Jungian Counseling and Play Therapy: Classical Theory for the Digital Age

This course is designed to provide a clear and approachable introduction to the practical application of Jungian principals to promote wellness, both personally and professionally. While Jung was instrumental in the development of contemporary integrative practices, training as a Jungian can be a rocky and uneven path in the digital age. We will constellate and concretize some classical Jungian elements with cultural humility, creativity, and the latest evidence. Students will walk away with practical tools to utilize and advocate for ongoing education and research of Jungian counseling, play therapy, and other depth practices.

What you will receive:

• 4 Live Webinar Sessions with Q & A
• 4 Links to the Recordings
• 4 CECs

This course is designed to provide a clear and approachable introduction to the practical application of Jungian principals to promote wellness, both personally and professionally. While Jung was instrumental in the development of contemporary integrative practices, training as a Jungian can be a rocky and uneven path in the digital age. We will constellate and concretize some classical Jungian elements with cultural humility, creativity, and the latest evidence. Students will walk away with practical tools to utilize and advocate for ongoing education and research of Jungian counseling, play therapy, and other depth practices.

This Course is Ideal if:

• You’re a mental health student or licensed professional interested in contemporary Jungian practice
• You’re interested in the therapeutic powers of play and/or the aesthetics of existence
• You’re concerned about our global mental health crisis
• You want to better understand the psyche’s structure and functions

Course Overview: (Weekly Titles/Themes)

Week 1: Why Jung?

• A [very] brief history of Jung & the Jungians
• The creativity crisis & mental health
• Mode-shifting & “evidence-based practice”

Week 2: The Structure & Functions of the Psyche

• Explore a new conceptualization of the structure of the psyche
• Identifying and listening to psyche’s main objectives?
• Recognizing the therapeutic powers of play

Week 3: Journeying Together Through the Symbolic Life

• What is the symbolic life and why we need it?
• What is cultural humility and how can we practice it?
• How to cultivate relationship with psyche through curiosity, playfulness, and creativity

Week 4: Jungian Advocacy

• What is the proof that Jungian counseling & play therapy works?
• Can I be a Jungian, too?
• How can I raise awareness about Jung and his work?

By the End of This Course You Will Be Able To:

• Identify Jung’s unsung influences from pop-culture to neuroscience
• Describe how to cultivate the natural processes of the psyche
• Clarify the need for a greater Jungian perspective in mental health treatment
• Apply this knowledge to promote wellness, personally and collectively

CEC Objectives:

Week 1: Why Jung?

Attendees will be able to:

• Identify at least 2 aspects of the digital age that Jung predicted
• Define and assess the need for greater ethical consideration regarding the aesthetics of existence
• Compare & contrast the Jungian method to at least one other evidence-based mental health/play therapy theory

Week 2: The Structure & Functions of the Psyche

Attendees will be able to:

• Distinguish at least 3 structures within the psyche
• List the 4 main functions of the psyche

Week 3: Journeying Together Through the Symbolic Life

Attendees will be able to:

• Determine at least one way to develop their cultural humility
• Select at least one important symbol in their life
• Identify at least 1 aspect of the therapeutic powers of play

Week 4: Jungian Advocacy

Attendees will be able to:

• Specify 3 barriers to providing quality Jungian-oriented mental health care, including play therapy.
• Determine how and where they might continue the conversation in their communities

Course Addendums:

Major Text:

20% discount code on the Routledge website: AFLY02

McRoberts, R. (2024). Jungian counseling & play therapy: Classical theory for the digital age. Routledge.

Selected Bibliography:

Alcaro, A., Carta, S., & Panksepp, J. (2017). The affective core of the Self: A neuro-archetypical perspective on the foundations of human (and animal) subjectivity. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(1424), 1- 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01424

Anderson, D. (2018). The alchemy of play. Psychological Perspectives, 61(2), 241–256. https://doi.org/10.1080/00332925.2018.1461506

Evidence-Based Child Therapy. (2023). Play therapy outcome research database. http://evidencebasedchildtherapy.com/

Moore, T. (1992. Care of the soul: A guide for cultivating depth and sacredness in everyday life. Harper Perennial.

Casement, A. (Ed.). (2018). Who owns Jung? Routledge.

Cashwell, C. S. & Young, J. S. (2020). Integrating spirituality and religion into counseling: A guide to competent practice. (3rd ed). American Counseling Association.

Fancourt, D., & Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe. (Health Evidence Network (HEN) synthesis report 67). https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/329834/9789289054553- eng.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1LMeOvkGPZxzCBctOMfKzbxRxLy3-CERPgfc-cm-UOy- D3G6q6-ukzvWY

Kalsched, D. E. (1996). The inner world of trauma: Archetypal defenses of the personal spirit. Routledge.

Karwowski, M., Zielińska, A., & Jankowska, D. M. (2022). Democratizing creativity by enhancing imagery and agency: A review and meta-analysis. Review of Research in Education, 46(1), 229-263. https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X221084337

Kondili, E., Isawi, D., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C., & Maleckas, O. (2022). Predictors of cultural humility in counselors-in-training. Counselor Preparation, 61, 129-140. DOI:10.1002/ceas.12230

Jung, C. G. (2023). The collected works of C. G. Jung: Revised and expanded complete digital edition. (CW 1 – 20). G. Adler, W. McGuire, & H. Read (Eds.), R. F. C. Hull (Trans.). Princeton University Press. ISBN: 9780691255194. https://press.princeton.edu/books/ebook/9780691255194/the-collected-works-of-c-g-jung

Schaefer, C. E., & Drewes, A. A. (Eds.), (2014). The therapeutic powers of play: 20 core agents of change (2nd ed.). https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.a4pt.org/resource/resmgr/education_&_training/therapeutic_powers_of_play_2.pdf

Shedler, J. (2018). Where is the evidence for “evidence-based” therapy?. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 41(2), 319-329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2018.02.001.

Russo-Netzer, P., & Icekson, T. (2022). Engaging with life: Synchronicity experiences as a pathway to meaning and personal growth. Current Psychology: A Journal for Diverse Perspectives on Diverse Psychological Issues, 41(2), 597–610. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-019-00595-1

Wiersma, J. K., Freedle, L. R., McRoberts, R., & Solberg, K. B. (2022). A meta-analysis of sandplay therapy treatment outcomes. International Journal of Play Therapy, 31(4), 197– 215. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000180

Yee, T., Ceballos, P., & Swan, A. (2019) Examining trends of play therapy articles: A 10- year content analysis. International Journal of Play Therapy, 28(4), 250-260. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000103