eiseEducation

Pierre Janet was one of the foundational thinkers in the psychological understanding of trauma, dissociation, and the integration of personality. His clinical observations and theoretical contributions continue to have considerable relevance for contemporary psychotherapy, particularly in the treatment of trauma-related and dissociative disorders.

This three-webinar series traces the development of Janet’s psychology from his early studies of psychological automatism, hysteria, traumatic memories, and dissociation, through his formulation of psychasthenia, to his broader psychology of action and integrative approach to psychotherapy.

Particular attention will be given to the contemporary clinical relevance of Janet’s ideas: understanding how traumatic experiences may remain psychologically unassimilated, assessing patients’ capacities for integration and adaptive action, and tailoring treatment to the psychological resources available to the individual.

Series Learning Objectives

By the end of the three-webinar series, participants will be able to:

• Describe the development of Janet’s thought from psychological automatism and hysteria to the psychology of action and psychotherapy.
• Explain key concepts including psychological synthesis, retraction of the field of consciousness, fixed ideas, traumatic memories, and dissociation.
• Understand different forms of psychological disorganization within Janet’s model of psychopathology.
• Explain psychological force, psychological tension, and the hierarchy of action tendencies in relation to mental health and psychopathology.
• Recognize how traumatic experiences may remain unassimilated and manifest through dissociative symptoms, repetitive actions, and incomplete defensive responses.
• Apply Janet’s clinical framework to the assessment and treatment of trauma-related and dissociative disorders.
• Relate Janet’s concepts of mental economy, mental liquidation, realization, and psychological acquisition to contemporary phase-oriented treatment.