MINDS AT WORK

IN-DEPTH EXPLORATION OF PSYCHOANALYTIC PRACTICE

MINDS AT WORK with JUDY K. EEKHOFF

I am a psychoanalyst, a clinical psychologist, a consultant and a teacher. I supervise others who are also continuing to learn. I teach and consult and write. After thirty years in the field, I too continue to learn. Although I frequently offer and attend professional workshops, I learn most from my patients and my life experience.I believe that no two of us experience our lives in the same way and for that reason, I must always learn new things in order to authentically be with whomever I am with. I believe that learning from experience is the most important way we learn and so I believe that psychoanalysis is experiential learning.

Judy K. Eekhoff, PhD FIPA is an IPA certified training and supervising psychoanalyst and a licensed child psychologist who has a private practice in Seattle, Washington, USA. She is a full faculty member of Northwestern Psychoanalytic Society & Institute, of Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute and of COR Northwest Family Development Center. She is the author of numerous articles and book chapters and of three books: Trauma & Primitive Mental States, An Object Relations Perspective and Bion and Primitive Mental States: Trauma and the Symbiotic Link and Bion's Emotional Links.

The Clinical Long-Weekend with Judy K. EEKHOFF

We are pleased to invite you to a three-day in-person event in Lisbon from July 31 to August 2. This event brings together candidates and psychoanalysts for a shared, in-depth exploration of our clinical practice..

This gathering is more than a meeting. It's an intimate working space designed to foster rich and thoughtful discussion of ongoing psychoanalytic processes—cases that are alive, in motion, and evolving.

Judy K. Eekhoff will lead the group. Together, we will reflect on the complexities and nuances of analytic work as it unfolds. We aim to sharpen our clinical sensibilities and deepen our analytic stance.

Over the three days, we will engage in three to five detailed psychoanalytic clinical presentations. Each is based on analyses involving three (or more) sessions per week, beginning with a clinical history and two sessions.

Our dialogues will focus on essential psychoanalytic processes. These include cultivating free association in both patient and analyst, and creating space in a group setting where the unexpected can emerge.

We have been working with Judy for many years now in different settings. What we enjoy most is the clinical work with her because of her very distinctive style. She connects with the case, the presenter, and the group on a profound emotional level that goes way beyond symbolic representation and is embedded deep in your body. She starts from there, from the emotions difficult to put into words. But slowly, impressions form, and a narrative starts to emerge. Individuals begin to feel like members of a group working together to achieve a good enough understanding of the case presented.

Working with Judy is far from an intellectual exercise. It is a deep emotional group experience.

If you would like to discuss your case with Judy K. Eekhoff and the group send us an email to people@freeassociation.pt and we will assist you with the preparations.

The Setting

Our time in Portugal and time together will not be limited to clinical work. Lisbon—full of light, history, culture, and gastronomy—will serve as a backdrop to informal conversations, shared meals, and time to enjoy one another’s company.

There will be opportunities to explore, engage in informal peer discussions, and rest in between the intensity of our working sessions. You are not just a participant, but an integral part of this collaborative environment.

We look forward to a gathering that is as intellectually enriching as it is personally, where we can think together, hold complexity, and allow ourselves to be affected by one another’s work and presence. This event is not just an opportunity for professional development, but also a unique chance for personal growth and meaningful connections within our community.

The Venue

We will meet at the Gomes Freire Manison, in Gomes Freire Street 98, Lisbon. There are many hotels and restaurants in the neighborhood.

A curiosity, on the other side of the street, you will find the gardens of the oldest psychiatric hospital, Hospital Miguel Bombarda, founded in 1848. The hospital itself is now closed, but the garden offers shade on hot summer days and hosts artistic residences and a nice little restaurant.

Accommodation Nearby

There many places to stay in walking distance from the venue. Here are some of them for your convenience.

All these places are in walking distance. The nearest is the Lisbon Garden Guest House. It is a small hotel with just a few rooms. Lisbon will be busy. We recommend early reservations.

REG MATW

Save 100 euros with early-bird registration until May 17.

REGISTRATION

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Attending the MINDS AT WORK 2026 clinical meeting depends on your agreement to the Registration Terms and Conditions.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

The official language of any event is English.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS

You can cancel at any time by emailing us at people@freeassociation.pt with your bank details. Please note that a 50€ cancellation fee will be applied.

AUDIO RECORDING, FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Participant recordings of any part of the conference are strictly forbidden.

RIGHT OF REFUSAL

The Free Association Lisbon reserves the right to decline to register any individual without further explanation. Meeting registrations are strictly personal to the individual who purchased them and are non-transferable under any circumstances.

By registering, you agree to these rules.