Film & Psychoanalysis | Harold and Maude (Hybrid)

On behalf of The Jung Center, in collaboration with the Houston Psychoanalytic Society and your instructor Adam Brownstein, we’re delighted to present Film and Psychoanalysis: Harold and Maude. Feel free to invite friends—advance registration is strongly encouraged!

This program will take place: Friday, 04/25

• Doors open and reception 6pm
• Free In-Person Screening begins at 6:15pm
• Break 7:45 to 8pm 
• Presentation and Zoom room opens from 8:00 to 9:00 PM CT 
• Registration closes at 8:15pm

Wine, popcorn, and cookies will be available during the reception, included as part of the program.  Note due to copyright restrictions, the film screening is free but available in person only and will not be included in the recording.

About the Film -- The 1971 black comedy Harold and Maude, directed by Hal Ashby and written by Colin Higgins, has secured its place as one of Hollywood's quintessential cult classics, celebrated for its eccentric charm and poignant exploration of life, death, and connection. Initially met with mixed reviews and modest box office success, the film gained a devoted following over the decades, praised for its offbeat humor, unique characters, and timeless message.

The story follows the unlikely relationship between Harold, a morbid, death-obsessed young man, and Maude, a free-spirited septuagenarian who approaches life with boundless curiosity and joy. Together, they navigate themes of mortality, purpose, and liberation from societal norms. The film’s enduring appeal lies in its unconventional narrative, iconic Cat Stevens soundtrack, and its celebration of individuality, human resilience, and the transformative power of relationships.

From a psychoanalytic perspective, Harold and Maude can be understood as an allegory of therapeutic change and healing. Harold’s journey mirrors the intrapsychic work of moving beyond rigid defenses and despair, toward vitality and authentic engagement with life. Maude’s presence as a symbolic “good object,” embodying acceptance and hope, facilitates Harold's capacity for growth and change. Their bond serves as a metaphor for the reparative power of connection and the way new relational experiences can reshape internalized patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating.

Adam Brownstein, M.Ed.  LPC is a psychotherapist currently in private practice in Houston, TX. He trained in the Child Trauma Program at Depelchin Children’s Center and completed additional training in trauma-informed therapy through the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD). Adam is an Advanced Candidate and instructor at the Houston Center for Psychoanalytic Studies. He is a frequent lecturer at the Houston Jung Center. He sees adolescents and adults in his private practice for individual and family therapy.

This program is being offered both IN-PERSON and ONLINE. Please select how you will attend when registering. Recordings will be distributed to registered participants only, and will not be available for individual purchase.

All times are CT. Please contact onlinelearning@junghouston.org with any questions.

Please register early. Programs with four or fewer participants are subject to cancellation, 48 hours prior to their start.

*The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (TBHEC) has stopped pre-certifying ANY Continuing Education or Professional Development for mental health providers. The Jung Center cannot guarantee that the programs we provide will qualify for continuing education or Professional Development, nor can any other agency. The Jung Center uses high educational standards when selecting to designate events as "potentially appropriate for CEs", and in evaluating the outcomes of our educational services, and we believe them to meet the requirements of state licensing bodies. To find out more about the TBHEC changes to Continuing Education and Professional Development, click here: https://junghouston.app.neoncrm.com/np/viewDocument?orgId=junghouston&id=40288ab689aaa0f10189ada9005e0073