Group Psychotherapy and Symbol Formation

Willeford, William

doi:10.1111/j.1465-5922.1967.00137.x

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…As with other authors, he describes group members in terms of archetypes. Willeford (1967) reported on his group work in a Jungian-orientated psychiatric clinic. He interpreted the group’s discussions in the same way as a dream and felt that symbols were formed by the group, which he then shared and interpreted.…”

Section: Post Jungianmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Can analytical psychology be applied to the therapeutic community?

Howe¹

2020

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the theoretical potential of applying Jungian/analytical psychology concepts to a contemporary therapeutic community (TC) within the national health service. Design/methodology/approach A literature review concerning a Jungian understanding of group psychotherapy and TCs was undertaken. A summary and discussion of a detailed written account of a previous Jungian TC was then conducted. A comparison between a modern-day TC and Jungian approaches was then conducted with an ending discussion on the feasibility of incorporating Jungian ideas into modern work. Findings While Jung is thought to have a wholly negative view of groups and group psychotherapy, this was not found in the case. Furthermore, post-Jungian authors have attempted to use ideas from analytical psychology in their group work. While there are some aspects that could be implemented with relative ease in the modern TC, a complete shift into this different way of working would be a challenge and its current evidence base would not support this. Originality/value To the best of author’s knowledge, there are no other academic papers that have considered this subject.

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Section: Post Jungianmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of note: – There is a group archetype that may have familial overtones (Whitmont, 1964). – Group discussions can be interpreted as a myth or dream (Willeford, 1967; Zinkin, 1989). – Group members can take on archetypal roles (Hobson, 1964; Whitmont, 1964; Zinkin, 1989).…”

Section: Post Jungianmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can analytical psychology be applied to the therapeutic community?

Howe¹

2020

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“…The other paper is by William Willeford (1967), who was at the time of writing it responsible for group psychotherapy at the Zurichberg Clinic, a residential psychiatric facility that had been started with a Jungian orientation. In language that is still fresh, Willeford explicates the ‘integrating process’ (Hobson 1959) of the group as having two aspects.…”

Section: Shapementioning

confidence: 99%

Psychotherapy in the aesthetic attitude

Beebe¹

2010

J Analytical Psychology

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Drawing upon the writings of Jungian analyst Joseph Henderson on unconscious attitudes toward culture that patients and analysts may bring to therapy, the author defines the aesthetic attitude as one of the basic ways that cultural experience is instinctively accessed and processed so that it can become part of an individual's self experience. In analytic treatment, the aesthetic attitude emerges as part of what Jung called the transcendent function to create new symbolic possibilities for the growth of consciousness. It can provide creative opportunities for new adaptation where individuation has become stuck in unconscious complexes, both personal and cultural. In contrast to formulations that have compared depth psychotherapy to religious ritual, philosophic discourse, and renewal of socialization, this paper focuses upon the considerations of beauty that make psychotherapy also an art. In psychotherapeutic work, the aesthetic attitude confronts both analyst and patient with the problem of taste, affects how the treatment is shaped and 'framed', and can grant a dimension of grace to the analyst's mirroring of the struggles that attend the patient's effort to be a more smoothly functioning human being. The patient may learn to extend the same grace to the analyst's fumbling attempts to be helpful. The author suggests that the aesthetic attitude is thus a help in the resolution of both countertransference and transference en route to psychological healing.

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“…An approach to image formation as a symbolic transformative process is based on Jung's (1976) ideas of &dquo;active imagination&dquo; and &dquo;symbol amplification.&dquo; Willeford (1967) lyrically transferred some of Jung's ideas to a group context. Following an earlier lead by Hobson (1959), Willeford considered the role of group members as &dquo;contingent parts of a dynamic whole.&dquo; Group therapy is viewed as a homeostatic process.…”

Section: Transformative Symbolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Within the Group's View

Ettin

1986

Small Group Behavior

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This article explores the use of metaphoric and symbolic imagery to clarify and work through group dynamics. With an eye toward tying imagery interventions to a therapeutic rationale, various levels of group intervention (individual, interpersonal, and group-as-a-whole) are discussed and therapeutic goals at each level specified. Clinical vignettes serve to explicate how imagery work might enhance these therapeutic goals, while being naturally worked into the ongoing flow of the group's process.

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Group Psychotherapy and Symbol Formation

Cited by 9 publications

References 4 publications

Can analytical psychology be applied to the therapeutic community?

Can analytical psychology be applied to the therapeutic community?

Psychotherapy in the aesthetic attitude

Within the Group's View

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