Please scroll here, or click the buttons above, to explore the various resources that are available on Primal theory and Primal Therapy.
Soon to be published: Words Won't Do It
Words Won't Do It
is Dr. Janov's magnum opus, the culmination of decades of clinical observation
and research. Here he melds current research in biology and neurology with his
clinical work to produce a definitive thesis regarding how any psychotherapy
that uses words as the predominant mode of therapy cannot make profound change.
Dr. Janov traces the route of feeling from the brainstem to the prefrontal
cortex, indicating how repression sets in to block our feelings to create a
whole host of neurotic behaviors and physical symptoms. He illustrates how
effective therapy or "cure" involves unblocking the repressive barrier and
allowing lower level imprinted feelings to rise to the frontal neocortex.
More...
Dr. Arthur Janov has written 10 books. Dr. Janov's most recent book is The Biology of Love (2000). The following books are currently available for sale through the Primal Center (e-mail us). They may also be available at your local bookstore, or through online booksellers such as amazon.com:
La Biologie de L'Amour [The Biology of Love, French Edition] (2001)
The Primal Scream (Revised Edition) (1970/1999)
Why You Get Sick - How You Get Well (1996)
Le Corps se Souvient [Why You Get Sick - How You Get Well, French Edition] (1997)
The following books by Dr. Arthur Janov are presently out of print (while we do hope to reprint them in the future). They may be available for borrowing at libraries, and for sale at used book stores, or online used book sources, such as ebay.com or amazon.com:
The Anatomy of Mental Illness (1971)
Several of Dr. Janov's books have been translated into various foreign languages. Please contact us for information on foreign-language editions not listed here.
In-Print Books
The following books are currently available for sale through the Primal Center. They may also be available at your local bookstore, or through online booksellers:
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The Biology of Love (2000) Published by Prometheus Books
Drawing on years of experience with thousands of patients and a growing body of evidence in neurophysiology, human biology and psychology, Dr. Janov shows how love or the lack of it affects not only our sense of psychological well-being but our physical health and our personalities as well. "Absolutely phenomenal" - David Rubin, Talk Radio Network. To order, please click here. |
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La Biologie de L'Amour (2001) Published by Editions du Rocher
French translation of The Biology of Love. To order, please click here. |
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The Primal Scream (Revised Edition) (1970/1999) Published by G. P. Putnam
An updated edition of the groundbreaking, international bestseller. To order, please click here. Please click here for information on the 1996 audiotape version of The Primal Scream. |
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Why You Get Sick - How You Get Well (1996) Published by Dove Books
The culmination of over a decade of research and writing, Why You Get Sick - How You Get Well reveals the hidden forces of the unconscious that conspire against the human system, making us sick emotionally and physically. Please click here for information on the audiotape version of Why You Get Sick - How You Get Well. |
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"Because Dr. Janov sees us as creatures of unity – physical and mental, physiological and psychological, biographical and biological – he knows us as we really are; that our pain is because we have been split and that our salvation must come from being re-connected. To this end, he has written more than a book, Dr. Janov has written a manual of healing." — J. M. |
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Le Corps se Souvient (1997) Published by Editions du Rocher
The French translation of Why You Get Sick - How You Get Well. To order, please click here. |
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The New Primal Scream (1991) Published by Dearborn Press
A study of the nature and mechanisms of repression, featuring new case histories, observations, and clinical research. To order, please click here. |
Ordering In-Print Books through the Primal Center
Please e-mail us, or call or write us for information about ordering in-print books. Our address is:
Dr. Arthur Janov's Primal Center
209 Ashland Ave.
Venice, CA 90291 USA
Our telephone number is: (310) 392-2003.
Our fax number is: (310) 392-8554
Out-of-Print Books
The following books by Dr. Arthur Janov are currently out-of-print:
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Imprints (1986) Published by T. Y. Crowell
Imprints was the result of over twenty years of research on the birth and other early traumas which are engraved into individuals' physiologic and neurologic systems. Such birth imprints can later shape personality and physiology.
