Module Seven
Trauma
Presented by John Gosling and Charlotte Hoffman
Image Credit: Edvard Munch – Vampire (1895)
Description
Unprocessed trauma drains the life force of trauma victims.
“Neuroscience research shows that the only way we can change the way we feel is by becoming aware of our inner experience and learning to befriend what is going inside ourselves.” (Bessel van der Kolk)
Every human is subjected to various forms and degrees of trauma throughout their lives – emotional, physical, and sexual trauma; separation and loss – to name a few.
Unacknowledged and unprocessed trauma profoundly changes our neurophysiology, brains, minds, and bodies. These trauma imprints have a significant influence on how we manage to survive in the present and give rise to “complexes” (Jung) or “parts” (Internal Family Systems). We live in a society that is deeply traumatized and traumatizing. We will examine the effects of unexplored and unprocessed trauma that become part of our shadows – how they affect our inner world, our bodies, our ability to function, and our relationships. We will also explore the influence of collective, societal, and intergenerational trauma.
We will mention various attachment patterns and the psychic defenses that occur when trauma is inflicted on us (the self-care system and protectors). We will devote attention to the many treatment options available emphasizing how to effectively address and process trauma.
Seminar Dates
- October 19 – Introduction – Overview, Myths, Types of Trauma
- October 26 – Effects of trauma on brain/psyche and how complexes/protectors are formed
- November 2 – Psychic defenses including Kalshed’s self-care system, protectors and persecutors
- November 9 – Treatment options
Seminar Content
19 October: Introduction
A discussion of trauma, including definitions and Jungian concepts such as the shadow and the trauma complex. The universality of trauma is explored through myths like Chiron, the Wounded Healer; Persephone’s abduction; and Prometheus’s trials. Key trauma types are outlined, including single-incident trauma, childhood trauma, early relational trauma, transgenerational trauma, and societal trauma.
26 October: Unexplored and unprocessed trauma
Discussion of how unprocessed trauma affects the physical neuronal architectural structure of the brain resulting in complexes (Jung’s Complex Theory) and “parts” (Internal Family Systems – IFS). These trauma-related adaptations profoundly change how our brains, psyches, and bodies function, with far-reaching effects on our physical and mental health, as well as on personality and identity.
2 November: Psychic defenses evoked by trauma
Discussion of the psychic defenses to trauma including splitting and dissociation, denial, avoidance, false self, etc., including the work of Donald Kalsched, illustrating how protectors can become persecutors.
9 November: Treatment options
Discussion of resources and additional tools that support treatment and processing of trauma with a focus on how to process trauma clinically.
Module Reading/Viewing List
- Van Der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma. Penguin Random House.
- Kalsched, D., Interview by Daniela Sieff. (2006). Unlocking the Secrets of the Wounded Psyche: The miraculous survival system that is also a prison. Caduceus, issues 69 – 70.
- Additional reading: Kalsched, D (1996). The Inner World of Trauma: Archetypal Defenses of the Personal Spirit. Routledge.
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Module Presenters
John Gosling is a psychiatrist and Jungian analyst who trained at the C.G. Jung Institute of New York and returned to Cape Town in 2004. He is a past-president of SAAJA and is a training analyst. He serves on various committees of SAAJA. He is a co-facilitator of Jung and Film presentations together with Julie Manegold and Grace Reid, serves on the Assessment and Review committee, and co-facilitates Module 7 of the Jung Certificate Course with Charlotte Hoffman. He co-founded the Expressive Sandwork project in Hanover Park in 2015 in which he is still actively participating. He has a special interest in dreams, complexes, archetypes, the effects and treatment of early trauma, and how psychoneurobiology informs our work and approach to psyche.
Charlotte Hoffman is a Clinical Psychologist and Jungian Analyst practicing in Green Point, Cape Town. With thirty years of experience in private practice, she focuses extensively on trauma and intergenerational trauma, among other mental health issues. A deep concern for the intergenerational trauma caused by South Africa’s troubled history of colonialism and Apartheid informs her ongoing commitment to psychological healing and the pursuit of a more equal and non-racist society. Charlotte is a member of the International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP) and the Southern African Association of Jungian Analysts (SAAJA). Within SAAJA, she serves on the Executive Committee and contributes in various leadership and committee roles, including those related to Media, Diversity, and Assessment & Review. She has co-facilitated the trauma module of SAAJA’s Certificate Course with John Gosling since 2023.