Psychology

Jungian Psychology, Psychedelics, and the Multiplicity of Self

August 2, 2024
Featuring: Maria Papaspyrou & Dr. Ido Cohen

Jungian psychology takes a fascinating look at the relationship between the conscious and unconscious parts of our minds. How is this framework brought more to the forefront through psychedelics and an understanding of our many parts?

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Jungian psychology takes a fascinating look at the relationship between the conscious and unconscious parts of our minds. How is this framework brought more to the forefront through psychedelics and an understanding of our many parts?

In this episode of Vital Psychedelic Conversations, Johanna interviews Jung experts and Vital instructors: Maria Papaspyrou, psychotherapist and co-founder and director of the Institute of Psychedelic Therapy (IPT); and Dr. Ido Cohen, clinical psychologist and founder of The Integration Circle.

They talk about the experiences that helped them first understand the concept of multiple different parts making up their being, and dive into what it is about psychedelics that allows us to discover and work with these different parts: how the protector parts of our psyche work overtime to keep parts away from us, and how psychedelics can dissolve them, leading to a better understanding of ourselves. How much of our persona is based on who we feel we’re supposed to be? What shadow parts are stopping us from being our true selves? And what amazing parts of ourselves have yet to be discovered?

They discuss:

  • The idea of self as a unified entity: Does this concept make sense anymore?
  • Risks in understanding how different parts work together, from justifying behaviors to inflating defensive structures
  • The need to move away from solution-based to more process-focused frameworks, and the power in treating healing and growth as an ongoing process
  • The rejection of the shadow and the archetypal (and impossible) wish to extinguish all suffering
  • The large discrepancy between what people think being a psychedelic facilitator is vs. the reality

and more!

If you really want to dig into Jungian ideas, Jungian psychology is one of the new specialization tracks featured in the next cohort of Vital, beginning September 16. If you want to know more, send us an email or attend one of the next Vital Q+As.

Links

Instituteofpsychedelictherapy.org

Towardswholeness.co.uk

Theintegrationcircle.com

Psychedelics and The Shadow: The Shadow Side of Psychedelia: Exploring the dark and golden shadow of psychedelia

PT390 – Vital Psychedelic Conversations, featuring: Mackenzie Amara & Dr. Ido Cohen

PT450 – Dreams, Psychedelics, Symbolism, and Cockroaches, featuring: Mackenzie Amara & Dr. Ido Cohen

Lithub.com: The Heteronymous Identities of Fernando Pessoa

The Red Book, by C. G. Jung

My Self, My Many Selves, by J.W.T. Redfearn

Vitalpsychedelictraining.com

*Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that Psychedelics Today will receive a percentage of the sale

Maria Papaspyrou

In this Episode

Maria Papaspyrou

Maria Papaspyrou is a senior accredited psychotherapist and co-founder and director of the Institute of Psychedelic Therapy (IPT). Her core trainings have been in integrative relational psychotherapy, systemic family constellations, and supervision. Her clinical practice focuses on psychedelic integration as well as working as a clinical supervisor for individuals and organisations in the field. She has co-edited Psychedelic Mysteries of the Feminine with Chiara Baldini and David Luke, and Psychedelics & Psychotherapy: The Healing Potential of Expanded States with Dr Tim Read. With Tim at IPT, they are supporting the development of a professional community and have co-developed and teach a 2-year professional training on psychedelic-assisted Therapy, through their Depth Relational Process model.

Ido Cohen

Dr. Ido Cohen

Dr. Ido Cohen, Psy.D, serves individuals, couples, and groups in San Francisco. He received his Psy.D from the California Institute of integral studies and trained at the Jung Institute In San Francisco. He works with a diverse range of challenges, including childhood trauma, inner critic, relationship and intimacy challenges, lack of fulfillment, psychospiritual growth, as well as psychedelic integration and preparation sessions with individuals and groups. His doctoral study researched the integration process of ayahuasca ceremonies, while applying Jungian psychology to better understand how to support individuals in their process of change and transformation. He is currently finishing a study on the use of psychedelics in couples. He is the founder of The Integration Circle and facilitates workshops on the different dimensions of integration and the intersection of mental health, spiritual health, and the entheogenic experience. Ido is passionate in supporting individuals to create long term, sustainable change leading to intimate, authentic, expressive, and love-filled lives. In his free time, he likes to find new paths in nature with his dog, Luna, marvel at art, write, create, and connect with his community.

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