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The Feeling Child (1973) Published by Simon & Schuster
In this book Dr. Arthur Janov draws upon his vast experience to suggest ways to bring up an emotionally healthy child, emphasizing the common failures most parents make in not recognizing the real needs of their children. He presents evidence that neurosis may begin well before most people have previously thought - in some cases while the child is still in its mother's body. |
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The Primal Revolution (1972) Published by Simon & Schuster
In this book Dr. Arthur Janov explores - through the feelings, actions, and words of his patients - the means through which Primal Therapy solves neurotic problems faster and more effectively than other therapies. Dr. Janov describes how through Primal Therapy a person can quickly gain awareness of her real feelings and her true needs. He also discusses the social implications of neurosis and how neurotic societies produce neurotic individuals. |
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The Primal Scream (1970) Published by G. P. Putnam
The book that revolutionized the world of psychotherapy, and changed the lives of people everywhere. It was the beginning of three decades of research that has produced the most advanced, scientific therapy available. The Primal Scream sold more than a million copies and has been translated into dozen different languages. A revised edition of The Primal Scream is presently in print. Please click here for more information. |
Soon to be Published: Words Won't Do It
Words Won't Do It is Dr. Janov's magnum opus, the culmination of decades
of clinical observation and research. Here he melds current research in biology
and neurology with his clinical work to produce a definitive thesis regarding
how any psychotherapy that uses words as the predominant mode of therapy cannot
make profound change. Dr. Janov traces the route of feeling from the brainstem
to the prefrontal cortex, indicating how repression sets in to block our
feelings to create a whole host of neurotic behaviors and physical symptoms. He
illustrates how effective therapy or "cure" involves unblocking the repressive
barrier and allowing lower level imprinted feelings to rise to the frontal
neocortex.
What he is attempting here is for the first time a true science of
psychotherapy, indicating what changes in the physiology and brain must take
place in order for effective treatment to occur. It is the first therapy to take
vital sign readings before and after each session, and relate those readings to
what the patient has been or is undergoing in therapy. His 4 different brain
research studies have shed light on brain function and psychological states. He
believes that it is important to know how repression works in the system, and to
the end has measured a serotonin equivalent in a double blind study. The results
indicate that inhibitory chemicals normalize after one year of primal therapy.
His concepts of overload and shutdown are essential for an understanding of the
human condition. Dr. Janov discusses Cognitive, Behavior and Insight therapies
at length indicating how and where they fail, and why they cannot cure any
psychologic diseases. He shows that correcting attitudes, beliefs and ideas in
cognitive-insight approaches is a vain exercise due to the imprint of early
trauma which has been engraved into the neurophysiologic system, affecting all
of our later behavior. To neglect the imprint means to neglect the possibility
of cure. He points out that any ahistoric therapy that ignores the past is bound
to fail, whether acupuncture, guided imagery, decision therapy, conditioning
therapy or the cognitive approach. All approaches can help but that is a far cry
from cure. Cure must be tied to generating sources. If we neglect those sources
we cannot be effective.
Dr. Janov describes what brain must be involved in psychotherapy, pointing out
that all the helpful, ego-here-and-now approaches neglect those deep lying brain
systems in favor of dealing with the neocortex. This makes their therapy "skin
deep." He indicates how early love sculpts the brain and that very early trauma
can alter the structure of the brain. As adults we are therefore not dealing
with a full deck, literally, in the sense that pre-birth and birth trauma
diminish nerve cells in the controlling, integrating prefrontal cortex. He
therefore offers a new concept of the impulse neuroses and how to treat them.
Dr. Janov diagrams the brain and shows how and why reliving old traumas is
essential for therapeutic improvement. He notes that because heavy valence pain
is sealed into the system by the stress hormones (catecholamines), any therapy
must arrive at an equally emotional level in order to unhinge the traumas from
their hidden lair. He states that any proper psychotherapy must test the
patient's brain and physiology for changes. Cognitive groups lead a
self-fulfilling prophecy: patients have psychological problems, we treat only
the psychological neocortex, and then test the patient afterward in terms of
ideas and attitudes to see if they have made progress. What the patient
"thinks," therefore becomes paramount. He can think he has made progress but his
brain and body may betray him. If people are happy enough in this kind of
therapy so be it; but people should know that there are deeper more efficient
ways that deal with deep causes, that this kind of therapy is more than "help,"
it is long lasting; the only long lasting therapy extant.
Throughout the book are simple cartoon drawings of how words cannot do it, and how feelings can.
He
discusses recovered memory syndrome and where those early traumas are lodged in
the brain, how this must connect to the prefrontal cortex for final resolution.
Connection is the sine qua non of any proper therapy; that means lower level
imprints must rise in hierarchal order to the neocortex, lowering the pain level
and allowing the body and brain to normalize. Brain research indicates that this
is happening. What Dr. Janov emphasizes is that neurosis is an organic state not
a mental aberration.
