Art and The Unconscious

Creative Process Therapy Diploma Course

Online - 6 Saturdays (3pm-6pm UK time)

12th OCT - 16th NOV 2024

 
 

‘The wealth of the soul exists in images.’ Carl Jung

Introduction

This course is designed to demonstrate the inextricable link between art and the unconscious mind.  Just as we can explore the depths of the unconscious through the dream, we can also explore the projected unconscious in artistic creation.  Art provides us with a container to view and explore both personal and archetypal symbolism.

Art and The Unconscious brings a unique approach of combining theory and applied theory by drawing on Laura’s knowledge of depth psychology with the presentation and exploration of Gerard’s paintings.

There will be opportunities for personal progression through weekly exercises, where you will be encouraged to allow the unconscious to reveal itself.  Those in clinical practice will benefit from concepts and practical exercises they can use to enrich their therapeutic work.

Each week students will be sent a piece of Gerard’s artwork for their personal reflections.  These will be shared and discussed in week 6 followed by the presentation of the true meaning and analysis for Gerard.

All psychological and artistic terminology will be explained and exemplified throughout the course.

What to expect:

Week One:

  • Introduction to Jungian Psychology and the structure of the psyche

  • Reflections on the projected unconscious in art

  • The concept of canvas as container

  • The archetypal nature of art

  • The beginners mindset

Week Two:

  • Introduction to the history of the use of art in psychology

  • Psychiatric art

  • Outsider art

  • Freud’s influence on the surrealists

  • Birkhäuser and Von Franz

Week Three:

  • Superego and shadow restrictions on creativity

  • Synaesthesia

  • Considering the unrestricted child mind

  • Primitive art

  • Practical exercises to gain confidence

Week Four:

  • Structure and dynamic in art

  • Guidelines for analysing paintings and drawings

  • Symbols and Amplification

  • Colour  symbolism

  • Working with the unconscious content

Week Five:

  • Dream and active imagination art

  • Active imagination exercise

  • Mandalas and the path to individuation

  • Jung’s Mandalas

  • Mandala exercise

Week Six:

  • Review and Reflections on course content

  • Shared student personal reflections on Gerard’s art.

  • Shared student analysis of Gerard’s art.

  • Presentation of Gerard’s personal analysis of his art.

  • Q & A

Students will be encouraged to participate in weekly creative exercises.  They will therefore require a notebook, journal or some paper and art materials of their choice.  A simple pencil or biro pen will be sufficient, although some may choose to have coloured pencils, markers, chalks etc to hand.  We encourage you to use what you feel most comfortable with.

About Laura Patterson

Laura is a psychodynamic therapist in Northern Ireland.  She works full time in private practice, with both individual and couple clients.

Her Jungian focused therapeutic work, provides depth of understanding to the unconscious dynamics of individuals and relationships.  She is passionate about amplifying the symbols given in dreams, active imagination and working creatively through fairy tale and art, to help clients build a bridge between the unconscious and conscious realms of the psyche.

Laura, previously lectured in Belfast, on a range of courses where she was involved in teaching and training the student therapists; including the University of Ulster’s Foundation Degree course and CPCAB courses.   She both wrote and coordinated courses during her time there.  Her love of psychodynamic/Jungian theory and practice led her into writing and delivering private CPD to therapists; trained and in training.  Laura also writes and delivers bespoke psycho-education workshops for personal development purposes and for businesses.

She has been the expert opinion on psychological issues in published articles in both Image and Stylist magazine.

Laura holds BSc(Hons) in Criminology and Psychology, FdSc in Counselling, Level 5 Diploma in Relationship Therapy, BACP Accreditation, University of Ulster Certificate in Teaching.  She has also studied the Diploma in Jungian Psychology, the Advanced Diploma in Jungian Psychology and the Diploma in Jungian Theory and Practice, amongst numerous other psychodynamic and Jungian CPD courses.

About Gerard Torbitt

Gerard is a Belfast based artist, inspired by the depths of the psyche and mysticism. His most recent Belfast exhibition 'BRING YOUR OWN GHOSTS' consisted of a series of vivid, colourful and often disturbing paintings. These were inspired by the isolation of lockdown, a solo residency in Cushendalls curfew tower, his recent separation and personal exploration and relocation.

Gerard describes his artistic style as ‘chaos’ art, which involves finding meaning and purpose in the chaotic and synchronistic imagery bubbling up from the deep unconscious.  Gerard’s artistic style, complements the Jungian approach through the paradoxical elements of colour and dark, disturbing and soothing, violence and innocence in his imagery.

Having been on his own journey through the psyche Gerard speaks of both the containing and cleansing effects of creative practice and is therefore an advocate for the benefits of art for mental health.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The classes are held online via Zoom across 6 Saturdays from October 12th to November 16th 2024 (3pm-6pm UK time / 10am-1pm EST).

The course fees are €600.

• 18 CPD points will be awarded with the Diploma in Creative Process Therapy

• The Video Recordings of all 6 classes will be available as the course progresses

Bookings and fees for Jung Centre events are non-refundable.

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