M I C H A E L S T O K E S
B L O G
13.05.23
Love?
Perhaps in psychoanalysis the interpretation of desire is not behaviour, nor a metaphorical picture of mirrors, but speech between lovers, and certainly not always intimate lovers.
In the purloined letter, a lot of emphasis is placed on the idea that the queen does not want what the love letter says, to get out. But the interpretation of desire is a contrary and tragic matter and perhaps it is because of this that we could also consider that in order to enjoy, she does want to get caught speaking to her lover, a way to make love, perhaps, but not not with her flesh!
20.01.26
Review:
Uncomfortable Conversations With A Jew by Emmanuel Acho & Noah Tishby
'That word, Jew, has been used as a slur for thousands of years but not because there's anything wrong with being a Jew. The problem is with the meaning that people have assigned to it, the dehumanization and humiliation associated with it. So, I am now reclaiming this word and owning it proudly. I'm a Jew, and I love it'
(Acho & Tishby, p. 7., Simon Element Publishers: New York (2024)
It is with pleasure that I review Uncomfortable Conversations With A Jew by Emmanuel Acho and Noah Tishby. And, my review is aslo aimed directly at some vexatious complaints I received, that I wasn't interested in, and, an interpretation in those transference. To continue, the authors of this book elaborate all sorts of meanings circulate around the word Jew, next to their aim to reclaim the word Jew, perhaps draining it of some jouissance.
And. next to their interest in words, speech, meaning and language, the speakers consider questions about recent and past atrocities and the rise of antisemitism. The book is a very important elucidation of our current and past epochs and changing world.
http://youtube.com/shorts/KmbgYxHRoVA?si=2P7RZ8unLc9GB8Wct
The format of a script, like reading a play, is interesting and accesible, and, perhaps it doesn't give people what they might expect. Thoughtful and with some new contributions to ongoing discourses and questions. Paperback edition, $19.99 from Simon Element Publisers, New York (2024).
21.03.26
A Logical End of Manualised Therapy: AI
Computer flowcharts and process diagrams are used to form exact inputs and outputs in a variety of business, production, manufacturing, computer science and some forms of therapy delivery. They are scientific, manualised processes that are perfect for AI to take over. After all, they come from computing fields in the first place.
Psychoanalysis is not like this. There is no flow chart, no diagramatic map of boxes, no production line, no manual, no certainty. Instead, there are favourable coordinates under which psychoanalysis may be offered, such as a quiet room with a couch and an analyst who has been analysed and who listens to their analysands talk and who takes their work to supervision.
Psychoanalysis is always case by case, one by one. It cannot be applied in the same way to everyone and the only certainty is that it could never be offered by a computer and AI becuase of the extraordinary, individual mediation of the unconscious by language and speech that cannot be pre-programmed.
09.04.26
Registration & Regulation: Compiling A List Of Names And The Obsessional Question About Paternity
The compiling of a list of names and a register of people who are consdiered to have passed a course in psychoanalysis is certainly wirth questioning. This is perhaps becuase the direction of the treatment in psychoanalysis has nothing to do with education and training, certificates and certainty. Despite this, training institutions sell training courses, issue timetables, offer talks and seminars about particular theoretical ideas, stipulate fixed attendance in reading groups, analysis and supervision, and charge so-called trianing fees. There are also relationships to prefessional bodies, colleges, associations and councils that endorse and charge memberships.
But, is there a fantasy of an ideal analyst? And, a "professional", "responsible", ideal worker following a "code" within capitalist efficiency and productivity? Of course there are no such thing. The direction of the treatment is psychoanalysis and is what may or may not move the analysand to analyst. That is the mobilisation of signifiers in psychoanalysis until making sense is recomsidered.
30.11.2021
Your Fantasies about Frustration (Are Nothing To Do With Me)
Imposing the ideas of frustration onto people during the clinic of psychoanalysis is unlikely to to have any effects at all and it is also likely to be extremely dull and even unethical for the analysand to have to hear about the analysts fantasies about frustration, nor most other topis for that matter. Dora famously leaves Freud becuase his fantasies about her are frustrated when she becomes alienated by them, and, refusing to occupy them for him, leaves indifferetly. And, Lacan's ideas that she is at the centre of the drama undermine that Dora is subjected to unwanted sexual demands and a rather strange arrangement.
