The Unconscious in Everyday Life: An Introduction to Psychodynamic Therapy is a six-session virtual lecture series that introduces foundational psychodynamic concepts and their relevance to clinical practice and everyday emotional experience. Drawing from Hannah Curtis’ "Everyday Life and the Unconscious Mind", the courses explore many foundational psychoanalytic concepts such as: unconscious processes, defense mechanisms, internal object relations, transference, resistance, countertransference, projective identification, and more. Participants will examine how these dynamics influence personality development, emotional functioning, interpersonal relationships, and the therapeutic process.

This course addresses a significant gap in current clinical training. Many therapists encounter recurring relationship patterns, strong emotional reactions in sessions, challenges with client engagement, and behaviors that cannot be fully explained by symptoms or diagnoses alone. Yet opportunities for training in psychodynamic and relational approaches are often limited. This series offers an opportunity for understanding what may be happening beneath the surface and how those dynamics show up in clinical work.

Whether you are new to psychodynamic concepts or looking to deepen your clinical understanding, this series will strengthen your ability to reflect on client experiences, navigate challenging clinical moments, and build more meaningful therapeutic connections.

This training series is a collaboration between Alaska Advanced Behavioral Health, the National Association of Social Workers - Alaska Chapter, and The International Psychotherapy Institute.

This training is beneficial for social workers, psychologists, LMFTs, LPCs, psychiatrists, and other helping professionals.

Each session is $15 for NASW members ($10 for students or retired members) or $25 for future members.

Session 2: Anxiety and Defense Mechanisms (1 CE)
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
4-5 pm ET
This session examines how individuals unconsciously manage anxiety through psychological defense mechanisms. Participants will learn to identify common defenses, including denial, projection, rationalization, intellectualization, and repression, and explore how these defenses can both protect psychological functioning and contribute to emotional difficulties.
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