2020 ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING AND PRE-CONFERENCE
SEMINAR
JOIN US FOR 2 DAYS OF RELATED EVENTS VIA ZOOM!
Norka Malberg, Psy.D.
Discussant: Mark Dangerfield, Ph.D.
Sign up for one or both events at www.vapsvt.org
Pre-Conference Zoom Seminar
Introduction to Mentalization:
An example of theoretical and clinical integration
Friday, November 6, 2020, 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
~ AND ~
Annual Scientific Meeting by Zoom
Through the child analytic lens:
Applications of attachment theory to psychoanalytic practice
Saturday, November 7, 2020, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
ABOUT THE PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR
Introduction to Mentalization : An example of theoretical and clinical
integration
By Zoom on November 6th, 2020, 12:30-4:00 p.m.
There will be one 20-minute break.
Child and adult psychoanalyst Dr. Norka Malberg will introduce theoretical aspects of
mentalization, and how it develops and is addressed clinically, with a special emphasis on
borderline-organized patients. “Mentalization” is the capacity to recognize conscious and
unconscious states of mind in oneself and others, and mentalization-based therapy
(MBT)is an evidence-based treatment that derives from both traditional psychoanalytic
concepts and more recent discoveries in attachment and social cognition research.
Technical elements of a mentalization focused intervention will be discussed alongside
clinical examples. The presentation seeks to integrate the existing expertise of the
participants in order to explore Mentalized-Based Therapy as a framework for
psychotherapy integration.
This introduction to the concept of Mentalization and its clinical applications will include:
• The ABC’s of MBT : Basic Theoretical Concepts
• The four legs of the MBT Stance: The Therapeutic Stance
• Technical Principles and Clinical Applications
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To identify the three pre-mentalizing modes of functioning and how they manifest in
clinical practice.
To describe the specific characteristics of an MBT therapeutic posture.
To identify and describe the four dimensions of functioning as they manifest in the
clinical situation and relationship.
To describe the theoretical influences supporting MBT clinical practice.
ABOUT THE SCIENTIFIC MEETING
Through the child analytic lens: Applications of attachment theory to
psychoanalytic practice
By Zoom on November 7, 2020, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
In her morning paper, Dr. Malberg will focus on attachment and sexuality as they manifest in
children’s play, and in the developing person over time. In the afternoon she will explore the
therapeutic challenges that we confront in psychoanalytic practice when working with
children, adolescents, and adults online, especially modifications needed to maintain the
frame and the focus on attachment, relationship dynamics, and development of mentalization
capacities.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To understand the role of playfulness in the context of attachment and sexuality in
both child and adult clinical material.
To distinguish the differences between a more classical ego psychology treatment
focus and a mentalization influenced approach.
To understand the characteristics of a developmental psychoanalytic perspective and
how they benefit a flexible therapeutic stance while maintaining the therapeutic frame.
To identify how the mentalization based treatment model can help to inform the
necessary modifications in technique inherent in our work online with children.
To distinguish technical modifications influenced by mentalization based theory in the
context of psychodynamic psychotherapy.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
8:15 a.m. Early log in to Zoom available (Technical assistance will be available if needed)
9:00 a.m. Welcome - Devon Jersild, Ph.D., VAPS President
Morning Paper: “Attachment, Play and Sexuality: What does playing look like?”
Norka Malberg, Psy.D.
Discussion with: Mark Dangerfield, Ph.D.
11:00 a.m. Morning Break
11:15 a.m. Large Group Discussion
12:00 p.m. Lunch
Conference Schedule, cont.
1:30 p.m. Afternoon paper: “Working online with children, adolescents and adults:
Reflections from a developmental psychoanalytic perspective” with clinical
illustrations
Norka Malberg, Psy.D.
Discussion with: Mark Dangerfield, Ph.D.
2:55 p.m. Short break to proceed to small groups
3:00 p.m. Small Group Meetings. Discussion Leaders are:
#1 Polly Young-Eisendrath, Ph.D. #10 Douglas Dennett, MD
#2 William Butler, Ph.D. #11 Melvin Miller, Ph.D.
