An American Independent:

The Psychoanalytic Thinking of Hans Loewald

Spring 2025

6 Week Class - March 14, 2025-April 18, 2025, Fridays, 11:00am-12:30pm

Live Interactive Webinar via Zoom

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON MARCH 7, 2025



System Requirements: To attend this training, one must have access to a computer, internet and Zoom. It is vital that a computer be utilized for this training, instead of a mobile device or Ipad.

Course Description

With the hindsight of history, it’s clear that Hans Loewald became an important nodal point in the evolution of American psychoanalytic thinking. His theoretical writing integrated Freudian, Ego and Object Relations ideas in a way that established what we might call pre-relational psychoanalytic conceptualizations. 

In this course, we will read Loewald’s seminal papers, along with commentary on the theoretical and clinical significance of his work. In addition, we will look at the creative ways that he anticipated contemporary psychoanalytic thought. With his abiding concern for the core process of internalization, Loewald foreshadowed modern day thinking about the interpenetration of intrapsychic and intersubjective experience. He is one of the first analytic thinkers to establish a perspective of “separate but connected.” As such, his usage of “the other” as a pillar of his theoretical orientation presages our 21^st century efforts to grapple with the idea of self embedded in a mutually constitutive world.

Instructor: Debra Roelke, PhD

Dr. Roelke has been involved in psychoanalytic education, training and teaching for over 20 years.  She trained extensively with senior analysts in both self psychology and intersubjective perspectives and is well-versed in the history of psychoanalytic theory and comparative psychoanalysis.  Dr. Roelke has been on the teaching faculty of CPPNJ, teaching courses annually, since 2010.  She has taught the Self Psychology and Intersubjectivity seminar for five years (2013 to 2017).

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

In this course, candidates will be able to:

1. Situate Loewald’s thinking in the arc of psychoanalytic theory.

2. Identify the roots of Loewald’s thinking in the Freudian, Object Relations and Ego Psychology traditions.

3. Distinguish Loewald’s revisions of Freudian concepts.

4. Describe the trajectory of psychic development from Loewald’s point of view.

5. Define internalization in Loewald’s terms and discuss the central role it plays in his clinical and developmental thinking.

6. Summarize the main points of Loewald’s most cited paper, “On Therapeutic Action.”

7. Discuss Loewald’s unique ideas about the superego and its role in psychic life.

8. Analyze the concept of sublimation as Loewald defines and uses it.

9. Trace the implications of Loewald’s major ideas for relational and intersubjective theory.

10. Apply Loewald’s theoretical approach to case material.

Target Audience:  Suitable for Psychologists, Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Psychiatrists, Advanced Practice Nurses, Graduate Students, Marriage and Family Therapists.

Level of Sophistication: This is an advanced level post-graduate continuing education program. Suitable to all licensed professionals.

ADA accommodations available upon request: Requests required at least 14 days prior to course start.

Continuing Education: 

9 CEs for Counselors, Psychologists & Social Workers

Counselors: CPPNJ has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education   Provider, ACEP No. 6863. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CPPNJ is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Psychologists:  CPPNJ is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CPPNJ maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. 

NY Psychologists: Center for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis of New Jersey is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0165. 

Social Workers: Center for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis of New Jersey is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0757.



The New Jersey Board of Social Work Examiners, and other state boards, recognize CEs approved by the New York State Education Department.

Course Fee: $200 for members

Course Refund Policy: Up to one month before a course starts there will be a full course refund less a $50 administrative fee. Less than one month before a course starts there will be a $50 administrative fee and the payment will be applied to a future course. Once a class starts, there will be no refunds. Extraordinary circumstances will be reviewed on an individual basis.

There is no potential conflict of interest and/or commercial support for this CE event.



For more information or registration, please call 973-912-4432, visit us online at www.cppnj.org, contact us by email at cppnj@cppnj.org or at CPPNJ 235 Main St, Madison, NJ 07940