The Mythic Mind in Clinical Practice
A Teague Workshop Series
Part 1: Basic Mythic Ideations in Disturbed Patients
Presented by Ronald Teague, Ph.D., ABPP
C.G. Jung discovered that whenever the human mind cannot understand something rationally humans attempt to make sense of things by projecting the contents of the Collective Unconscious onto the unknown phenomenon. He thought that this was the origin of myths. Myths are simply humans’ attempt to explain phenomenon that seems mysterious and important. In studying myths one starts to understand the structure and nature of the Unconscious.
Each day the psychotherapist encounters patients’ attempts to make sense of their confusing world by projecting these contents of the Unconscious onto individuals and situations that are confusing and difficult. Understanding how the Unconscious works helps the psychotherapist know how to predict how the patient will respond in various situations and how to erect successful interventions.
This class will focus on the basic structures of myths and how they developed over the generations. It will then focus on how mythology shows how the unconscious works to provide a sense of meaning in humans. Lastly, the class will examine how mythic images are at the centre of patients’ complexes and how discovery of other mythic images help them with recovery.
The class will examine the major mythic systems of Occidental civilization, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome and the mythic system of the Chinese civilization. Students will have ample time to reflect on how mythology has shaped their own life and how their personal mythology interfaces with their patients’ mythic worlds.
Dr. Ronald Teague is in private practice and also founding professor the California School of Professional Psychology and Founding Professor of Alliant International University in Fresno, Sacramento as well as Hong Kong. He is knowledgeable about various topics especially as they pertain to Culture and Psychodynamic interpretations. A phenomenal speaker and extremely erudite presenter, SJVPA is proud to sponsor this program.