Psychoanalytic Thinking with Dr Don Carveth
Donald Carveth
Join distinguished professor and psychoanalyst Dr Don Carveth for engaging lectures centring around psychoanalysis, diving into its roots, bringing us up to the modern-day. Known for his clear communication style, Don's grasp of the literature comes through in the thought-provoking opinions he provides. This podcast will facilitate a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.
Donald L Carveth, PhD, RP, FIPA is Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Social & Political Thought at York University in Toronto. He is a training and supervising analyst in the Canadian Institute of Psychoanalysis, past Director of the Toronto Institute of Psychoanalysis, and past Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Psychoanalysis/Revue Canadienne de Psychanalyse.
Dr Don Carveth works with Aodhán Moran to produce this podcast. Follow Aodhán on X/Twitter at @aodhanpmoran or contact at aodhanpmoran@gmail.com.
Donald L Carveth, PhD, RP, FIPA is Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Social & Political Thought at York University in Toronto. He is a training and supervising analyst in the Canadian Institute of Psychoanalysis, past Director of the Toronto Institute of Psychoanalysis, and past Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Psychoanalysis/Revue Canadienne de Psychanalyse.
Dr Don Carveth works with Aodhán Moran to produce this podcast. Follow Aodhán on X/Twitter at @aodhanpmoran or contact at aodhanpmoran@gmail.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 27, 2026 • 18min
Corrections Two kinds of psychopathy two kinds of depression two kinds of shame.
Just as Klein and Grinberg distinguished two kinds of guilt, J. Rejd Meloy distinguished two kinds of pstychopathy,, primary and secondary; amd Sidney J. Blatt distinguished introjective and anaclitic depression; so we need to distinguish persecutory and reparative shame.
Jan 27, 2026 • 52min
Charm and Alarm
Sep 23, 2025 • 49min
Superego, Conscience and the Narcissism of our Times
Dr Carveth begins by describing the difference between the narcissistically based superego from the object-oriented conscience. He sees the former as culturally derived and the latter as biologically given. We discuss how in the clinical situation persecutory guilt, i.e., superego, may often be emphasized to defend against the vulnerabilities associated with loving and being loved. We consider the use and overuse of the concept of trauma in contrast to intrapsychic conflict, and he distinguishes between empathy and sympathy. He shares his view that the edges of our political parties are imbued with the self-certainty born from the paranoid position. Ultimately, he concludes, "I'm not afraid that analysis will disappear – people who have problems with their soul will seek out soul doctors."
Sep 23, 2025 • 50min
Shame, Guilt, and Ruminations
Dr. Carveth discusses the differences between guilt that reflects concern for the other and alternatively self-abuse that serves narcissistic purposes. The former relates to Klein's depressive/reparative stage, labeled 'conscience' by Carveth, and the latter derives from the paranoid/schizoid position, labeled 'superego'. We review varying technical approaches to each of these clinical presentations and note that the countertransference provides vital guidance in understanding the state of the analysand's mind. We close by considering how the capacity to bear guilt may be a measure of the maturation of a civilization.
Sep 6, 2025 • 29min
On Narcissism
Freud, Lacan, Mead and Christianity on narcissism.
Sep 6, 2025 • 59min
Is Psychoanalysis a path to salvation?
Discover the transformative potential of psychoanalysis in addressing neuroses and fostering personal growth. Delve into the intersection of psychoanalysis and Christian salvation, exploring faith's connection to self-awareness. The discussion navigates the intricacies of love and narcissism while highlighting authentic connections in an increasingly simulated society. Unearth the importance of dreams in realizing one's true self and the dangers of seeking wholeness without embracing brokenness. Plus, a look at how love for one's neighbor supports democratic values!
16 snips
Sep 6, 2025 • 56min
Jesus Was The First Psychoanalyst
Don Carveth, emeritus professor and longtime psychoanalyst known for writing on conscience and guilt. He recounts shifting from Jung to Freud and his reconversion to faith. Conversation centers on biblical sources as psychoanalytic insight, the crucial distinction between loving conscience and persecutory superego, and how therapists can hold moral voice without moralizing.
Sep 6, 2025 • 12min
Splitting
In this episode, Dr Carveth discusses splitting. Don goes on to discuss a problem in Kleinian theory of development, and how Klein attributes the capacity to split of infants under six months of age. That said, splitting is a complex cognitive capacity to abstract and generalize that can only arise with symbolization, sometime in the second year of life. This is not a problem for the Kleinian theory of the mind of older children, adolescents and adults, but only for its theory of infant development. Dr Carveth works with Aodhán Moran to produce this podcast. If you'd like to inquire about Aodhán's services, contact him here.
Aug 6, 2023 • 30min
New Book (Interview): Guilt: A Contemporary Introduction
In this episode, Dr Carveth is interviewed by Aodhán Moran regarding his latest book Guilt: A Contemporary Introduction. Purchase the book: https://www.routledge.com/Guilt-A-Contemporary-Introduction/Carveth/p/book/9781032382661 Dr Carveth works with Aodhán Moran to produce this podcast. Contact Aodhán for podcast production at aodhanpmoran@gmail.com. Follow Aodhán here: https://twitter.com/aodhanpmoran
Jul 30, 2023 • 35min
Psychoanalysis of Sociology and the Sociology of Psychoanalysis
In this episode, Dr Carveth questions whether or not the psychoanalytic theory of acculturation is anything more than a projected castration phantasy. Was the turn away from guilt and the superego in psychoanalysis part of the neo-liberal attack on regulation? Dr Don Carveth works with Aodhán Moran to produce this podcast. Contact Aodhán for podcast production at aodhanpmoran@gmail.com.
