The vast scope of the topics addressed by Jacques Lacan has inspired many philosophers, psychoanalysts, and social commentators to question the orthodoxy of traditional authority. In this course, Dr. Michael Gerson explores some of Lacan’s most central themes toward an application for psychotherapy.
French psychoanalyst, Jacques Lacan, is regarded as one of the most influential theorists and clinicians since Freud. Hundreds of books and articles have been written about his ideas; yet, his work is largely unknown to many American psychotherapists. Those who are familiar with Lacan typically describe his contributions as intriguing, but esoteric and enigmatic. Dr. Michael Gerson explores Lacan’s key constructs as they may be helpful to the psychotherapist. The discussion includes comparisons with object relations and ego psychology, systems theory, psycholinguistics, and neuroscience, and ends with applications to two clinical cases. This course consists of a PowerPoint video presentation by Dr. Gerson (1 hr. 15 min.), with a written transcript of the presentation for review in multiple modalities. An online multiple choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the course for 4 CE credits. May be applied to the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy if desired. Intermediate level. $49.
The participant will accrue a working knowledge of several key concepts of Lacan, examine the value of the four discourses for understanding the therapeutic relationship, and reconsider the ethical imperative for psychoanalysis and psychotherapy in general.
As a result of this learning activity, the participant will be able to:
What is Lacan – inspired psychotherapy? Jacques Lacan’s theories and concepts are considered by many as the most significant contributions to psychoanalytic thinking and praxis since Freud. Yet, they are complex and many find them difficult to apply in practice. This course examines some of Lacan’s most original constructs and applies them to two case studies. The course, Lacan – Inspired Psychotherapy, explores the centrality of language for understanding the human condition along with his four discourses: University, Master, Hysteric and Analyst. Additionally, the course examines the ethical directive of psychoanalysis as well as the mental registers of the Real, Imaginary, and the Symbolic. Interdisciplinary considerations from Neuroscience and Systems Theory are also discussed.
The Instructor is Dr. Michael J. Gerson, an experienced Psychologist, Psychoanalyst, and Marriage and Family Therapist in California. He has been training clinicians for over 40 years in his private practice, in community counseling centers, as a professor of Psychology in graduate programs, and as a presenter at professional meetings for clinicians. He is renowned for his depth of understanding of the therapeutic process and for his keen ability to translate complex concepts into terms that are clear and that can be applied to the clinician’s own work.
This course earns 4 continuing education credits. The Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
There is no commercial support or other potential conflicts of interest for this program, presentation, or instructor.
We are committed to respecting diversity in all of its forms, including age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, language, socioeconomic status, religion, and disability. We also strive to make all of our activities accessible to individuals with special needs or disabilities. Please contact the Director at mgersonphd@psychstudies.net if you ever have any questions or concerns regarding any of our programs.
Our programs and teaching methods are supported by current, empirically-based scientific literature, and are designed to provide continuing education that is relevant to psychological practice, education, and/or research, so that psychologists may maintain and expand their ability to serve the public and contribute to the profession.
All mental health professionals, educators, and researchers have a variety of educational backgrounds and needs—if you have any questions about whether this course could benefit you and/or would be appropriate for your level of training, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our courses are designed for postdoctoral-level psychologists; this course is an intermediate-level course. You may contact the Director directly at mgersonphd@psychstudies.net with any questions or concerns.
This course will be available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you will be able pace yourself in a manner that is comfortable for you.
The cost of the course is noted below; there are no additional fees. Your satisfaction is important to us. If you are not satisfied with a course, please let us know immediately—we will cancel your order and gladly offer you a full refund.
The course consists of a PowerPoint video presentation and audio narrative (1 hour, 15 minutes) by Dr. Gerson. A full written transcript of the presentation is included for review in multiple modalities. An online multiple choice test and Certificate of Completion follow the course for 4 CE credits. Intermediate level. $49.
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