Listening – it’s the cornerstone of human connection, yet the intricacies of depth therapy often remain hidden behind closed doors, bound by confidentiality. What if we could bring these transformative conversations into the public sphere and reveal the true magic that occurs within the therapeutic encounter?

I’m Eileen Dunn, the voice behind The Art of Listening, and these are the very questions that led me to the creation of this podcast. As a psychoanalyst and clinical psychologist, my life’s work has been dedicated to uncovering the power of depth therapy, where the roles of speaker and listener are crucial to fostering personal growth and healing. Throughout this series, we've welcomed a range of guests, each with their own voice, insights, and experience. All committed to the human-to-human relationships at the heart of therapeutic transformation.

So to conclude this series today, I wanted to share my own story and reflect on the creative process behind this podcast. In this final episode, we embark on the personal journey that led me to the field of clinical psychology. We consider the moments of pain and triumph that shaped my approach and helped me form the big questions that have consistently driven my work. And as we come to a close, I’ll share what I’m taking away from each of our distinguished guests, to draw meaningful, long-lasting lessons from the Art of Listening.

Join me in this final episode as we delve into the heart of what makes listening so transformative.

Chapters

1 - The inspiration behind The Art of Listening

2 - Eileen’s background, upbringing, and journey to clinical psychology

3 - The magic of listening and connection between speaker & listener

4 - From “being” to “doing” - listening as openness to action
5 - The importance of human connection in a modern world
6 - Reflections and main takeaways from the series

Links

• Eileen Dunn
• More from ‘The Art of Listening’

Key Words

Human Connection, Therapeutic Space, The Foundation of Psychoanalysis, Psychoanalysis, Psychology, Therapy, Connection, Mental Health, Wellness, Empathetic Listening Psychoanalytic Perspectives, Counseling Techniques, Humanistic Therapy, Mental Health Solutions, Therapist-Patient Bond, Talk Therapy Advocacy, Mindful Listening, Profound Healing, Personal Development, Meaningful Conversations, Mental Health History, Clinical Psychology, Therapeutic Practices, Compassionate Therapy, Healing Through Talk, Empathy, Suffering, Psychoanalytic Theory, Psychotherapy, Psychoanalysis, Therapeutic Techniques, Humanity in Therapy, Humanity, Mental Health Treatments, Patient-Therapist Relationship, Advocacy for Talk Therapy, Eileen Dunn, Depth Talk Therapy, The Art of Listening, Mental Health Insights, Active Listening, Deep Listening, Deep Healing, Personal Growth, The Art of Listening Podcast, Meaningful Interactions, Disconnect in Modern Society, Research and History in Mental Health

We often think of our conscious experience as one driven by language. Our thoughts are shaped by words; our emotions processed in conversation. Yet, while language is a sharp tool for expression, the level of detail and nuance it affords us can also get us lost. And like many other animals, we communicate our needs before we’re able to speak. So what if consciousness, the quality of being us in the privacy of our mind, was in fact something else?

My guest today has spent 40 years investigating what it means to be at once a brain, a mind and a psyche. And he has done away with complexity to conclude: “it’s all feelings”.

Mark Solms is a renowned neuropsychologist, psychoanalyst, and researcher who has bridged the gap between two traditionally opposed disciplines: neuroscience and psychoanalysis. A pioneer in his field, and a true inspiration for many practitioners on both sides of the divide, Mark has shown that cognitive and analytical work are two sides of a coin, and that they have much to learn from each other.

In this episode of the Art of Listening, we let Mark Solms lead the way, to unpack his life's work. Drawing from difficult childhood experience, Mark reflects on what seeded his existential questions and led him to investigate the inner workings of the brain. Together, we get to grips with what constitutes a conscious experience, we question the legacy of Freud’s findings, and we tap into the power of Neuropsychoanalysis to enhance how we listen.

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Mark Solms, and reconcile the study of the subject with the study of the object; of the brain, with the psyche.

Chapters

1 - The accident that changed Mark’s childhood

2 - First forays into neuroscience: daring to leave the beaten path

3 - “Neuropsychotherapy” or how a new discipline is born

4 - How cognitive and analytic approaches can benefit each other
5 - Consciousness and language beyond verbal communication

Links

• Mark Solms
• Mark’s Books
• More from ‘The Art of Listening’

The children we once were will always stay with us. And when we drift back to treasured moments from childhood, we find that our play was a great source of growth. Games, toys, and play-pretends helped us explore the world; they taught us how to interact with others and express our ideas for the first time. In fact, playing was integral to our personal development. So why did we ever give it up? And what happens when we continue to play, as adults? Our guest Sarah Abel has dedicated her career to these questions.

Sarah is a “reluctant adult”, a former teacher and social worker, who now works as a psychotherapist. She has spent 20 years in private practice, working with a range of patients, including children and adults. Her focus has always been to explore the dynamics of childhood development and recognize the value of play within our lives and within the therapeutic setting.

On this episode of the Art of Listening, Sarah Abel takes us on a nostalgic journey back to our childhoods. Together, we reflect on the significance of play, exploring how it shapes our understanding of the world. We discuss how our bonds with our family define how we go on to interact with the world. And we delve into the power of play to reshape who we are and express ourselves in new ways, finding that in the psychoanalytic environment, play can knock down barriers between patient and therapist, and facilitate growth.

Join us in conversation today, as we reconnect with our child-like curiosity and wonder, and learn (or re-learn) to play at every stage of life.

Chapters

1 - Stories from Sarah's early teaching and social work experiences (7:24)

2 - The use of play in the psychoanalytic setting (15:06)
3 - The role of family and parents in childhood development (18:41)
4 - Attachment Patterns, and the lifelong effects of childhood (25:21)
5 - What Sarah has learned from play and her work with children (31:12)

Links

• Sarah Abel
• Eileen Dunn
• More from ‘The Art of Listening’
• Sarah’s Book ‘Calming Story Feelings’