‘Held in mind’ or ‘Hell in mind’: group therapy in Poland

Abstract

This paper describes observations and experiences gathered whilst conducting group therapy with trainees in analytical psychology in Poland. The challenges and conflicts around language and translation reflect challenges common to analysis everywhere: accuracy of interpretation, agreements on permission to interpret and the acceptability of interpretation. The way in which archetypal patterns developed and matured suggests this approach to work with trainees may have wider application.

Healing cultural trauma and its application to the Router programme

“…In relation to other European countries, Kalinowska (2012) has addressed cultural issues from within the Polish context, commenting that ‘collective consciousness and its defences are shaped by traumatic memories of the past’ (p. 440) so that trauma could remain unmourned. From their experience of training in Poland, Mathers et al (2006) not only spoke of post‐Communist cultural trauma but noticeably the use that could be made of certain archetypal patterns, when they emerged.…”

Can analytical psychology be applied to the therapeutic community?

“…Some authors seem to take the view that analytical psychology itself does not directly discuss groups, and therefore they find parallels with other areas of depth psychology. Bion’s theories are explored in relation to a trainee group in a Jungian training institute (Kirsch and Spradlin, 2006) and also within a Jungian facilitated therapy group (Mathers et al , 2006). Jackson (1964) links Kleinian group theories to Jungian understandings of depression within a therapy group.…”

“…He suggests that group discussions should be understood as a myth or dream because of their mysterious nature. Mathers et al (2006) saw the group as the alchemical vas, a container that can hold rising and falling emotions. They noted group members taking on archetypal roles, mostly associated with families such as baby or mother.…”