Archives: Events

In Fundamental Questions of Psychotherapy, Jung (1966) emphasizes how the analytical encounter is a dialectical process, par excellence, in which the analyst participates as much as the client. Jung believes that the client can only gain his inner security after experiencing the security of the relationship with his analyst as a human being (ibid, 1966). The therapeutic relationship thus requires a great deal of involvement and the therapist‘s countertransference is an important and creative element in assisting this process. This involvement will inevitably lead both analyst and client to be infected by each other’s unconscious material. As Jung points out:

The psychotherapist… should clearly understand that psychic infections… are in fact the concomitants of his work, and thus fully in accord with the instinctive disposition of his own life. This realization also gives him the right attitude to his patient. The patient then means something to him personally, and this provides the most favourable basis for treatment. (Jung 1966, paras. 364-5)

This presentation will discuss the archetype of the wounded healer and will invite us to take a deeper look into one’s relationship while caring for others in the analytical setting. Marie-Louise Von Franz believes that the wounded healer is THE archetype of the Self and is the core of all genuine healing procedures. Only when the polarities of the archetype are integrated in both analyst and client true healing is possible. This presentation will draw upon literature review on the wounded healer and some clinical material to illustrate the importance for the analyst (or any other care professional) to confront and acknowledge his /her own vulnerabilities , projections and his/her relationship to power to then question his/her true motivations in chosing to be a care professional.

About the Presenter
Flavio De Grandis Flavio De Grandis is a Jungian psychotherapist working in private practice in Currumbin Valley, Queensland. He is currently a candidate in training as a Jungian Analyst with the Australia New Zealand Society of Jungian Analysts (ANZSJA). Flavio’s background is in physiotherapy and philosophy, where he worked for many years with different forms of body awareness and movement, and with a deep interest in the relationship between mind and body (psyche/soma)

Healthy and benign altruism is the ability to experience sustained and relatively conflict-free pleasure from contributing to the welfare of others. Malignant altruism involves the compulsion to prioritise other’s needs. This form of helping tends to be reinforced by others and society. A long term pattern of such selfsacrifice leads to compassion fatigue, self-estrangement and depression. In clinical practice, many individuals present with a pattern of malignant altruism including in those presenting with relationship issues and a loss of meaning and connection with their deeper selves. Malignant altruism has been linked to an inability to mourn a lack of attunement of the caregiver in early life and describes the persona that develops in defense of this loss. In this case-based presentation, I will discuss the unique analytic work required for individuals who have developed malignant altruism as a persona. The process of moving malignant altruism to benign altruism will involve a reconnection with the Self, learning how to tolerate vulnerability, conscious grieving and the development of a new way of being with others. For those with extreme malignant altruism, this work will feel catastrophic and a strong analytic container, that can eventually be introjected, will be essential for success. A weakening of the malignant attachment and a strengthening of the individual’s ability to be contained, will serve to loosen the pathological self-care system and facilitate an interpersonal and intrapsychic connection which will enable the focus on repair.

About the Presenter
Dr Beth Foley has practiced as a clinical psychologist for over 20 years. Her PhD researched the therapeutic effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapies in psychiatric and oncology settings and resulted in a number of academic papers. She has lectured at several universities on health psychology, psychoanalysis and existential issues over many years. Beth completed analytical training with the CG Jung Institute of ANZSJA in 2020 and is in private practice as a Jungian Analyst in Coffs Harbour.

Who are you?
Try answering this beyond clamouring for a few role labels and titles and we are rapidly vexed. Initially, we may sense the dread of emptiness and nothingness. The sense of this often deters us from crossing this sea.

We know more – at the heart of ourselves is something vital, something incredible beyond words can capture! We have felt this in deep, poignant moments in our lives.

This is Our Mystery which joins with The Mystery.

Ways of stepping into this mystery lie at the heart of Jungian Psychology, Process Work, and of course many other mystical and spiritual traditions.

In this one-day, experiential workshop we will explore and play with some Process Work methods to touch the essence of who we are.

Joy, bliss, rapture, ecstasy are accessible when we bring exquisite attention to our experience and allow it space to blossom.

Bring:
· Your Self
· Wear loose, comfortable clothing that supports controlled abandon
· Openness to new experiences of you!

About the Facilitator
I began my professional life in Traditional Chinese Medicine and quickly became interested in Process Oriented Psychology observing how practitioners effortlessly unfolded deep and authentic meaning and understanding from people’s experiences. I completed a psychology degree so I could practice Process Work and worked for Karuna Hospice as a counsellor for several years and then moved into private practice. I have taught Process Work in the Australian New Zealand Faculty, QUT and public workshops. Amongst many other things along the way I have helped raise three children, studied Aikido and currently do a daily Daoist Qi Gong practice which connects me to the infinite universe of experience in my body!

Individuation is ongoing for us all. Sometimes we have unrecognised complexes in our shadow. Sometimes they are recognised, but we don’t know how to integrate them. In this presentation, Dr Toula describes her own individuation journey leading to the creation of Story Image Therapy (SIT®) and its psychospiritual adjunct, SIT Shadow Work™. She will describe her stages in the process, including the recognition, embrace and ultimate integration of complexes in her adolescent shadow that caused her pain as an adult. She’s emerged more resilient than before, and now wishes to teach others what she has learned through her sojourn travels through ‘the dark night of the soul’.

When there’s an ego death, projections are pulled back. There is a unification between our thinking and feeling functions, and an alchemical process begins. Dr Toula’s individuation journey is the subject of her recently published book, The Rise of Jung in Me. In it, she outlines not just her own SIT Shadow Work™ voyage, but she also offers six case studies of young people whose lives were transformed through the practical application of SIT Shadow Work™.

