Explore the paternal function's impact on development in South Africa. Learn psychoanalytic perspectives on father figures in mental health CPD courses.
This course examines the psychological impact of the paternal figure, an influence the presenter argues is often under-recognised in development and clinical work. Based on his own published paper, he reviews the psychoanalytic literature and sets out five dimensions of the paternal function, from Winnicott's ideas on holding and protecting to separation, psychic structure, affect regulation and psychic safety, before considering the paternal function in the therapeutic setting. The course is accredited by the HPCSA for CPD points and will interest South African psychologists working in psychodynamic, trauma-informed or relational ways who want to conceptualise how fathers shape a client's internal world.
This thought-provoking talk explores the significant and often under-recognised psychological impact of the paternal figure in development and clinical work. Drawing from his original published paper, the presenter critically reviews psychoanalytic literature on the paternal function, identifying five distinct dimensions of the father’s role in shaping an individual's internal world.
With clinical relevance across diverse presentations, this talk provides theoretical frameworks to help psychologists better conceptualise how clients’ experiences with their fathers or father figures may influence attachment, identity formation, emotional regulation, and interpersonal dynamics. This material is particularly valuable for psychologists working in psychodynamic, trauma-informed, or relational modalities.
Sections
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
Describe five distinct psychoanalytic perspectives on the paternal function
Identify the developmental and psychological impact of the father figure across the lifespan
Apply psychoanalytic constructs to conceptualise the role of paternal relationships in clients’ presenting issues
Reflect on the clinical implications of paternal dynamics in therapeutic practice
Use theoretical tools to better understand transference and countertransference related to the father figure