In light of our contemporary reliance on technology, turning towards the inner voice of the non-human animal along with outer relationships with animals can be healing and compensatory to the ways in which many of us live day-to-day in the contemporary world. Building on the material in the above lecture, the workshop day will explore the ways in which we personally experience non-human animals – in dreams, synchronistic experiences, and inner and outer relationships. There will be ample time for sharing, discussion and active imagination/journal experiences.

Learning Objectives:

1) Synthesize theory related to the topic with common issues in clinical practice.
2) Engage in dialogues, small group, and writing exercises to demonstrate intellectual and practical integration of theory.
3) Develop empathic communication skills through dialogue in group process.

Presenter Bio:

Thomas Elsner, J.D., M.A. is a Jungian Analyst, certified Psychoanalyst with the California Medical Board, the C.G. Jung Study Center of Southern California, the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts, and Faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute. He has taught courses on Depth Psychology and Folklore for over 10 years at Pacifica as well as internationally. Trained as a Jungian Analyst in Zurich, Switzerland, Thomas has been in practice since 1998. Prior to that he worked as an attorney. His upcoming book to be published by Texas A&M is on Coleridge and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.