The Couples Cauldron: An Introduction to Jungian Couples Therapy – Presented by Elizabeth Éowyn Nelson, PhD and Tony Delmedico, PhD [Seminar]

NARRATIVE

Therapists and analysts, regardless of their training and orientation, continually seek generative ways to address the intense and often long-standing strife endemic to couples therapy. They know that working with couples places tremendous demands on their knowledge, their skill, and their own complicated feelings about the mysteries of relationship.

The Couples Cauldron: An Introduction to Jungian Couples Therapy offers participants fresh ways of thinking about what happens in the consulting room. The course re-imagines the work of couples therapy as a temenos guiding partners toward psychological wholeness, or what Jung termed the Self. The course’s central premise—emotionally-committed relationships are difficult, profound, meaningful, and full of soul—means that couples who bravely begin therapy and the therapists who guide them are working on behalf of soul regardless of the outcome.

This unique presentation teaches key concepts in Jung’s psychology as it applies to therapeutic couples work, offering participants more nuanced ways of working with the complex energies that arise between suffering partners. Participants will reimagine the couple’s plight—as well as their personal experience of relationship—as an unfolding creative process and a mystery to be lived.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Differentiate two key distinctions between behavioral/cognitive approaches and depth-oriented (soul-based) approaches to couples therapy.
2. Identify and describe two core concepts from Carl Jung and archetypal theory (e.g., shadow, anima/animus, archetypes).
3. Explain how intimate relationships can function as a process of individuation and Self-development by identifying at least two mechanisms through which relational conflict contributes to psychological growth.
4. Identify two examples of complexes and archetypal patterns in couple dynamics, and explain an intervention that engages symbolic or unconscious material (e.g., interpretation, amplification, or reflective inquiry).
5. Apply Jungian typology to couple dynamics by identifying at least two relevant typological differences (e.g., thinking/feeling, introversion/extraversion).
6. Define at least two key metaphors or stages of alchemical transformation (e.g., nigredo, albedo).
7. Identify at least three clinical considerations when working with gender, sexual, and relationally diverse couples.
8. Describe at least two ways therapist subjectivity (e.g., countertransference, symbolic resonance) can inform couples work.

COURSE OUTLINE—6 hours

8:30 – 9:00 am

     Registration 

9:00 – 9:15 am

     Introduction of presenters

9:15 – 10:00 am

     Introduction to a Jungian framework for couples therapy and Individuation.

10:00 – 10:15 am

     Break 

10:15 – 11:00 am

     The Alchemy of Relationship

11:00 – 11:45 am

     Couples and Complexes

11:45 am – 12:45 pm

     Lunch Break

12:45 – 1:30 pm

     Archetypal Basis of Coupled Life

1:30 – 2:15 pm

     Typology in Couples Therapy

2:15 – 2:30 pm

     Break

2:30 – 3:15 pm

     The Shadow and the Couple

3:25 – 4:00 pm

     Diversity and Contemporary Coupling

4:00 pm

     End of Seminar

Criterion:  1.1 TO 1.3

This course satisfies Criterion 1.1.

CONTENT CURRICULUM

This presentation builds upon key competencies, skill sets, and knowledge bases described in the literature associated with the contemporary practice of couples therapy. By inviting a Jungian and depth-oriented approach, it seeks to augment, not supplant, current therapeutic modalities. The course:

• utilizes and amplifies Jung’s formulation of analytical psychotherapy as it pertains to relationships and couples therapy. 
• introduces the concepts of individuation, complexes, alchemy, typology, archetypes, and the shadow and their impact on couples as well as the therapist. 
• builds upon graduate-level concepts and applies them using clinical methodologies directly relevant to a depth-informed psychotherapy with couples.

This presentation speaks directly to the clinical practice of psychotherapy with couples.  It introduces theoretical considerations from a Jungian perspective as well as clinical considerations which directly inform treatment planning, case conceptualization, and ways of working with couples in therapy.

Anyone working in a therapeutic field with couples who wants to incorporate Jungian and archetypal theory in their practice. Graduate students studying psychology or related disciplines and wish to deepen your understanding of Jungian couple therapy. No previous knowledge or qualifications are required.

The content of this presentation represents introductory to intermediate level application of the principles of Jungian psychotherapy. It presumes at least an introductory level of knowledge of depth psychology and some of Jung’s core psychological concepts.

The accuracy and empirical basis for this material is taken from primary source material from the corpus of Jung’s work. The presentation relies on either Jung’s work directly, or those primary figures who have amplified his work.

An inherent limitation lies in the challenge of condensing the breadth of Jung’s major contributions to a six hour introduction and practical application to couples therapy. The presentation is designed to invite an increase in self-awareness for participants, and this has the potential to be transiently activating and frustrating for some. 

In addition to acknowledging, respecting, and speaking to the importance of the richness of cultural, individual and role differences that couples and therapist bring to the work, this presentation specifically includes a section on Diversity and Contemporary Coupling. The section will also speak the wide range of relational styles and individual identities that influence contemporary couple therapy. It encourages participants to listen for how partners make meaning of gender, sexuality, relationships, and identity—ever mindful that cultural and political context are especially crucial factors affecting people who do not conform to normative expectations.

BIO:

Elizabeth Éowyn Nelson PhD, faculty of Pacifica Graduate Institute since 2003, teaches and speaks internationally. She has published numerous scholarly essays on subjects including animals, dreams, feminism, film, mythology, research, somatics, and technology. Elizabeth’s books include Psyche’s Knife (Chiron, 2012), The Art of Inquiry (Spring, 2017), coauthored with Joseph Coppin, and The Art of Jungian Couple Therapy, coauthored with Anthony Delmedico (Routledge, 2025), and Weird Writing (in press). As a professional writer and editor for four decades, Elizabeth coaches aspiring authors across many genres and styles. You can read more about her at www.elizabethnelson-phd.com

Anthony Delmedico, PhD, LMFT is a psychotherapist and AAMFT-approved supervisor working in private practice in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and doctoral degree in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He has written and spoken about the depths of relationships, fatherhood, divorce, and sexual abuse. He is co-author of The Art of Jungian Couples Therapy, and author of Tending the Wound of Sexual Abuse is the founder of First Haven, a non-profit organization providing psychological self-help resources to those who have experienced sexual abuse.

COST:

CIP Members:

$150 early registration 10 business days prior to seminar; $180 after

Non-Members:

$180 early registration up to 10 business days prior to seminar, $210 after

CEs: 6 CEs for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and 6 CEs for Psychologists

Community Institute for Psychotherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  Community Institute for Psychotherapy maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. 

Requirements for the successful completion of the activity are attending the program in it’s entirety, and completing an evaluation form.

Cancellations must be received in writing 10 business days prior to the seminar, class, or first study group session for a refund minus a $25 cancellation fee. Cancellations less than ten days will not be refunded.

Accommodations will be made wherever possible for those with disabilities. Please let us know of any disabilities upon registration to ensure proper accommodations are put in place prior to the workshop/training.