On a webinar session for 3 Psychology students of CHRIST Bannerghatta Road campus, held on 23rd October 2020, Ms Bhutani, the resource speaker, read through a paper she had written concerning her psychotherapy practice, providing explanations regarding the topics that were being touched in the paper. Ms Bhutani explained that there is a patient within all of us, and how it is necessary for psychoanalytical psychotherapists to first have themselves analysed and understood. She explained how listening in psychotherapy is a receptive activity. Ms Bhutani also touched upon topics such as death, the pull towards nothingness, and the fear of separation from the mother that was symbolised in one’s fear of death.
Ms Bhutani also talked about her practice as a psychoanalyst. She explained the difficulties of working with Indian clients who tend to find it difficult to individuate. She also explained how important it is for psychotherapists to tap into the symbolic images that sprout in their minds during sessions, or how the therapeutic relationship was long-term and intensive due to the need for the therapist to be in touch with and share the emotions of the client. She talked about how the outcome of therapy is not happiness or satisfaction but the ability to be in touch with one’s pain.
Ms Bhutani also gave advice on taking care of one’s mental health. She explained how being in touch with one’s negative emotions and thoughts is important. The difference between a transformative opportunity for growth and a catastrophe is the ability to maintain a sense of continuity.
After Ms Bhutani had finished reading her paper, the floor was opened for questions from the audience. Both students and faculty asked questions regarding the field of psychoanalysis and her work in the field. After the Q&A session, Ezra Varghese provided and vote of thanks and formally ended the session.
Ms Bhutani’s clean and precise language helped her capture the attention of the viewers and kept them engaged. While some found the reading of her prose-like paper interesting, others were lost in the poetic narration Ms Bhutani used. Yet her constant references to both literature and academic work helped the audience connect her experiences in the sessions with the concepts learned in the syllabus.