7 Types of Truth and Their Clinical Relevance

On May 11, 2024, we gathered to explore the 7 Types of Truth with Salman Akhtar! This enlightening event highlighted renowned psychologist Salman Akhtar as he delved into the complexities of truth at the Travis Auditorium located at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA, USA.

In the spirit of post-modern relativism but without utter disloyalty to objectivity, this presentation highlighted seven types of truth and demonstrated their clinical significance.

These include:

(1) Physical truth
(2) Historical truth
(3) Narrative truth
(4) Poetic truth
(5) Manufactured truth
(6) Judicial truth
(7) Existential truth

Clinical vignettes were provided to underscore the technical importance of these proposals.

Headliner: Salman Akhtar

Salman Akhtar, MD, is an internationally known psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, writer, and poet based in the United States. He has published 108 authored or edited books and given lectures and workshops in over 40 countries. Dr.Akhtar has served on the editorial boards of the three most important journals of our field, namely JAPA, IJP, and PQ. His books have been translated in many languages and he has received numerous professional honors, including the highly prestigious Sigourney Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychoanalysis. Recently a 10-volume set of his Selected Papers was released at a festive ceremony at the Freud House & Museum in London. Dr. Akhtar has published 18 collections of poetry and serves as a Scholar-in-Residence at the InterAct Theater Company in Philadelphia

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: By the end of this CPA-OPD-approved event, participants will be able to:

  1. Enumerate seven types of truth

  2. Discuss their impact on the process of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis

  3. Distinguish between the clinically important historical and narrative truths

  4. Utilize the resulting enhancement of empathy for therapeutic purposes.

Rose City Center is approved by the California Psychological Association to provide continuing professional education for psychologists. Rose City Center maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
CPA OPD Provider Code: ROS005