Some Key Contributions of C. G. Jung to the Integration of Spiritually Transformative Experiences in Psychotherapy

Abstract:

We will explore some of the Spiritually Transformative Experiences that Jung personally had after his break from Sigmund Freud in 1913 and after his heart attack in 1944. We will discuss key concepts and psychotherapeutic attitudes, which Jung drew from his personal depth experiences and from working with his patients:
– The powerful reality of the “Collective Unconscious” and of “Archetypes”
– The value of “Active Imagination” to bring unconscious material into consciousness, and to integrate or balance opposing forces
– The humbling understanding that we all have “Complexes”
– That we all “Project” whatever we don’t know about ourselves onto others – both light and dark “Shadows”
– That our “Persona” is not who we really are, and that the “Self” is a psychological reality in the here and now but also transcends time and space
We will examine the dynamic use of these psychotherapeutic concepts using clinical examples from working with dreams, active imagination, artwork, transference, and an awareness of counter-transference, i.e. genuine human presence and respect.

Presenter Bio

Carl Culberson is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, an MFT, a Jungian Analyst, a member of the C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco and a member of the International Association for Analytical Psychology. He received his BA in Philosophy from Occidental College with honors in 1962, his Master of Divinity from SFTS in 1966, was an ecumenical chaplain at UNC, Chapel Hill from 1967 to 1972, on the staff of Herrick Hospital Chaplaincy and Counseling Service in Berkeley from 1972 to 1984, and received his doctorate in clinical psychology from CSPP–SF in 1977.

His dissertation focused on holistically understanding joy in relationship to psychotherapy. He and Mary raised two wonderful daughters in Palo Alto for twenty years. In addition to maintaining a private practice there, he was “Mr. Mom” for the first two years of Mary’s doctoral classes. In 1997 they moved into the country near Sebastopol. He now practices in Santa Rosa and San Francisco.
Carl has experienced several powerful STEs in his 73 years – the impact and memory of which still frequently illuminate a sacred dimension of meaning, mystery and joy in everyday events and relationships. He also says his 48 year marriage with Mary “is definitely a STE.”