DPE CLOS IV | 6-Week Advanced Leadership Seminar

This 6-week virtual seminar will focus on critical concepts in systems psychodynamics and field theory such as the social unconscious, projective identification, splitting, social defenses, complex identities, and intersubjective processes. Widening our conceptual lens so that we can think of individual, group, organization, and the environmental surround as co-creating the field and influencing and shaping each other, we will use these concepts to deepen our understanding of the unconscious uses and abuses of power across the constructive and destructive spectrum. Each session will be evenly divided between theoretical and experiential components. In the large group, faculty and members will discuss key points in the assigned readings; break into pre-assigned small self-study groups to reflect on our own group process as it relates to our primary task of learning together about the uses and abuses of power; and return to the large group to continue our self-reflection and organizational self-study. Ultimately, the primary aim is to enhance our individual and collective efforts, particularly in the face of hate and human destructiveness, to become more inclusive as leaders, more open in our thinking, and equitable in sharing power.

After attending this session, learners will be able to:

1. Analyze how systems psychodynamics, field theory, and unconscious group processes shape leadership, organizational culture, and the constructive and destructive uses of power.
2. Apply self-reflective and relational leadership capacities—including emotional readiness, attunement, social resonance, and collaboration—to navigate organizational conflict, polarization, and complex group dynamics.
3. Integrate psychoanalytic perspectives on identity, racism, othering, trauma, and organizational systems to foster more inclusive, equitable, and adaptive leadership practices that support organizational learning and repair.

Presenters:

• Co-Chair: Paula Christian-Kliger, Ph.D., ABPP – No disclosures
• Co-Chair: James W. Barron, Ph.D., ABPP – No disclosures
• Tom Hennes, ThincDesign – No disclosures
• Kimberlyn Leary, PhD, MPA – No disclosures
• Sue Kolod, Ph.D.  – No disclosures
• Harriet L. Wolfe, M.D. – No disclosures
• Maxine Dennis, MSc– No discloures
• Samuel P. Wyche, D.O.– No disclosures
• Konstantinos Taliouridis, PhD, PsyD, MBA– No disclosures
• Himanshu Agrawal, MD– No disclosures

RECORDING INFORMATION: This event will not be recorded.