The Process of Transformation
IAAP/Catholic University Freiburg Joint Conference
(in cooperation with German Society for Analytical Psychology (DGAP) and International Network for Research in Analytical Psychology INFAP3)
4–6 October 2024
The Conference Theme
Jung started to develop his own approach to psychodynamic psychotherapy with the idea (in his 1912 publication “Wandlungen und Symbole der Libido”, in which the term “Wandlung” = transformation is highlighted) that there is a universal process taking place in the transformation of the personality. Since then, in analytical psychology, the general idea is that the process of psychotherapy is directed by inner forces (e.g. the transcendent function, the archetype of the Self) which are activated in the therapeutic encounter. There is also the idea that this process has a universal shape and can be mapped accordingly. Moments of change or turning points in the course of therapy are facilitated by the appearance of archetypal patterns or symbols.
The Process of Individuation
This process is called the individuation process and its general form and stages have been described in Jung’s works in detail. This process forms the core of Jung’s psychology and continues to be the heart of analytical psychology. The attempt to map this process in its universal form is the reason behind Jung’s interest in alchemy, mythology (the hero’s journey) and spiritual traditions, because in all of these fields traces of this process can be found. This process has been described again and again in publications from the field of analytical psychology and in a large number of case descriptions. Nevertheless, in spite of the outstanding importance for analytical psychology, there have been few attempts to investigate this process systematically and in accordance with the rules and instruments of scientific research.
Major Aim of the Conference
The basic idea of all approaches to psychotherapy is to create conditions which bring about therapeutic change. The different schools of psychotherapy differ largely in how they explain the coming about of therapeutic change and the factors behind it. A major aim of the conference is to provide a forum for researchers to come together and have an exchange on how to approach the investigation of the process of transformation in different fields as well as to present their findings. This forum is not restricted to Analytical Psychology but will include other disciplines, especially psychodynamic psychotherapies and general psychotherapy process research.
A Working Conference
The idea is to have a working conference in the sense that not only completed studies and findings can be presented but also research approaches and designs and these can be discussed together with other researchers regarding their applicability to the investigation of transformation processes. In this sense, the conference should also provide a space for discussion, cooperation and networking in the development of appropriate research approaches for analytical psychology in the future.
Program
13:00 Reception open: Arrival and registration.
14:00 Welcome by the presidents/representatives of IAAP (Misser Berg), DGAP (Dieter Treu), INFAP3 (Isabelle Meier/Elisabeth Schörry-Volk) and Catholic University (Christian Roesler)
Lecture: Introduction to the conference theme “The process of transformation”
(Prof. Dr. Christian Roesler, Freiburg/Germany)
Keynote lecture: A New Cure of Souls: On the Transformation of Jung's therapeutic practice
(Prof. Dr. Sonu Shamdasani, London/UK)
16:00 Coffee Break
16:30 Parallel Breakout-Sessions: Conceptual research and research designs
(30 min. for each presentation including Q/A and discussion)
Session A
Antje Barber, Berlin/Germany: Specificities of the transpersonal - from Neumann to Ferrer
Results of hermeneutic research as a stimulus for the clarification of epistemological foundations
Luisa Zoppi, Rome/Italy: A Remarkable Development in Jung's Ideas: From Word Association Tests to Feeling-Toned Complexes to our Current Understanding of Trauma
Kevin Lu, London/UK: Jungian Psycho-Social Studies: Akira, Greta Thunberg, and Archetypal Thematic Analysis (ATA)
Session B
Hugo Trevisi, Nürnberg/Germany: In pursuit of transformation in the psychotherapeutic training: Psychotherapeutic attitude as a source of transformation in analytical psychology
Patrizia Heise, Freiburg/Germany: The hero’s journey as a psychological concept
Iryna Semkiv, Lviv/Ukraine: War: mentalization and totalitarian state of mind
Poster Session
Sang Ick Lee/Korea: The individuation process represented in Western alchemical text ‘Rosarium Philosophorum’ and the concept of personality development of Eastern thoughts
18:00 Break: Drinks and Finger Food
Musical transformations
19:00 Leonor Dill, Salzburg/Austria: Archetypes in Music and Individuation – An Integrated Approach (Presentation)
19:30 A musical improvisation performed by Tallis Vocal Ensemble
9:30 Spiritual Transformation
A universal process of transformation can also be found in spiritual traditions, e.g. the exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, the Buddhist path etc. This section of the conference will provide a forum for investigations into these traditions.
