Description
Personality Disorders from a Psychoanalytic Perspective
This CE course on personality disorders from a psychoanalytic perspective may be applied to our Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy if desired and would count as a core course in the program. In the course, Dr. Michael J. Gerson considers personality disorders described in the atheoretical compendium, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), in terms of descriptive, structural, defensive, and object-relational conditions through the lenses of a variety of psychoanalytic theories.
Personality formation refers to the process whereby an individual develops stable and enduring patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. These patterns are to a large degree adaptations, both to the internal demands of instinctual drives and tensions and to the external demands for conformity and socialization. Character formation represents a resolution of these conflicts and can, therefore, be seen as a person’s best effort at “staying sane.” The extent to which these traits are normal or pathological is usually considered a matter of flexibility. This distinction, based on degree of flexibility, is largely the criterion used in the DSM to differentiate personality traits from personality disorders.
Personality Disorders from a Psychoanalytic Perspective discusses each of the three clusters described by the DSM-5, beginning with Cluster A (the odd and eccentric paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personalities), followed by Cluster B (the dramatic, emotional, and erratic borderline, narcissistic, histrionic, and antisocial personalities), and ending with Cluster C (the anxious and fearful dependent, avoidant, and obsessive-compulsive personalities). The DSM-III-R’s passive-aggressive personality disorder (formerly included in Cluster C) is considered as well.
Instructor for Personality Disorders from a Psychoanalytic Perspective
The Instructor is Dr. Michael J. Gerson, an experienced Psychologist and Psychoanalyst in California. He has been training clinicians for over 40 years, both in his private practice, in community counseling centers, and as a psychology professor in graduate programs. 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. As a former member of a task force involved in creating the DSM-5, he strives to promote a deep clinical understanding of the patient for making responsible diagnoses.
CE Credits for Personality Disorders from a Psychoanalytic Perspective
This course earns 8 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.
Conflicts of Interest or Commercial Support
There is no commercial support or other potential conflicts of interest for this program, presentation, or instructor.
Commitment to Diversity and Accessibility
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.
Sources and Relevance
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.
Target Audience for Personality Disorders from a Psychoanalytic Perspective
Our courses are designed for postdoctoral-level psychologists; this course is an intermediate-level course. 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. You may contact the Director directly at mgersonphd@psychstudies.net with any questions or concerns.
Course Schedule
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.
Cost and Refund/Cancellation Policy
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.
Course Format Summary for Personality Disorders from a Psychoanalytic Perspective
The course includes an online written manuscript and accompanying audio file, for optional review in multiple modalities. An online multiple choice test and Certificate of Completion follow completion of the course for 8 CE credits. Intermediate level. A brief video provides opening remarks by Dr. Gerson. This course may be applied to the Certificate of Advanced Study in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy if desired. $119.
