“The separation of psychology from the premises of biology is purely artificial, because the human psyche lives in indissoluble union with the body…So what is the body? The body is merely the visibility of the soul, the psyche; and the soul is the psychological experience of the body.”

C.G. Jung

In this 2.5 workshop, be introduced to a body of work, Jungian Somatics I’ve been developing over the last several years. We will explore why I felt it was imperative for me to understand the structure and function of the psyche through a Jungian depth psychology lens. After specializing in harnessing the intelligence of the body while supporting people living with shock or complex trauma histories, it became acutely clear that the body does not have all the answers and that in working only with the body, I was limited in what I could offer clients whose suffering is tenacious and prolific.

Key concepts you will be introduced to:

• How exploring the body through a symbolic lens opens doors to the unconscious psyche.

• How nervous system theory needs to include an understanding of the structure of the psyche.

• How I’ve woven in somatic awareness and practices into psychoanalytic practice.

• Why searching for answers to our suffering in the body can be limited and sometimes make people feel more ‘broken’.

• Why the concept of releasing trauma conflicts with the structure of the psyche and depth psychology knowledge.

I have been an embodiment and trauma educator and movement coach with over 20 years of clinical experience. I’m a Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and an advanced candidate training with the Ontario Association of Jungian Analysts offering psychoanalysis/psychotherapy under supervision. I welcome you to open up doors to more questions about your understanding of somatics if you’re a somatic practitioner and, if you’re an analyst, to shed some light on how excluding the body in psychoanalysis can limit dialogue with the unconscious psyche. This workshop might be of interest to anyone engaged in their own personal healing and therapy.