He insists that we can only heal where we are wounded. Wounds from childhood and
before are kept low in the brain and dictate behavior later on. He shows how
neurosis affects the brain and how "cure" normalizes it; for example, a better
balance between right and left hemispheres. The brain is less speedy and has a
lower amplitude, meaning less nerve cells (neurons) are recruited in the service
of repression. It is, in short, a different more efficient brain. This is by no
means a text in neurology; rather it is a book about psychology and neurosis and
how our history dictates our present. All proper therapies, medical and
psychological must be historic in focus.
From his book:
I want to show here
how profound personality change is not possible on the level of words, or even
on the level of emotions - such as crying and screaming - as long as deep levels
of the brain are not involved and as long as the connections are not made
between deep brain memories and the higher cortex.
Conventional psychotherapy has been imbued with the belief that you get well in
your mind - in your thinking, logical, rational, prefrontal cortex - in brief,
that you can think your way to health.
The logical corollary is that you get sick in your mind. You can think your way
to sickness, therefore, it is all in your mind. So if you change your mind you
change your state of health. Thus what we think about our health is what counts.
We may think we are getting well, but that is not the same as being well. We can
think we are well but if we have a cancer it doesn't matter what we think. If we
can get well by what we think, are we sick if we think we are sick? Or are we
just sick in the mind? If we are only sick in the mind can we only then get well
in the mind?
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Advance Praise for Words Won't Do It from Dr. David A. Goodman, Director of the Newport Neuroscience Center, San Marcos, California, USA:
When I am in New York City, I take a taxicab. The driver pushes
down the flag and off we go. When we arrive at the destination, I pay him for
the journey in which I came along for the ride. Now switch to a psychotherapist.
You enter her office. She flips down the flag on the meter and you talk. You
talk and you talk. Her bill arrives later in the month. |
Please e-mail us for more information about Words Won't Do It.
Dr. Janov is presently working on three other books. Their tentative titles are:
Sex and the Subconscious
Grand Delusions
Goodbye Depression, Hello Life.
Please e-mail us for more information about these books.
This section describes the audio and video resources that are available through the Primal Center.
We have audio tape versions of two books by Dr. Arthur Janov: The Primal Scream, and Why You Get Sick - How You Get Well. Each audio version runs approximately 3 hours, on 2 cassettes for each. They are both read by Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., and were produced by Dove Audio in 1996. Here are the prices, which include shipping and handling:
Please note: As of March 2005, we have a special promotion. The price of each tape has been reduced by $5.95! The prices in the table below reflect this reduction.
| destination is within the United States | destination is outside the U.S., excluding Pacific Rim countries | destination is in a Pacific Rim country | |
| The Primal Scream | $17.00 | $22.00 | $24.00 |
| Why You Get Sick - How You Get Well | $17.00 | $22.00 | $24.00 |
| Both titles | $32.00 | $42.00 | $46.00 |
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Please specify what you'd like to order, and send a check to: |
Dr. Arthur Janov's Primal Center 209 Ashland Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90405 |
| If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail us. | |
NEW as of December 2004:
Series 3 - Six (6) videos and DVDs!
Please scroll down or click here for information.
The Primal Center has been creating over the years a whole library of in-house tapes featuring Dr. Arthur Janov teaching his students. Seminars, "roundtables", and lectures are also conducted by Dr. France D. Janov and other members of the staff.
This is a unique way to learn more about Primal Therapy, the theory behind it, and practical applications. You will hear patients talk candidly about their own experience. It is a rare opportunity to hear and see Dr. A. Janov among his patients and staff and get his direct input on various subjects.
Most of our video tapes are about one and a half hours long. They are grouped into three series, with topics as follows:
SERIES 1
1. Caring and Kindness in Primal Therapy
2. Relationships
3. When Birth Begins
4. Primal Therapy: An Extraordinary Tool
5. Sexuality
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Series 1 Price: $190 (add $18 shipping and handling per series in US; $32 outside US).
Individual Tapes: $39 (add $6.00 shipping and handling per tape in US;
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SERIES 2
This series of tapes was recorded during orientation classes held at the Primal Center in 1996-1997. The presentations feature France D. Janov, M.A. (now Psy.D.) and staff members with participation of students and patients currently in Primal Therapy. The series is a lively exploration into the various implications of Primal therapy and how it works in different areas of life.
