The Meaning and Value of Suffering in Jung’s Psychology
– Presented by Bryan Wittine, PhD, LMFT[CLASS]

C. G. Jung pioneered new and important ideas for the therapeutic treatment of psychological and spiritual suffering. Counter to the cultural belief that suffering is a bad thing to be eliminated or transcended as quickly as possible, he believed neurotic defenses develop when the soul has not discovered the authentic feelings and deeper meanings of her suffering. For suffering without meaning is very hard to bear, yet it is also often astounding to see how much a person can endure when he or she understands the why and wherefore of that suffering. In fact, directly encountering and embracing our suffering may lead to important personal and spiritual realizations.

In this workshop, Dr. Bryan Wittine, a certified Jungian analyst practicing in Marin County, will explore depth psychotherapy that encourage patients to find greater wisdom and maturity by authentically experiencing their sorrows and dark nights of the soul. Bryan will integrate readings from Jung and Jungian analysts with ample clinical material to illustrate how our patients can be helped by connecting with a wisdom greater than their own. As he will suggest, under some conditions suffering can be harmful to the development of the personality, but under other conditions we can grow and even find fulfillment when we cope with life’s tragedies and contemplate their deeper meanings.

Learning Goals and Objectives:

• Explain the difference between authentic and inauthentic suffering from Jungian perspectives.
• Articulate the conditions under which depression might be regarded as a dark night of the soul rather than a symptom of a disorder.
• Identify two therapeutic strategies for  helping to elicit and deepen a client feelings state.
• Explain how suffering can be  harmful or helpful to the process of individuation.
• Articulate under which conditions might the focus on diagnosis be counterproductive by creating distance from the suffering patient’s deeper personal and transpersonal needs.

Bryan Wittine, PhD, LMFT, is a Jungian psychoanalyst in private practice in Marin County.  He is cofounder and former chair of the graduate program in transpersonal counseling psychology at John F. Kennedy University where he also served as Associate Dean of the former Graduate School of Consciousness Studies.  He has served on the adjunct faculty at CIIS, ITP, and other graduate schools.  Having trained in Existential-Humanistic psychotherapy, his long-standing practice of contemplative spirituality and studies in psychoanalytic psychology brought him to train at the C. G. Jung Institute of San Francisco where he now regularly teaches on such topics as deepening clinical work; depth psychotherapy and spiritual inquiry; and the integration of Jungian and transpersonal psychology.

COST: 

Non Members:
$75 early registration up to 10 days prior to class, $85 after

CIP Members:
$50 early registration up to 10 days prior to class, $60 after

CEs: 4 CEs for LMFTs, LCSWs, and 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 content. 

Cancellations must be received in writing 10 business days prior to the seminar or class for a refund minus a $25 cancellation fee.

Accommodation for Special Needs: Accommodations will be made wherever possible to accommodate those with disabilities.  Please let us know of any disabilities upon registration, to ensure that proper accommodations are put in place prior to workshop/training.

Grievance Procedure: CIP will respond to complaints in a reasonable, ethical and timely manner, when submitted by program attendees in writing to the Chair of CIP’s Professional Development Committee.

Anti-Discrimination Policy: CIP shall not discriminate against any individual or group with respect to any service, program or activity based on gender, race, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age or other prohibited basis. CIP does not require attendees to adhere to any particular religion or creed in order to participate in training. CIP will not promote or advocate for a single modality of treatment that is discriminatory or likely to harm clients based on current accepted standards or practice.

*There is no conflict of interest or commercial support related to this CE program.