About the Presenter
Dr Toula Gordillo Dr Toula is a practicing Clinical and Jungian psychologist. She’s also a former teacher, specialist Guidance Officer, Intensive Behaviour Support, and Head of Student Services in some of Queensland’s largest high schools. Triggered at age 38 by events in her employment, her unconscious hero/heroine’s journey to Self-commenced. It was not until age 48, however, when she re-experienced familiar feelings (complexes in her adolescent shadow) that her conscious journey inward began in earnest.

As her individuation progressed, she started using Story Image Therapy (SIT®) to heal her complexes. Among other methods, she began journaling. The Rise of Jung in Me is the outcome of her journaling process… what she now calls first-person Jungian action research.

In this talk, Dr Joanna Kujawa, will discuss four levels of consciousness in The Gospel of Mary Magdalene and their connection with the Mysteries of Isis in ancient Egypt which she believes are examples of spiritual individuation.

In his two essays on Analytical Psychology, Carl Jung defined individuation as a process though which we bring together all our parts. The process of individuation results in creating and embracing the ‘incompatible uniqueness’ of our’ ‘in-dividual’ self which for him was always of spiritual nature and the final point in the development of human psyche.

Jung was also immensely interested in the Gnostic Gospels and Gnostic ideas which helped him to shape his views on religion and dogma. The Gospel of Mary Magdalene was found in Egypt and, as Dr Joanna argues, have strong traces of older Egyptian rituals associated with the mysteries of Goddess Isis.

About the Presenter
Dr Joanna Kujawa is the author of The Other Goddess: Mary Magdalene and the Goddesses of Eros of Secret Knowledge, scholar, and spiritual detective. She received her BA and MA from the Pontifical Institute for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto, Canada, and her PhD from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. As an active academic for over 20 years, she uses her scholarly training to investigate topics other academics often pass over, such as: Can spirituality and sexuality be experienced as one? Who was the real Mary Magdalene? Is there a lineage of Goddesses now resurfacing in our collective experience of spirituality?

Apart from her writings for academic publications on spiritual travel, Joanna has also had her short stories and essays published through various media and in many prestigious anthologies, including Best Australian Stories, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, She Rises and Rebelle Society. She is on the editorial board of the International Journal of Goddess Studies. She is also featured in Season 4 of the acclaimed ‘Magical Egypt’ Series. Joanna is currently working on her next book.

Under The Boab Tree, is a story of abuse, loss, exile, and love. This story inspires, gives hope, and shows how through adversity we can triumph and grow. Franceska is dedicated to sharing her and her mother’s story to honour their journey of being tenacious survivors who choose to live with a loving heart. Franceska’s story is one of amazing courage. Her story offers strength and comfort at a time when the pain, exclusion, isolation, abuse, and disrespect seem insurmountable. They “held the tension of opposites” as Jung would say.

These tales- indabas – are set against the background of a time of upheaval in South Africa when the national government banned the Trade Union movement and apartheid was enforced. This stirring memoir traverses Africa and Australia following the Speer-Jordan family, who fled persecution and poverty in Varniai, Lithuania, to South Africa.

As the story unfolds, Franceska and her mother, Isabella show amazing courage and prove themselves to be brave, seemingly indestructible women. Under The Boab Tree is a tale about the souls of these two remarkable women connecting to the people they meet. It is a story which shows richness of the mother and daughter’s hearts and their spiritual, political, and humanitarian awakenings which give them the power and purpose they need to find truth and justice for themselves and others.

As reviewed by Professor Robert Bland AM – In ’Under The Boab Tree’ – Franceska creates both character and symbol. This tree and others in the story, are endowed with a spiritual quality – a strength and beauty – that reflects the spirit of Isabella and Franceska. The Baobab is strong but unique in its properties – kind of upside down, a welcoming home for birds and animals, a source of inspiration and wisdom in its constancy, and a tree with healing powers. The tree is a sanctuary, a teacher, a witness of evil and shameful deeds and the courage to resist and overcome. Franceska uses the tree as an evolving metaphor for the good life – not good in the sense of happy, but good in the sense of full.

Franceska Jordan (MA)

Franceska is an internationally recognised counsellor, speaker, author, and healer. She was awarded the Australian Medal (AM) in the Order of Australia Day Award for her work with the aged, community care, disability, and mental health sectors. Franceska has worked extensively in Africa, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and India and now resides amongst her beloved trees in Queensland, Australia. Franceska’s personal studies extend to Buddhism, Shamanic healing, non-dualism, and Jungian studies. She comes from the university of life (her own life has been fraught with difficulties), as well as extensive main stream study and practice in psychological, emotional, neuropsychological and group work. Franceska is a mother, grandmother, and keen gardener. Franceska recently retired from her life’s work in the health industry to complete her memoir, ‘Under The Boab Tree’.

SoulCollage was developed by the late Seena B. Frost, a long-time psychotherapy clinician and practitioner based in California. Over time and through her practise, she brought together influences from various sources including C.G. Jung, to create a methodology used around the world today.

Sharyn will explain the techniques of using SoulCollage with a client. This begins with the client creating a deck of cards using found images that become personal oracle cards, or a visual journal of their life that evolves with them over time. SoulCollage® cards become a visual journal to discover the inner voice, a process akin to a spiritual practice of tending the soul while expressing the self.

Sharyn Murfett

Sharyn is a qualified emotional release counsellor, facilitator, and trainer, with over 25 years’ experience in various modalities, including Sand Play, Voice Dialogue, Dream Work, Family Constellation Therapy, Interactive Drawing Therapy, and SoulCollage®. As a facilitator to these transformative changes of the ‘Self’, she has found that the inner journey unfolds in a natural progression.

In Sharyn’s experience, SoulCollage® is a particularly powerful technique in assisting others in self-discovery, awareness, and healing.