1. What is Primal Therapy?
2. Birth Needs: Primal Pain and Repression
3. The Chain of Pain: The Necessity of Repression and Repression at Work
4. Various Kinds of Act-Outs (with Case Histories)
5. Act-Out and Act-Out Patterns Based on Birth Imprint
6. Act-Outs in Therapy and in Life
7. The Role of Insights in Therapy
8. Depression, Manic-Depression, and Anxiety
9. What is "Wellness"?
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Series 2 Price: $345 (add $30 shipping and handling per series in US; $50
outside US) BOTH SERIES 1 and 2: $530 (add $45 shipping and handling for both series in US; $75 outside U.S, except for Pacific Rim countries (Australia and New Zealand), which are $90) |
NEW SERIES — INTRODUCTORY PRICES
SERIES 3 6 NEW Videos and DVDs
This series is a whole comprehensive look at Primal Therapy in various aspects, including theory and clinical with participation from the audience.
1.
HOW TO MAKE PRIMAL THERAPY WORK IN YOUR LIFE (2 videos or DVDs; times are
approximately 1:31 for the first, and 0:50 the second)
Lecture by Dr. France D. Janov with live audience
In this two-part lecture, Dr. France Janov explores the basics of Primal
Therapy, how pain is laid down in our brain and registered in our
psychophysiology. How to undo the effect of that pain by going back to the
origin of the feelings. We explain how we can change our lives and free
ourselves from neurosis.
In part one, we explore Primal Therapy in relation to neurology. How change in
therapy are accompanied by changes in the nervous system. We explain how to make
the therapy work for us.
We also explore the role of insights, what are act-outs and what function they
serve.
In part two, the discussion focuses on Primal Therapy as a tool to access our
feelings. The role of reliving in cure and how to identify our feelings. The
effect of Primal Therapy in our relationship with our parents.
2. ON ACCESS (1:09)
Lecture by Dr. France Janov with live audience
In response to questions from the audience, we explore real love versus unreal
love, childhood need and symbolization into adult relationships.
Definition of access in a Primal sense, and how to gain access to ourselves.
What is repression on a neurological level.
Exploration of 3 cases: patient in overload, patient in pain and patient very
repressed. These are clinical assessments of how to help them.
The importance of feeling on all levels of consciousness and getting to
childhood need.
First line pain and abreaction.
3. ON INSIGHTS (1:16)
Lecture by Dr. France Janov with live audience
What are insights and what part do they play in therapy and in our life.
How to use and apply them to therapy and our life.
Audience participation with personal examples.
4. ON OVERLOAD (1:18)
Lecture by Dr. France Janov with live audience
Primal definition of overload.
Exploration of the causes of overload on the 3 levels of consciousness.
What are the signs and consequences of overload in our life.
We explore how to address overload in our life and in therapy. This is more of a
clinical discussion of overload and "mélange" as well as overload and
hopelessness.
The conclusion looks at other therapies and how they deal with overload.
5. ON WELLNESS (1:04)
Lecture by Dr. France Janov with live audience
In this lecture, we explore the Primal definition of wellness and its criteria.
We go back to the symptoms and problems that may exist before therapy and the
active part we can take in the process of getting better in all the areas of our
life.
The importance of going back to our childhood need.
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INTRODUCTORY PRICES FOR SERIES 3
Add for shipping in the US and Canada: $20. Total: $165. Add for shipping to Europe: $30. Total: $175. Shipping to Pacific Rim countries: Contact us.
Complete Series 3 on VHS video: $125 (regular price $150) Add for shipping in the US and Canada: $25. Total: $150. Add for shipping to Europe: $35. Total: $160. Shipping to Pacific Rim countries: Contact us.
Single DVD from Series 3: $29 (regular price $35) Add for shipping in the US and Canada: $5. Total: $34. Add for shipping to Europe: $8. Total: $37. Shipping to Pacific Rim countries: Contact us.
Single VHS video from Series 3: $25 (regular price $30) Add for shipping in the US and Canada: $6. Total: $31. Add for shipping to Europe: $9. Total: $34.
Shipping to Pacific Rim countries:
Contact us. |
PLEASE ALLOW 2-3 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY FOR U.S., 3-4 WEEKS FOR FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
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Please specify what you'd like to order, and send a check to: |
Dr. Arthur Janov's Primal Center 209 Ashland Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90405 |
More tapes from recent lectures and seminars at Dr. Janov's Primal Center will regularly become available; they will be announced on this site. Please feel free to e-mail or otherwise contact us for more information.
| Any questions? Please click here to e-mail us. |
| © 2002-2005 Dr. Arthur Janov's Primal Center |
