Psychoanalysis as a Dream? Critical Encounters with the Generalized Dream Theory

The Scientific Program Committee
is pleased to present

Psychoanalysis as a Dream?
Critical Encounters with the Generalized Dream Theory

Presenter: Daru Huppert

Saturdays, October 24, 2026; November 14, 2026; December 19, 2026; January 30 and February 20, 2027
10:30am-12:30pm EST via Zoom
10 CEUs Available

Since its initial conception in The Interpretation of Dreams psychoanalytical dream theory has undergone several deep revisions. One particularly influential revision has been the attempt to view the patient primarily as a dreamer or, as is more often the case, as someone who is unable to dream. The psychoanalytic treatment thereby becomes a dream for two: the patient and the analyst. In this conception the dream, particularly the waking dream thought, becomes the fundamental and general foundation of psychoanalytic theory and practice.

While the generalized dream theory is evocative, offering new perspectives on the clinical material as well as on the psychoanalytic technique, it raises deep questions, that will be addressed in the seminar. What happens to the special and particular significance of dreams when the dream theory is generalized? Can the psychoanalytical treatment as a whole be aptly rendered as a dream?

The generalized dream theory has often been exclusively associated with Bion and some of his followers (Ogden, Ferro), but earlier attempts to generalize the significance of dreams can be found in Lewin and even, though only implicitly, in Freud.  In the seminar we will therefor read seminal texts, by Freud, Lewin, Bion, Ferro and Ogden.

Presenter:
Daru Huppert studied clinical and social psychology at NYU, the University of Zurich and Cambridge University, where he lectured on psychoanalysis for several years. His extensive publications cover a wide range of psychoanalytic topics, such as dreams, sexuality, sleep and masochism. He is a co-editor and contributor of Contemporary Perspectives on the Freudian Death Drive. Daru Huppert has lectured across Europe and holds a continuous seminar in Vienna, devoted to the exacting and slow reading of Freud’s texts.

Program Fee:
Members: $400 | Candidates: $150
Registration closes at 5:00pm on October 22^nd.
Cancellation within 7 days of program.

A recording of this event will be available for anyone who is not able to attend in real time. However, CE credits are available only to those who attend in real time.

References:

Brown, L. J. (2020) A Discussion of “Field Theory and the Dream Sense: Continuing the Comparison of Interpersonal/Relational Theory and Bionian Field Theory”. Psychoanalytic Dialogues 30:554-559

Braun-Guedel, B. (2018) Rêve et transformations, de Freud à Bion/Ogden en passant par Ferenczi. Revue française de psychanalyse 82:1463-1468

Binswanger, R. (2020) Sketch of the Psychoanalytic Oeuvre of Fritz Morgenthaler: Theory of Technique, Sexuality and Dream Diagnostics. Psychoanalysis and History 22:75-78

Binswanger, R. & Wittmann, L. (2024) Freuds Traumtheorie aus der Perspektive seines Spätwerks: Zur Integration des strukturellen Gesichtspunkts*. Psyche – Zeitschrift für Psychoanalyse 78:673-705

Civitarese, G. (2021) Get in the Picture: Are Dreams Still Central to Psychoanalysis?. Modern Psychoanalysis 45:8-32

Civitarese, G. (2025) Psychoanalysis as Hermeneutic Reverie and Critical Theory. Fort Da 31:7-19

Civitarese, G. & Bonetti, S. (2018) Hallucinosis, Dreaming, and Play: The Analytic Field and its Transformations. Fort Da 24:5-21

Fabozzi, P. (2020) Dreaming and Experiencing in the Potential Space. Psychoanalytic Quarterly 89:613-629

Giordo, G. (2016) The Sense of the Body in the Dream: Diagnostic Capacity in the Meanings of Dreams. International Journal of Psychoanalysis 97:281-304

Huppert, D. (2023) Traumbilder, autoerotische Zustände und die Fähigkeit, alleine zu sein. Jahrbuch der Psychoanalyse 87:157-175

Stern, D. B. (2020) Field Theory and the Dream Sense: Continuing the Comparison of Interpersonal/ Relational Theory and Bionian Field Theory. Psychoanalytic Dialogues 30:538-553

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the fundamental concepts of Freud’s dream theory.
2. Describe new developments in dream theory
3. Describe Bion’s contributions to the clinical use of dreams.
4. Discuss the ways in which Lewin and Bion’s ideas about dreams relate to Freud’s dream theory.
5. Describe the contributions of Lewin, Ogden and Ferro to psychoanalytic dream theory.
6. Discuss the various ways dreams can be used in sessions
7. Discuss the relevance of dreams in the treatment of non-neurotic patients.
8. Discuss the place of dreams within the overall process of analysis.
9. Discuss the technical implications of generalizing the dream.

CFS Scientific Program Committee:
Cornelius Dufallo (Chair) • Baiyu Chen • Umi Chong • Jennifer Grant • Michael Krass • Kristin Lee • Jessica Reik • Janet Schiff

Who Should Attend: The instructional level for this activity is advanced.  Mental Health Professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, licensed professional counselors, e.g. LPs, LCATs, and pastoral counselors) and those with an interest in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic thinking and clinical applications.

Continuing Education Credits:

NY Social Workers: The PTI-CFS is recognized by the NYS Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0087

NY Psychoanalysts: The PTI-CFS is recognized by the NYS Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychoanalysts #P-0021.

NY Licensed Psychologists: The PTI-CFS is recognized by the NYS Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0017.

Psychologists: The CFS is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  The CFS maintains responsibility for this program and its content.  (DC, MD and VA Psychologist licensing boards accept CE credits provided by an APA approved Sponsor.  All other psychologists should check with their licensing boards.)

DC, MD and VA Social Workers: The Social Work Boards of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia will grant continuing education credits to social workers attending a program offered by an APA authorized sponsor.

CE credits will only be granted to participants with documented attendance of the entire program and completed online evaluation form. No partial credit will be offered. It is the responsibility of the participants seeking CE credits to comply with these requirements.  Upon completion of this program and online evaluation form, participants will be granted credits.

Important Disclosure Information: None of the planners and presenters of this program have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.