Complexities and paradoxes in our organizational life

Group process experience for analytic candidates is a neglected dimension of training, and receives little attention in the analytic literature. Jung observed group dynamics, but he never studied them closely, attending instead to the psychology of the individual. Unconscious currents in small groups have been studied by others, most notably by Wilfred Bion, and there are similarities between his theories of the group unconscious and Jung's theories of complexes. Experiential and didactic seminars in group process were added to the analytic curriculum at the C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco in the early 1990s, leading to changes in the group dynamic of trainees and analysts alike. A discussion of the theories of Bion and Jung are followed by a report on our experiences of facilitating group process for analytic candidates. We give quotes from candidates and analyst members to illustrate the group process and its effects. The need for further study to develop a uniquely Jungian perspective on the unconscious structure and dynamics of the group is suggested.

Section: Group Anxiety and Basic Assumption Defencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Group process in Jungian analytic training and institute life

Kirsch¹,

Spradlin²

2006

“…There are external authorities within an analytic attitude as well as in an ethical attitude. Analysts hold onto the legacy passed down from their analysts via their analysts’ analysts, and so on up the chain of mentors, treating their patients as they were treated, rather than struggling with what to say or do, which would be using an ethical attitude in acknowledging differences (Allphin 1999; Eisold 1997).…”

Section: Ethical Dilemmasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An ethical attitude, however, is necessary because rules and regulations do not always adequately cover dilemmas that may occur in the analytic relationship, dilemmas that need to be considered and struggled with that often have no clear 'right' answer. Purely ethical decisions are based on a clear outer authority-laws, regulations, and codes of ethics-or a subtle outer authority, such as opinions of mentors and the mores of the analyst's professional organization[s] (Allphin 1999). These are differentiated from an ethical attitude, which involves the analyst's inner authority.…”

Section: Definition Of An Ethical Attitudementioning

confidence: 99%

An ethical attitude in the analytic relationship

Allphin

2005

Self Cite

An ethical attitude in the analytic process is essential. This paper presents a brief overview of theories of moral development and the origins of an ethical attitude. Moral development and integrity are discussed as basic aspects of an ethical attitude. An analytic attitude encompasses an ethical attitude. Differences between these attitudes are noted. Ethical dilemmas are presented in the context of the complexities involved in maintaining an ethical attitude in relation to the proscriptions of legal and ethical codes in the profession. An ethical attitude involves struggling with an outer authority as well as inner authority.

“…It is therefore no surprise that the label attached to this school takes on a particularly charged meaning. Soon, often against our better knowledge, we are willing to claim its superiority over all others, without much outcome data for a comparison (Allphin 1999).…”

Section: Theory As Concealmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

A cacophony of theories: contributions towards a story‐based understanding of analytic treatments

Ekstrom¹

2002

The article addresses problems associated with analytic formulations from the founders of psychoanalysis, including C. G. Jung. Although no longer able to claim a scientific basis for these theoretical constructs, analytic practitioners still use this outdated terminology when presenting their work with patients. By now there is a cacophony of theories often concealing rather than explaining. Denial of loneliness, notions of special knowledge, and idealization of the 'The Founder' seem to perpetuate formulations which no longer carry a clear meaning. The article explores three proposals for describing analytic treatments based on the works of the psychoanalyst Roy Schafer and the cognitive psychologist Roger Schank: analytic attitudes, therapeutic narratives and specific treatment perspectives. The first addresses findings from psychotherapy research about the centrality of analytic attitudes. The second applies the findings about story-based memory and narratives to therapy relationships, and the third takes note of the fact that analytic attention often is more complex than can be described with terms such as transference/countertransference.