicago Psychology for Women, PLLC, Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis, and Adler University
Presentation 3 Title: The Allure of Chagall’s Birthday: Keeping One’s Feet on the Ground with Self-supervision
Presentation 3 Abstract: Navigating the relationship in psychological assessment can provide salient information which ultimately can inform the exploratory process and augment the data provided by standardized testing results. While awareness of transference and countertransference are commonly included in psychodiagnostic assessment, strategies for self-supervision may additionally illuminate the role of an assessor’s history in understanding those they are assessing as well as themselves. As assessors, our personal and professional history can be brought to bear on this understanding. This includes our experiences as supervisors and mentors as well as the more ingrained presence of supervisory introjects. The use of self-supervision and personal reflection are discussed in a case of a young man whose history, presentation and thematic projective content provocatively invoke elements from the assessor’s (and the referring professional’s) personal history. Imagery from Marc Chagall’s The Birthday (1915), as referenced in the patient’s Rorschach, is discussed as an informative bridge in the assessment relationship.
Author:
Alan Schwartz, PsyD | Christiana Care Hospital, Behavioral Science Faculty- Psychologist, Family Medicine Residency- Christiana Care Health System, and Family Medicine Center at Foulk Road
Presentation 4 Title: One is the Loneliest Number: Aspects of Self-Supervision in a Solo Assessment Practice
Presentation 4 Abstract: This paper addresses the way in which the assessor copes with the loneliness of a solo practice, and uses insights from self-observation to gain a deeper understanding of the patient as part of the assessment process. Included are balancing nomothetic w idiographic, accuracy of interpretation, addressing referral questions and indirect countertransference, consideration of language for audience, and editing-typos and clarify of communication. The assessor integrates self-observation with clinical illustration.
Author:
James H Kleiger, PsyD, ABPP, ABAP | James Kleiger, PC
Presentation 5 Title: Discussant Comments
Presentation 5 Abstract: A integrative summary and reflection on each paper will be followed by a brief question-and-answer period.
Author:
Jed Yalof, PsyD, ABPP, ABAP, ABP, ABSNP | Austen Riggs Center