Dora wasn't interested in Freud's fantasy matarial, nor did she need it, her analysis should have been a place for her to speculate and talk about her own life. But she did return to tell Freud something and Freud was able to develop his work becuase of Dora. And, she inspired knowledge in Freud, we could say it.
After Dora leaves him with his fantasies, Freud has to reformulate his ideas about hysteria to include a bisexuality. Heteronormativity had to make way for both a homosexual and heterosexual fantasy, even at once. Freud also makes it clear that it is basically useless to try and interpret from the level of visual observation because the fantasy has undergone censorship and distortion.
Unlike Freud, Charcot didn't split fantasy by sexual object. Charcot consdiered the importance of hereditary coordinates, or could we say signifiers, and trauma. He includes fantasy generally with the attitude passionelle in hysteria next to the coordinates of a psychical arrangement. But there is no frustration becuase the hysteric enjoys their own fatasy, unconsciously, and perhaps it is becuase of this that for Lacan, it is not an interpretation of fantasy, but a translation of repressed fantasy.
08.01.26
Supporting people with dyslexia and other long-term conditions to access supervision and analysis
Dyslexia is a long-term difference that is covered by the equality act (2010). Supporting trainees and analysands to access supervision and analysis who have dyslexia requires a consideration of their individual needs. For example, the UK government has written some notes considering support of social workers with dyslexia, accessing supervision for their work:
As stated, people with dyslexia usually think and learn differently alongside differences remembering and speaking. If they are a trainee paying training-fees to a training provider, they may also want to apply for DSA. This can help with some of the associated costs: reading materials for reading groups, a dictaphone for seminars, computer software to help write papers and reports, and a printer and portable laptop, not to mention specialist support where indicated. This in turn can increase time and resources for learning, study and analysis while reducing financial stress.
Conditions like complex trauma, amnesia and mutism may also have effects on remembering and speaking, and, may need further consideration, alongside any identifications and mourning, including estrangement.
People with dyslexia and trauma are welcome to bring notes to supervision and analysis if they decide it can help them remember details of things such as dreams, names and the sequence of events in time. This can increase participation and enjoyment for people with low self-esteem and can have advantageous effects on the supervision. For example, if questions around risk, capacity and safeguarding exist, accurate reporing could make all the difference to saving someones life.
People should not be asked to 'give up' their notes simply because a supevisor or so-called training thinks they should. Disturbing demands such as this may contribute to complex trauma symptoms if there is a history of abuse and neglect.
Exceptions to these parameters do exist and include what sort of work is taken to supervision. For example, an analyst cannot supervise an entirely different form of therapeutic work unless they too are insured to offer such work.
23.08.25
Psychoanalysis: Some Cause, But Not A Devotion
Even psychoanalysts move house, have sex lives, use dating apps, are rude, and even wear leather. Only sometimes, is psychoanalysis a job, a way of listening, a role: but it is certainly not a committed, puritan devotion that is all-encompassing. Analysts may decide to move countries for more enjoyable and inclusive politics, better agriculture and more favourable coordinates for psychoanalysis, just to start with.
Psychoanalysis is neither the majesty nor the baby. It may provide some cause to join for those who want to follow and create it, but it is not something that is a way of life, a devotion to the cloth, or something that is owned and guarded by acolytes acting out some fantasy in an autoerotic committee.
The rebellion of Lacan may be inspiring but it was after all his desire as a rotation for others to take up their own. Case-by-case. One-by-one.
20.07.24
Trans(formation)
Trans(formation) has been around for a very very long time. Some ancient initiation rites and rites of passage sometimes included the transformation of gender and identity. Bodies have also gone under the knife, even before anything surgical.
Transformation is a passage, we could say it, even for us all, but it is not limited to the modes of gender and identity.
Nor is it in the brain, or the groin. Transformation cannot simply be localised to one organ or another, but will likely include some questions about what is wanted, who one wants to be and what questions the transformation may eventually pose, that have not yet been possible.
