Freud’s Reading Room:
The Case of the Unconscious: Why Freud Read Agatha Christie
Presented in partnership with The Freud Museum London
March 28 & 29, 2026
4 Continuing Education Credits
10am-12pm Los Angeles, 1-3pm New York, 7-9pm Paris, 6-8pm London
Every Symptom is a Clue. Every Patient is a Mystery.
In his final years, Sigmund Freud indulged in a peculiarly modernist pastime: the reading of detective novels. But for the father of psychoanalysis, the works of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers were far more than a "guilty pleasure."
Freud famously remarked that his case histories read more like detective novels than medical reports. This was no accident. Psychoanalysis and the detective novel spring from the same cultural soil, fueled by a shared obsession: the quest to piece together the hidden truth from the fragments left behind.
Key periods of Freud’s life and work were mirrored by landmarks in the history of detective fiction. As Freud and Breuer were declaring that ‘hysterics fall ill mainly through reminiscences’ in 1893, Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty were plunging to their (assumed) mutual destruction at the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland. The ‘Golden Age’ of detective fiction, which ran between 1920 and 1939, coincides with the final period of Freud’s career, from the publication of Beyond the Pleasure Principle (1920) to his final completed major work Moses and Monotheism (1939). Indeed, Freud’s birth year of 1856 sits comfortably between the two acknowledged originating moments of detective fiction, the publication of Poe’s ‘The Murders of the Rue Morgue’ (1841) and Collins’ The Moonstone (1868). While Sherlock Holmes was busy decoding the traces of the past, Freud was declaring that the 'mysteries' of the mind were equally decipherable.
Join us for a deep-dive investigation into the shared DNA of the Analyst and the Detective. In this course, we will explore the unique themes shared between psychoanalysis and the detective novel: plotting, catharsis, ‘revelation' and deferred action.
Together we will explore the affinities between the psychoanalysts’ search for the origin of the symptom, and the detective’s quest to piece together the clues left by the culprit. Both Freud and and the detective novels dig through the "archaeological" metaphors of clues to reveal monumental truths.
Are you ready to solve the mystery of the self?
Can’t make it live? No problem, all sessions are recorded!
Uncover the origins of psychoanalysis by engaging with the source.
What you will discover:
Analyze Oedipus Rex as a foundational text for both modern crime fiction and psychological theory.
Discuss the "conjectural paradigm" and how it operates in the deductive methods of Sherlock Holmes and the psychoanalytic method.
Describe the shared use of archaeological metaphors in the works of Freud and Agatha Christie.
Discuss the psychoanalytic theory of deferred action in trauma, in retaliation to Christie’s novel ‘Sleeping Murder'
Presented in partnership with The Freud Museum London.
Once we see payment, we will send your confirmation and instructions!
Who Is This For?
This course is designed for those who find as much intrigue in a slip of the tongue as they do in a locked-room mystery. It is curated for:
The Intellectual Detective: Readers of crime fiction and followers of "Whodunnits" who want to explore the ultimate mystery—the human psyche.
Literature Enthusiasts: Admirers of Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Allan Poe, and Agatha Christie who are curious about the "Holmesian" logic inherent in Freud’s clinical case studies.
Practicing Psychoanalysts and Psychotherapists: Clinicians looking to return to the "scene of the crime" the foundational texts of psychoanalysis to enrich their theoretical grounding and earn Continuing Education (CE) credits.
World and life-learners who appreciate active engagement with intellectual material and diverse perspectives.
No prior experience or knowledge of Freud or psychoanalysis is required. Just bring your curiosity and an open mind!
How Does It Work?
- A Unique Collaborative Experience: Dr. Leslee Brown and Tom DeRose (Head of Research at the Freud Museum London) have crafted a dynamic, interactive online environment that transcends the traditional lecture.
Immersive Reading: Engage in collective reading aloud to foster a deep connection with the original material.
Active Dialogue: We pause frequently for rich, insightful discussions, allowing for a nuanced understanding supported by a vibrant community of peers.
Critical Thinking: Develop your psychoanalytic thinking in a safe, supportive, and intellectually rigorous atmosphere.We will meet via Zoom
- Once registered, you will receive your log-in information and the weekly texts to read
- Everyone who would like to participate will get a section to read aloud in a safe, fun, and playful environment
Can’t make it live? No problem a video recording will be made available.
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Testimonials
“Again just blown away! Thank you so much for this offering. Such a wonderfully inspiring respite from “the world”. My sincere accolades for this presentation. So much to consider and in such an articulate form”
“Tom and Leslee have perfected the art of delivering complex reading material which I would otherwise find inscrutable in a way that is relevant, compensable and entertaining. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to encounter Freud’s work in this way, these classes have opened my eyes to his genius. I use to feel like I was cheating on my first love, Jung with Freud, but now I am more inclined to think that it is impossible to really understand one, without the other. Tom and Leslee have an unusual combination of being both highly knowledgeable and incredibly kind, which makes it a safe and enjoyable learning experience.”
