Mythos, Center for Story and Symbol

The Center for Story & Symbol

offers continuing education seminars and workshops on the psychology of fairy tales, mythic stories, creativity, movies as mythic imagination, and writing in therapy. CE hours are available for psychologists, marriage & family therapists, teachers, social workers, nurses, and other mental health professionals. Our courses meet requirements in most states.

Articles and Resources

In addition to information about the Center's seminars and workshops, you will find here a wealth of mythic resources on Joseph Campbell, fairy tales, mythic themes in film and culture, poetry, recommended reading lists, graduate programs, web resources, and more recommended links.


NEW! HOME STUDY Course

The Center for Story and Symbol announces its first home-study course: The Wisdom of Mythic Stories. CE units are available, or the course may be taken as non-credit. More information.

NEW! Seminar: Cinematherapy and Inner Process

For spring 2012, the Center will offer a new course: Cinematherapy and Inner Process - Film as Dreamscape.

MYTHIC MEDIA ALERT

Jonathan Young is featured in an online interview with Dr. Gabriella Kortsch on Embellishing the Inner Journey with Myth and Fairy Tales. You can listen to it online or download the interview in mp3 format here.

Jonathan Young is featured in a ABC News Entertainment piece on villains in movies: Worthy Adversaries: Villains Take Center Stage.

Jonathan Young is featured in a television documentary STAR WARS - The Legacy Revealed - A two-hour 30th Anniversary special on the mythology of the epic series. Other commentators include Tom Brokaw, Nancy Pelosi, and Peter Jackson.
Search at History.com for Star Wars Legacy to find next replay date. Click on "video" for a preview.

Media: A one-hour radio interview with Jonathan Young can be heard online: Listen

Most recent additions

New! A Few Thoughts on the Rewards of Mentoring (2011)

Tangled Up in a Heartfelt Story (2010)

Mythology and the Wisdom Reservoir (2010)

Mythic Stories and Inner Growth (2010)

Kona, Hawaii postcard (2010)

ABC Interview: Villains Take Center Stage (2008)

Old Wisdom & New Ways of Seeing (2007)

The Good News About Getting Older - Nine Keys to Aging Well (2006)


Workshop Information

Mythic Resources

Communicate


Day Course Information

Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
Seminar 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Lunch break 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
The following CE credits are available for all courses:

Psychology, MFT, LCSW, NBCC 6 CE hours - Nursing 7 hours

The level is introductory

Evening Writing Workshop Information

Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
Workshop 6 - 9 p.m.
Lunch break 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
The following CE credits are available:

Psychology, MFT, LCSW, NBCC, Nursing 3 hours

The level is introductory


Jonathan Young, PhD
310 W. Quinto Street
Santa Barbara, California 93105
Center: (805) 687-7171
Facs: (805) 687-5750


Seminars and Workshops

with Jonathan Young and Anne Bach

Plus -- A New Home Study Course

Jonathan Young

Jonathan Young -- psychologist and storyteller -- assisted Joseph Campbell at seminars and served as founding curator of the Joseph Campbell Archives and Library. Dr. Young now gives presentations internationally on the mythic imagination.

Presented at an introductory level, these courses are not just for psychotherapists. They are open to all those interested in archetypal perspectives. Center workshops and seminars require no advance preparation; however, participants are provided with a recommended reading list as part of their class materials.

Anne Bach

Anne Bach, M.S., MFT is a specialist in uses of writing in psychotherapy and personal exploration. She has led groups in a variety of clinical settings -- and has been a presenter on the psychological uses of writing at major conferences. She is also a noted literary consultant and has done trainings for professional writers in film, advertising, and creative non-fiction. Her artful facilitation of writing exercises provides a comfortable forum for reflection.

SEMINAR DATES

The Wisdom of Mythic Stories

Home Study Course

The Wisdom of Mythic Stories Seminar
The Wisdom of Mythic Stories Home Study Course presents clinical applications of folklore and mythology. Through storytelling and lively discussion of the Wizard of OZ, we will explore how favorite stories reflect adult psychological dynamics and offer guidance for those dealing with life-stage transitions.
Course Description

Selections from the reading list

New! Cinematherapy and Inner Process

Film as Dreamscape

Cinematherapy, Film as Dreamscape
Like the images in dreams, films can reveal our inner dynamics. Cinema provides windows to the unconscious. Seeing movies as dreams can help us take ownership of unclaimed resources within. This course demonstrates the use of dream analysis methods with films. These techniques are useful with clients who do not bring dreams, as well as for studying the personal meanings of our own favorite movies.
Course Description

Selections from the reading list

The Inner Life of Holidays

Symbolism and Rituals of Renewal

Symbolism and the Ritual of Renewal
As nights grow longer, festivities stimulate the senses and stir poignant memories. Popular stories, customs, music and images are rich with nostalgia, awakening hopes for fulfillment. Archetypal aspects of such traditions can be guides to personal integration and psychological maturity. This course investigates seasonal issues as opportunities for growth. Instruction includes coming to terms with emotional vulnerability, and self-care for practitioners. The main focus is on autumn and winter events, but other special days are considered as well, in this exploration of the psychological dimensions of gatherings and celebrations.
Course Description

Selections from the reading list

Thresholds of Initiation

Supervision as Mentoring

Charlotte's Web
Threshold of Initiation - Supervision as Mentoring: Our second supervision course draws on Charlotte’s Web to explore the inner life of training and managing others. Supporting those who are acquiring new skills is a delicate task worthy of care and reflection.

