Introduction to the article by Claudine Vacheret

Claudine Vacheret is a psychoanalyst (SPP), professor emeritus at the University of Lyon 2, member of the SFPPG (Society of Group Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy). She is particularly interested in the use of mediation in clinical group psychoanalytic practice. In this context she has developed and theorized photolanguage.

With this article she offers us a clear presentation of an essential part of a complex theory.

This article is in two parts. The first is a general introduction to group analysis, starting with a brief history that contextualizes René Kaës’ proposal of the concept of the Group Psychic Apparatus (APG/GPA). The second part develops this concept.

In the introduction, Claudine Vacheret situates psychoanalysis among the human sciences, their questions concerning the subject, the group and the collective. In a very succinct way, she recalls the history of the development of the psychoanalytical approach to groups (Great Britain, Argentina, France), in order to underline the originality of René Kaës’ contribution with the concept of the Group Psychic Apparatus.  A parallel is thus proposed, for psychoanalysis, with the Freudian concept of (individual) Psychic Apparatus, opening a passage between internal (intrapsychic) group and external (social) group.

I would like to stress that this new concept, in the seventies, in France, founded a theory to support a conception of psychoanalysis, which associates, in practice, individual analysis and group analysis. This conception is found at the basis of current French training courses in group psychoanalysis. That is to say that the individual and the group will henceforth be considered as two levels of analysis, in any clinical situation (individual, family, group, institutional). How is the unconscious of the individual history linked to the unconscious levels and processes at work in the groups to which we belong, in the institutions and, finally, in society and culture? René Kaës’ work invites us to this vast field of research.

The second part is devoted to the presentation of the concept of Group Psychic Apparatus, starting from the Freudian bases, the group psychic organizers, which René Kaës completed by the consideration of socio-cultural organizers. Let us recall here that the Freudian models Ego/Id/Super-ego and Unconscious/Pre-conscious/Conscious, are already dynamic group forms, animated by the conflicts between the psychic instances.

We will particularly appreciate Claudine Vacheret’s development of the three types of “positions” in René Kaës’ contribution: ideological, utopian and mythopoetic. Indeed, this reflection opens psychoanalytical thought to current societal issues.

Edith Lecourt
lecourt-fac@orange.fr