Tavistock Foundations
Presented by Vivian Eskin
8 CEUs
Dates: April 24, May 1, May 8, May 15 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST
Fee: $320
Abstract
This 4-week course on couple psychoanalytic psychotherapy follows the work with couples developed over many years at Tavistock Relationships, London. The emphasis in couple psychoanalytic psychotherapy is on what is unconsciously shared between the couple, and how they externalize their inner worlds of their primary relationships in the present relationship and in couple therapy. We will cover concepts such as unconscious beliefs, the couple state of mind, unconscious fit and choice of partner, the projective system, the creative couple, the internal couple, narcissism and the couple. Readings will be provided for each seminar.
Learning Objectives
Deepen understanding of how unconscious processes shape couple dynamics. Participants will be able to describe and work with key psychoanalytic concepts—such as unconscious beliefs, unconscious fit, projective systems, and the couple state of mind—to illuminate how partners externalize internal object relations within the couple relationship.
Develop the capacity to identify and interpret shared psychic structures within the couple. Participants will learn to recognize manifestations of the internal couple, creative couple, and narcissistic dynamics as they arise in clinical material, and to use these frameworks to guide therapeutic formulation and intervention.
Strengthen clinical technique in couple psychoanalytic psychotherapy using the Tavistock model. Participants will be able to apply Tavistock concepts to real clinical situations, including understanding the shared unconscious between partners, assessing the projective system, and facilitating movement toward a more reflective and generative couple state of mind.