Keynote Lecture: The Spiritual Path of Transformation
(Prof. Dr. Eckhard Frick, Jesuit Priest and Jungian Analyst, Anthropological Psychology/University for Philosophy and Spiritual Care/Technical University, Munich/Germany)
10:45 Parallel Breakout-Sessions: Spiritual and transpersonal transformation processes
(30 min. for each presentation including Q/A and discussion)
Session A
Patrizia Peresso, Rome/Italy: A preliminary study on the transformative process: an analyst and a Catholic priest compare their views
Dawn Bunch, Pittsburgh/USA: Exploring the Imaginative Path toward Salvation and Individuation through St. Teresa of Avila and C.G. Jung
Session B
Liane Hofmann, IGPP Freiburg/Germany: Kundalini processes
Wolfgang Fach, IGPP Freiburg/Germany: Autonomy and Bonding as Structural Determinants of Individuation and Exceptional Experiences
Session C
Eckhard Frick, München/Germany: Godplaying – a psychodramatic experience (workshop)
11:45 Coffee/Tea
12:15 The Spiritual Path of Transformation in the Symbolism of Gothic Cathedrals
The Gothic cathedrals of Central Europe (Freiburg Cathedral as an outstanding example) are covered - outside as well as inside - with symbols in the form of sculptures and paintings, which form an iconographic program delivering the Christian path to salvation and thus providing an example of a path of transformation (therefore called the biblia pauperum, the Bible of the poor/illiterate). But this official symbolism is only one layer of the symbolism contained in the Cathedral as a whole. Beneath this official layer of symbolism are more secret layers, including signs and symbols attached to the church by the guild of stonemasons, who formed a secret society and provided a path of initiation; remnants of pagan beliefs; finally, there is the hypothesis that alchemical symbols are attached to the church which can be read as a path of initiation/transformation according to the ideas of medieval alchemy.
Introduction to official and secret layers of symbolism in the Freiburg Cathedral
(Christian Roesler, Freiburg/Germany in cooperation with Brigit Soubroulliard, Strasbourg/France)
13:00 Lunch Break
Excursion to the Freiburg Cathedral (15 min. walk) and visit of the market around the cathedral; lunch on the market with typical specialties of the region
15:30 Coffee/Tea and cakes
16:00 Parallel Breakout-Sessions: Transformative processes in psychotherapy
(30 min. for each presentation including Q/A and discussion)
Session A
Andrea Fontana, Lucia Sideli, Chiara Caprì, Rino Capo, Lisa Arduino, Schimmenti Adriano, Vincenzo Caretti LUMSA, Rome/Italy: Psychotherapy of emotional and psychosomatic regulation: the transformational processes in psychotherapy in the light of polyvagal theory
Chiara Caprì, Valerio Colangeli, Rome/Italy: In the labyrinth of adolescent dysregulation: can fairy tales, myths and archetypes become Ariadne's thread?
Monica Luci, Rome/Italy: Single case trans-theoretical meta-analysis of change moments in psychotherapy
Session B
Mary Coaten/UK: Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) in Acute Adult Psychiatry: A Mixed Methods study
Wei Zhang/China: Therapeutic Presence and Self Compassion: Exploring the encounter between analyst and patient
Chiedu Eseadi/South Africa: Appearance of Archetypal Patterns in Jungian Psychotherapy with a Neurodiverse Student: A Case Report
Session C Transformative processes in dream research
Brian Nuckols: Structural Dream Analysis in Analytical Psychotherapies: Addressing PTSD in Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors
Patrick Jenni, Zürich/Switzerland: Structural Dream Analysis and transformative processes
Sarah Hall, UK: Dreaming Recovery: How a Jungian understanding of drug-dreams can assist patients in recovering from addiction
18:00 Closing of the day
19:00 Conference Dinner (optional)
9:30 Sandplay Therapy
Keynote Lecture: Mapping the Process of Transformation: Developments in Sandplay Therapy Research
(Dr. Lorraine R. Freedle, Neuropsychologist, President-elect of the International Society for Sandplay Therapy, and co-author of the first international meta-analysis on the efficacy of SPT, Hawaiʻi/USA)
10:45 Parallel Breakout-Sessions
(30 min. for each presentation including Q/A and discussion)
Session A
Yura Loscalzo, Marco Giannini, Firenze/Italy: Investigating the relationship of Sandplay Therapy and Active Imagination
Monika Wigger, KH Freiburg: A fundamentally intact psyche—the artistic transformation of the essential
Session B
George Jogho, Freiburg/Germany: Expressive Sandwork efficacy in refugee children: a randomized controlled trial
Annagreta König-Dansokho, Tübingen/Germany: A systematic of process patterns in pictures from Expressive Sandwork
Session C: German presentations
Sabine Grumann, Stuttgart/D: Eine Phänomenologie des Auftretens synchronistischer Ereignisse im Kontext von Psychotherapie
Sandspielgruppe: Bedeutung der Beziehung für Sandspielprozesse – Auf dem Weg zu einer Sandspielstudie
11:45 Coffee/Tea
12:00 Final panel discussion aiming at formulating future research strategies as well as insights into the process of transformation.
13:00 Closing of the conference
Any questions? Don't hesitate to contact us!