#3 Jean Pieniadz, Ph.D. #12Brooke Barss, MD
#4 Mina Levinsky-Wohl, MD, LCMHC #13 Sharon Dennett, MSW
#5 Alice Silverman, MD #14 Andrea O’Neill, Psy.D. M.Ed., MA
#6 Teresa Canal Meyer, Ph.D. #15 Tamara Bisbee, Psy.D.
#7 Claire Dumas, Psy.D. #16 Judith Lewis, MD
#8 Betsy Sprague, Ph.D. #17 Michele Reed, MSW
#9 Mika Barker-Hart, MSW and #18 Sandra Howell, MS
Emma Burrous, Ph.D. #19 Jim Jacobson, MD
4:00 p.m. Afternoon Break
4:15 p.m. Large Group Discussion
Closing Remarks: Devon Jersild, Ph.D.
5:00 p.m. Adjourn
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Norka Malberg, PsyD is a certified child and adult psychoanalyst who trained at the Anna
Freud Centre in London. She is co-editor of The Anna Freud Tradition, the first book in
Routledge’s “Lines of Development” series, and of the Child and Adolescent sections of the
PDM-2 (Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual). Known for her applications of attachment
theory to clinical work, Dr. Malberg has written and presented widely on mentalizationbased
treatment for children and has been featured as a guest master clinician in such video
series as the APA’s Systems of Psychotherapy Video Series and Working with Emotions in
Emotion-Focused Therapy. Originally from Puerto Rico, Dr. Malberg teaches and lectures in
Latin America, Europe, and the United States in the areas of attachment, play, developmental
psychoanalysis, and children and trauma. She is currently in private practice in Barcelona,
Spain but remains Assistant Clinical Professor at the Yale Child Study Center, where she
conducts an early childhood seminar for child psychiatric residents.
ABOUT THE DISCUSSANT
Mark Dangerfield, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst who has worked for
over 25 years in pediatric hospitals and mental health services in Barcelona, specializing in
treating adolescents and adults. A member of the Spanish Society of Psychoanalysis and the
International Psychoanalytical Association, he is the Clinical Manager of the Home
Intervention Team of the Vidal and Barraquer Foundation, a pioneering project in Spain
that works with non-help-seeking young people with high psychopathological and social
exclusion risks, based on the AMBIT model of the Anna Freud National Center for Children
and Families (London). Dr. Dangerfield is a Professor at the University Institute of Mental
Health (Ramon Llull University) and an AMBIT Trainer at the Anna Freud National Center
for Children and Families in London.
PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR AND CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
These events--the seminar on November 6th, and the conference on November 7th-- are being
offered in conjunction with each other, but each can be attended on its own. Be sure to register
for each event if you plan to attend them both.
Registration is available only online and includes the option of paying by credit/debit card or
check. To register as a member, go to www.vapsvt.org, log in, click the events tab and select
Pre-Conference Seminar on Mentalization or 2020 Scientific Meeting with Norka Malberg, Psy.D.
To register as a non-member, simply skip the log in step and proceed directly to the event
page. When you click “Register” you will be given the option to pay by credit/debit card
through our secure PayPal payment processing system, or by a check payable to VAPS and
mailed to our treasurer, Aleta Vail, Ph.D., 3 Main Street, Suite 216, Burlington, VT 05401.
Registration payment questions may be directed to Aleta Vail at aletavail18@gmail.com.
Conference inquiries may be directed to Georgia DeGangi, Ph.D. at gdegangi@gmail.com.
Students are welcome at no charge but are required to register online. Please indicate an
email address on the registration form for your zoom invitation and indicate your preferences
for small group facilitator for the Scientific Meeting. Registration closes on Oct. 17Th.
Fee Schedule
Before October 5Th After October 5Th
Nov. 6th Pre-Conference Seminar
VAPS Member $65 $75
Non-Member $75 $80
Student Free Free
Nov. 7th Scientific Meeting
VAPS Member $135 $145
Non-member $150 $160
Student Free Free
Cancelation Policy: No refunds after November 1st.
3 CEU’s have been approved for the pre-conference seminar and 6 CEU’s for the Scientific
Meeting, for Psychologists, Social Workers, and Licensed Mental Health Counselors.