New Year, New Outlook - Institute of Psychoanalysis 2011 Events Season Explores the Inner World

LONDON, January 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For those who have resolved to exercise their minds as well as their bodies this new year, The Institute of Psychoanalysis is offering the chance to gain a deeper understanding of the inner self with a range of thought-provoking public events. The events programme, which can be found at http://www.beyondthecouch.org.uk, complements the Science Museum's groundbreaking exhibition, Psychoanalysis: The Unconscious in Everyday Life (admission free, ends 2 April 2011) http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/galleries/psychoanalysis.aspx

Events focusing on the life stages and on internal mental and emotional development will provide people with an opportunity to invest in a greater knowledge of their own psyche and of their relationships, whether learning about psychoanalytic perspectives on parenting and child development (The Child, the Family and the Outside World, 26 February), exploring issues around ageing (Thinking About Time and Ageing, 4 February) or finding out about the meaning of their dreams (The Horror in Dreams, 9 March).

A screening of the delightful comedy Inconscientes (Unconscious) on 13 February provides the perfect tonic to post-holiday winter blues. The film, set in the supposedly austere psychiatric society of 1913 Barcelona, will be followed by a discussion with its award-winning director Joaquin Oristrell and psychoanalyst Andrea Sabbadini, who will talk about the film and the wider concept of humour in psychoanalysis.

For those who want an intellectual challenge in 2011, or simply want to take up a new interest, Psychoanalysis, Reading and Writing (from 18 January) is a series of five seminars at which participants will explore the creative intercourse between psychoanalysis and the arts, including film, poetry, drama and the novel.

There is also an opportunity to consider the fundamentals of human nature at Civilization and its Discontents (8 April). Dr David Bell, President of The Institute of Psychoanalysis, discusses Freud's seminal work Civilizations and its Discontents, a stocktaking of the human condition which asks whether humanity can master its drive to aggression and self destruction. With fellow discussant, the eminent literary academic and critic Dame Gillian Beer, Dr Bell will show psychoanalysis's continuing contemporary relevance with reference to the 'war on terror', attitudes to immigration and the effects of the penetration of the market into modern life.

The darker side of human nature will be explored further at The Murder of Sanity and the Sanity of Murder: The Art and Science of Psychoanalysis (19 March). The event looks at how we can understand incomprehensible events, using clinical observation, literature and art to explore issues including sexual addiction, revenge, psychopathy and murder.

For anyone considering a career change or development during 2011, the Institute's Open Evening (5 April) is a chance to find out more about the profession and talk to practising psychoanalysts and current students about the training and application process.

Further events from the Institute during 2011 include a Can Psychoanalysis be a Science? (23 February) and Big Wild Cats (15 March), which asks how we relate to nature and the wild within.

Events take place at various London venues. Full details and online booking at http://www.beyondthecouch.org.uk

NOTES FOR EDITORS

CONTACT: For full details and media releases visit the media room at: http://www.beyondthecouch.org.uk/contact ; Event information http://www.beyondthecouch.org.uk telephone +44(0)020-7563-5016

For clinical enquiries contact the London Clinic of Psychoanalysis on +44(0)20-7563-5002, clinic@iopa.org.uk, http://www.psychoanalysis.org.uk

Media enquiries about the Science Museum and the exhibition Psychoanalysis: The Unconscious in Everyday Life, contact Laura Singleton at the Science Museum Press Office on +44(0)20-7942-4364 or email Laura.Singleton@ScienceMuseum.org.uk

THE INSTITUTE OF PSYCHOANALYSIS is the main UK professional organisation for psychoanalysts in the UK and a global centre of excellence in the provision of psychoanalytic training, education, publication and clinical practice. Established in 1919, its membership has included Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud, Melanie Klein, Wilfred Bion and Donald Winnicott. It is the home of the London Clinic of Psychoanalysis, founded in 1926, one of a number of clinics established by Freud in Europe still in operation today. It offers consultations and help finding an analyst, in selected cases at a low fee.

It administers these activities on behalf of the British Psychoanalytical Society and is a member institution of the British Psychoanalytic Council. The Institute is also a member of the International Psychoanalytical Association, which safeguards standards in psychoanalysis and ensures a rigorous training process. For more information visit http://www.psychoanalysis.org.uk. For clinical enquiries contact the London Clinic of Psychoanalysis on +44(0)20-7563-5002, clinic@iopa.org.uk