Cate Desjardins, Ph.D.
Ethical Decision Making as a Psychodynamic Process
Ethical dilemmas in clinical practice rarely have one “right” way through them. There are often several possible courses of action available that could be conceived of as ethical. Further, psycho- dynamically-oriented clinicians need also consider unconscious meanings and motivations that may be involved. In this mini-course, we approach ethical decision making as a psychodynamic process that can be effectively navigated through deepening specific capacities that are central to our clinical approach. These include reflexivity, consultation, empathy (Kohut, 1981), and “radical openness” (Hart, 2014). Through discussion of ethical dilemmas that arose in real life cases, we will collaboratively exercise those capacities, allowing us to gain insight into how our personal ethical commitments influence our clinical decision making, as well as to consider other perspectives on the same material. This is a discussion-focused course; some advance reading will be required to facilitate full participation.
Upcoming Events
Shared Wisdom: Cultural Evolution in the Age of AI
Alex “Sandy” Pentland, Ph.D.
Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI and Toshiba Professor of Media Arts & Science at MIT’s Sloan School of Management
Lisa Kay Solomon
Lecturer and the Futurist in Residence at the Stanford d.school
ON ZOOM
The Balancing Act: Creating Healthy Dependency and Connection Without Losing Yourself
Nedra Glover Tawwab, LCSW
Licensed therapist and New York Times bestselling author
Natalie Y. Moore
Award-winning journalist and author, and senior lecturer and director of audio programming at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University
ON ZOOM
Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History
Helen Zoe Veit, Ph.D.
Associate professor of history at Michigan State University
John Waller, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of the History of Medicine at Michigan State University
ON ZOOM