“It is such a treasure to spend time putting language to the mysteries, as Freud and others did so well. If not for the depths, what’s the point? This materials is both meaningful and practical. I’m very grateful for you as a resource and for this precious community of friends. Looking forward to the next one!”
“I'm so grateful for the experience of your fascinating and wholly unique course examining Freud's Reading Room. I enjoyed it so much. I'm especially appreciative of the opportunity for a refreshingly different and stimulating opportunity to earn CEUs. I've recommended your offerings for colleagues looking for new ways to earn CEUs”
“Cannot thank you enough for the fabulous teaching series on ‘Freud: Civilization and its Discontents.’ This has been one of the most enlightening and enjoyable classes I have ever had the pleasure of attending. Many kudos to Tom as your choice of instructors. What a wizard! All so comfortable and accepting of all the attendees. You have indeed made a special virtual spot in the multiverse for those of us inclined!”
“I love these classes! I deeply appreciate how kind and welcoming Tom and Leslee both are. I found the material quite dense this time around and I don’t think I could have stuck with it, without the instructors making it so fun and accessible”
“Many, many thanks for an excellent, smart, and challenging course. You and Tom DeRose are gifted presenters and teachers. I learned a great deal, just so much material. I hadn't touched Freud's work for 25 years. I can't believe what I've been missing! The intense Freudian, theoretical learning has already helped me in my work as a Jungian analyst, even as much as I initially resisted the material. I look forward to joining the next Freud course.”
“It was the most amazing connecting experience I have had as a lonely bookworm always in search for something. I am glad I found you and Tom and the Reading Room events and all others. I am already looking forward to it!”
“Leslee. I wanted to tell you that I hosted and facilitated meetings, trainings and counseling sessions for an international consulting firm using web-based platforms from 1998-2012. I've also attended many c.e.u. trainings and post-grad certification studies before and during the Pandemic. Since I left the corporate consulting world, where anything less than perfect could cost you your job, yours and Tom's style is the best I've experienced. You engage your audience. You don't pontificate about this or that. You keep the audience focused and handle less than knowledgeable questions like mine with care. It's been a pleasure and that's why I signed up again.”
“I was so impressed by the quality of this experience. You both did a wonderful job with both presenting the material and facilitating deep-dive discussions. I enjoyed it immensely.”
Facilitators
Tom DeRose
Tom DeRose is Research Manager at the Freud Museum London. He founded the Freud Museum staff and volunteer reading group in 2015, which has been meeting weekly ever since. His research explores the philosophical aspects and cultural implications of Freud’s theories, and his most recent publications include an article comparing the work of Freud, Wagner, and Nietzsche for the Wagner Journal (July 2017). He is currently writing chapters on psychoanalysis and music for The Bloomsbury Handbook of Literature and Psychoanalysis (forthcoming).
Dr. Leslee S. Brown, PhD
Dr. Brown is President and Director of Mind Body Passport Inc. designing and leading international trips and online international courses for adult professionals, offering continuing education credits worldwide. Dr. Brown's interests are multi-faceted, engaging topics of psychology, culture, art, psychoanalysis, social dreaming, and mythology, and narrative stories as a therapeutic modality. She is passionate about weaving many disciplines and interests together and creating an atmosphere of growth and learning. She also served as The Director of International Seminars and Gastprofessor at Sigmund Freud University, Vienna. International psychology and developing “psychologists without borders” has become her focus. Dr. Brown has been in private practice for over twenty years, has been a research psychologist for The Neurologic Institute and has served on faculty at UCLA Medical School teaching psychology and rapport building techniques to medical students. Dr. Brown was also Assistant Professor at The Chicago School and Director of Centers for International Studies. Leslee lives and works part-time in Los Angeles, part-time in Paris, and the rest of the time is traveling the world.
Cost
Once we see payment, we will send your confirmation and instructions!
*Mind Body Passport is committed to offering webinars, to educate mental health professionals and others to better serve their communities. As a small business, I know finances and cash flow can be difficult. If you are in need and can not afford our seminars, please email us for financial assistance.
Mind Body Passport is approved by the California Psychological Association to provide continuing professional education for psychologists. Mind Body Passport maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
This post-licensure course will be at an appropriate instructional level for participants with a wide range of experience from beginner to advanced.
Mind Body Passport Inc. is also recognized as a CAMFT-approved Continuing Education Provider. Certificate awarded upon successful completion.
* Post-course test is required for continuing education credits if done via recording
Questions?
Contact Dr. Leslee Brown at info@mindbodypassport.com for a free one-on-one consultation.
No refunds will be issued as the recordings are available