CARAS Webinar: Jungian and Archetypal Perspectives on BDSM ; Sunday, February 18, 2024
Jungian and Archetypal Perspectives on BDSM
Presenter: Douglas Thomas, Ph.D., LCSW
Sunday, February 18, 2024, 10am-noon (US Pacific)/11am-1:00pm (US Mountain)/noon-2:00pm (US Central)/1-3:00 pm (US Eastern)/6-8:00pm (London)/7-9:00pm (Central European - Prague, Berlin, Stockholm); 2 hours
To register for the webinar, please visit: https://forms.gle/WZtTCBENSntidqTW6
Attendees may earn 2 Continuing Education (CE) credits
Cost: Attendance is free for all CARAS subscribers.
Attendance with CE credit is free for CARAS Professional and Student subscribers, and $40 for others.
Attendance without CE credit for non-subscribers is $25
Pre-registration is required. Registration will close at 3pm (Pacific)/6pm (Eastern) on Saturday, February 17. 2024 Please register early!
Abstract
The depth psychology of C. G. Jung and James Hillman provide unique perspectives on the meaning and psychological value of BDSM activities and relationships. BDSM practitioners can benefit from Jung's and Hillman's psychological language, which honors the value of transgression as a necessity for psychological growth. Clinicians can gain fresh insights regarding the deeper psychological meaning of participating in the world of BDSM and leather by applying Jungian concepts such as the Shadow, the Syzygy, and the psychoid.
The presentation will discuss the collective archetypal sources of historical trauma which have provided inspiration to some of the more disquieting aspects of BDSM, and we will consider how the deep psychology of BDSM creates a space in the modern world to ethically engage these primal psychic forces.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
Describe the Jungian concepts of the Shadow, the Syzygy, and the psychoid, and their relevance to the activities and relationships of BDSM.
Describe the difference between the personal developmental model of psychology and Hillman's image-centered archetypal model, and discuss the clinical implications.
Analyze the relevance of intersectionality to clinical work that addresses the archetypal dimension of intergenerational trauma, race, social justice, and erotic reclamation.
Presentation Content Level: Introductory - Intermediate. This webinar will provide an introduction to the topic but also provide an opportunity for discussion at a more advanced level that presupposes basic knowledge of alternative sexualities communities.
About the Presenter
Douglas Thomas, PhD, LCSW is a Jungian-based psychotherapist specializing in LGBTQ+ issues, alternative sexualities, and dream therapy. He teaches as adjunct faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpinteria, California. His new book, The Deep Psychology of BDSM and Kink: Jungian and Archetypal Perspectives on the Soul’s Transgressive Necessities is now available from Routledge.
Disclosures: There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this presentation.
References
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Image note: AI generated artistic image of Carl Jung wearing a motorcycle jacket. Fair Use for a nonprofit educational purpose.
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