Psychoanalysis is a formation and in that way, it too is a trans, even if a diagnosis has been made.
07.07.24
Fees: They Too Are For Goods And Services
The fees of psychoanalysis, even if they are low, are agreed by the analyst, after all it is their clinic. Fees can be renegotiated if the analyst thinks it would support the analysis, but they are always due and there may be indications from the analysis that reductions, allowances and negotiations may not be indicated for the direction of the analysis.
The facts of the matter under the goods and services act are that payment is due upon receipt of goods and services and late payments may incur interest. If a person has capacity and requests an appointment with the knowledge that there is a fee, and requests further appointments, then the fee can be expected.
Failure to pay without telling the analyst can be considered theft, and if the fee is deliberately withheld then intentional deception may also be considered along with other forensic material such as sadistic traits etc. The analyst may have forensic experience but even if they do they may wish to appoint a specialist forensic supervisor who can help them, in addition to their usual supervisor, in some cases.
And, the fee in a Lacanian clinic does not equate with time and the analyst is unlikely to charge by the minute or by the hour. This is made clear at the start during the initial meetings and assessment: it is the speech of the analysand that punctuates the appointments.
01.06.24
Some Notes, Considering The Clinic
The analyst will generally appoint a supervisor, or more, when there is some interest in the supervisor's work. After all, to appoint a supervisor is in itself an acknowledgement that the analyst doesn't know everything.
And, the analyst may change the supervisor, even if they want to: it is the analysts' choice who they wish to employ. Any demands from doctrinaire trainings for sameness, fixed ideas about frequency and indoctrination should be thoroughly questioned. The fee of the supervisor can be claimed back as an expense of the analysts' clinic, but only if the analyst can afford it.
And, accurate details about signifiers, formations, dreams, diagnosis, history etc. given by the analyst to the supervisor, assures the analyst has taken reasonable and responsible means to support their clinic and their insurance. Since when could the supervisor work without them.
And, like anyone, the analyst will have their own symptoms that may include formations such as hysterical mutism, aphonia and amnesias and the analyst may sometimes use notes to assist their access to supervision in this way, too, if they wish.
Any supervisor and so-called training that are prejudice against symptoms and formations can be disregarded on the grounds of discrimination.
04.06.24
Substantiation: substances and chem-sex
People have been taking all sorts of things for 1000's of years: tonics, potions, hallucinogens, hypnotics, stimulants, alcohol, pills, vapours and smoke. Orgies, festivals, parties and happenings have also been around since forever.
Temporary and sometimes permanent ways to loose yourself, to go out of your mind, to relieve some pain, to escape and to simply have a good time are aims that include greater or lesser excess, pain and enjoyment, even during sex, and even during sex with yourself.
Nothing particularly new, we could say, but some current preoccupation with other peoples sex lives might be. The level of intrigue is probably more interesting than the topic.
Psychoanalysis is not concerned with a professionalisation of life and even worse a regulation of peoples sex lives. Enjoyment and suffering may be articulated in psychoanalysis, but only if you want to.
03.06.24
It's A Re(a)d Flag! Semaphore And Ascription
It's a re(a)d flag! After all, semaphore cannot be anything else. Perhaps it is because of this that psychoanalysis doesn't interpret by re(a)d flags, nor other images like the tarot or astrology.
And, some ascriptions may be modes of enjoyment and suffering that should remain in place, for some subjects may try and hold themselves together with them. But formations of the unconscious are the effects of repressed signifiers, inscriptions and fantasy, and interpretations in the transference in the analysis may have effects there.
18.03.24
Some not(es), for the school
A school is to be taken in this case as a place to ask some questions next to critical discourse and critical thinking. After all, anywhere that charges so-called training fees might necessitate a dialectic. But regardless of that, there is no standard, etiquette nor one-way in psychoanalysis, it is case-by-case, even with some notes.
Supervision is no different, but it is not the centre for psychoanalysis because there is no such thing. Supervision and the analysis consider the repetition of letters for the analysand, inscriptions and ascriptions that have effects on the bodies, even if they are written.
A little note to say,
On any day!
Try as you might,
Labels? Don't quite!
Just a note to say,
Not all, anyway!