The APT-Birmingham Public Lecture

Saturday 5 March 2022

ASSISTED REPRODUCTION: “DONOR CONCEPTION FOR LIFE”
FAMILY OF CHOICE OR FAMILY OF LAST RESORT?

Katherine Fine

Times: 10:15 – 12:45

The task of mourning the loss of a “natural” conception offers the promise of re-defining the very nature of modern family. This talk is about the emotional and psychological impact on people who have used or are thinking of using one of the new reproductive technologies, to conceive a child. Advances in medical treatments form part of a burgeoning global fertility industry. Thus, families can be conceived, by using IVF, ICSI, by donated eggs or sperm, by surrogacy, by egg sharing schemes, with numerous medical “optional add-ons”. The possibility of the longed-for family can far outpace the emotional preparedness of patients and of psychotherapists.

Powerful conscious and unconscious fantasies can be aroused, which may reawaken early anxieties and developmental struggles. In the work of psychotherapy, the capacity to hold in mind and explore feelings of loss, ambivalence, shame, disappointment or inadequacy, can help parents and clinicians to relinquish the agonies suffered, along their journey. What becomes the family narrative has the potential to evolve and reach what Melanie Klein (1957) describes as the depressive position, offering a resolution, with a state of gratitude for the “family of choice”.

Katherine Fine: is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist with the British Psychotherapy Foundation (BPF), working in private practice in London. She is a Clinical Associate of the Independent Psychology Service (IPS) and, a visiting lecturer and supervisor at WPF Therapy in London. A member of the Donor Conception Network since its inception in 1993, she has facilitated both “Preparation for Parenthood” and “Talking and Telling” workshops. She is editor of: “Donor Conception for Life: Psychoanalytic Reflections on New Ways of Conceiving the Family” (Routledge 2015)

APPLICATION DETAILS

This lecture will take place at The Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BS (www.bmi.org.uk).

The cost for each lecture is £50.00 for WMIP members and £60.00 for non-WMIP members.

Please note that we are now offering a discount of 50% to trainee psychotherapists and other full-time trainees (proof of student/trainee membership is required). Please refer to the attached application form for further information on fees.

Bookings should ideally be made at least a fortnight before the lecture to be attended.

PAYMENT DETAILS

Please make BACS payments as follows:

Bank: Barclays, Sort Code: 20-08-44, Account No: 03737950
Account Name: The Training in Jungian Analytical Psychotherapy
(Please use your name as a reference)

Payment by Cheque:

All cheques should be made payable to “The Training in Jungian Analytical Psychotherapy” and sent to:
Sue Harford, Administrator to the Training Committee, Unit 1A, Stockwith Park, Stockwith Road, Misterton, Nottinghamshire. DN10 4ES.

For further details and queries contact:

Sue Harford, Administrator to the Training Committee,
telephone: 07789 545908, email: aptc@wmip.org

Download APTC Public Lecture A5 Booklet (pdf) >>