Description and Outline of the day

Selections from the reading list

Ethics in Depth Psychology

The Way of Individuation

Johnny Depp, Finding Neverland
Ethics in Depth Psychology: Our third course on ethics focuses on how shifts in our sense of identity can influence decision-making. Developing more complex access to inner states opens the possibility of working with others at deeper levels. This enhanced quality of engagement presents unique ethical challenges.

Description and Outline of the day

Selections from the reading list

Supervision, Encouragement, Inspiration

The Vocation of the Mentor

The Vocation of the Mentor
The Vocation of the Mentor : Drawing upon familiar characters, such as Mary Poppins and Gandalf (in The Lord of the Rings), we focus on finding the most effective methods of supporting and expanding the skills of others and on how to serve as a worthy example of integrity.

Description and Outline of the day

Selections from the reading list

Claiming our Stories

The Gifts of Personal Mythology

Claiming our Stories
Claiming our Stories : Lives have underlying patterns. We will look at maturation as a project of inventing a successful life story, cultivating a vision that nurtures one's best qualities, finding authenticity, and having compassion towards oneself and others.
Description and Outline of the day

Selections from the reading list.

Ethics and Character

A Jungian Perspective

Kay Nielsen, the Trolls were Willing
Ethics and Character: A day on the unconscious dimensions of honor and values. The course looks at the Shadow archetype and challenges of staying accountable for misplaced emotional reactions. Storytelling includes The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe plus scenes from other tales that reflect ethical issues, such as managing personal limitations. This philosophical exploration of integrity is for those who want to work from their best qualities and ideals.

Description and Outline of the day

Selections from the reading list

Invoking the Sage

Choosing to Age Well

Invoking the Sage
Invoking the Sage : Savoring the inner life and connections with others can be the rewards of our later years. We will discuss elder and mentor stories to explore how to plan well for the harvest experience in maturity. Anyone with an interest is welcome. Fulfills Aging and Long-Term Care course requirements.
Description and Outline of the day

Selections from the reading list.

The Beloved of the Soul

Seeking the Inner Union

Beloved of the Soul Seminar
The Beloved of the Soul course shows how the symbolic journey is revealed in classic courtship tales. Love stories from folklore reflect psychological life in amazing detail. Romantic fantasies are a window into the world within the individual. This course goes beyond couple issues to focus on how the inner journey is revealed in classic courtship tales.
Description and Outline of the day

Selections from the reading list.

Movies and the Mythic Imagination

Using Film in Depth Psychology

Movies and the Mythic Imagination Seminar
Movies and the Mythic Imagination Seminar - includes finding key metaphors in movies to deepen understanding of emotional issues, how to discuss popular films to normalize perceptions of problems - and to help evoke personal qualities, such as courage, tenderness, and flexibility.
Description and Outline of the Day

Selections from the reading list

The Symbolism of Fairytales

in Adult Psychology

Symbolism of Fairytales Seminar
Symbolism of Fairytales in Adult Psychology Seminar - Favorite stories from childhood can have subtle influences on adult identity. This course covers how to analyze familiar tales for metaphors rich in psychological insights. Focus is on the Cinderella stories, to show how allegories can reveal elements of the inner life.
Description and Outline of the Day

Selections from the reading list

Finding Your Way Back Home

Finding Your Way Back Home
Finding Your Way Back Home This seminar enters the mythic imagination to explore the journey toward wholeness. We will discuss Hansel & Gretel, and Little Red Riding Hood to see how timeless tales can help in our journeys. This course was previously titled Through the Dark Forest.
Description and Outline of the Day

Selections from the reading list

The Psychology of Creativity

and a Life with the Muses

The Psychology of Creativity Seminar
The Psychology of Creativity Seminar examines universal elements of the imagination - and draws on timeless stories, such as Alice in Wonderland and Robin Hood, to look at unique issues faced by highly creative people. We will discuss blocks and other challenges unique to artistic endeavors.
Description and Outline of the Day

Selections from the reading list

The Soul of Ethics

Claiming Integrity from Within

Raphael, Conestabile Madonna
The Soul of Ethics : At last, an uplifting ethics course. It takes more than a good working knowledge of regulations to put values into practice on a daily basis. The goal is to evoke the essence of integrity. More than a review of rules, this course strives to draw out the best in dedicated practitioners. The focus is on appreciating the values that attract people to the work of helping others.

Description and Outline of the day

Selections from the reading list

The Search for Meaning

through Stories and Psychotherapy

The Search for Meaning Seminar
The Search for Meaning Seminar looks at the great quest stories as guides to finding place and purpose. We will draw insights from the legends of the Holy Grail and discuss how a strong sense of meaning can aid in identity formation.
Description and Outline of the Day

Selections from the reading list

Writing in Therapy Workshops

with Anne Bach

A series of experiential workshops 6 - 9 pm

Writing in Therapy Workshop
These special evening sessions demonstrate using writing for inner exploration. The workshops include brief spontaneous writing activities with discussion of how writing in response to images opens awareness of the stirrings of the unconscious.
Description and Outline of the Day

Selections from the reading list


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