Jung Society of WA

Lecture: Friday July 18, 2025
7:00- 8:30 pm
Malignant altruism
Beth Foley
Healthy and benign altruism is the ability to experience sustained and relatively conflict-free pleasure from contributing to the welfare of others. Malignant altruism involves the compulsion to prioritise other’s needs. This form of helping tends to be reinforced by others and society. A long term pattern of such self-sacrifice leads to compassion fatigue, self-estrangement and depression. In clinical practice, many individuals present with a pattern of malignant altruism and many health professionals have a vulnerability for this. Malignant altruism has been linked to an inability to mourn, a lack of attunement of the caregiver in early life and describes the persona that develops in defense of this loss. Beth will discuss the unique analytic work required for individuals who have developed malignant altruism as a persona. The process of moving malignant altruism to benign altruism will involve a reconnection with the Self, learning how to tolerate vulnerability, conscious grieving and the development of a new way of being with others. For those with extreme malignant altruism, this work will feel catastrophic and a strong analytic container, that can eventually be introjected, will be essential for success. A weakening of the malignant attachment and a strengthening of the individual’s ability to feel contained, will serve to loosen this pathological self-care system and facilitate depth in interpersonal and intrapsychic connections.
Dr Beth Foley completed analytical training with the CG Jung Institute of ANZSJA, holds the President role of this organisation and is in private practice as a Jungian Analyst in Coffs Harbour. Beth has practiced as a clinical psychologist for over 20 years. Her PhD researched the therapeutic effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapies in psychiatric and oncology settings and resulted in a number of academic papers. She has lectured at several universities on health psychology, existential issues and Jungian psychoanalysis over many years.
Venue: Cottesloe Civic Centre Lesser Hall
Corner of Napier Street and Broome Street, Cottesloe
Cost: $10 (members), $15 Concession $20 (general)
C.G. Jung Society of WA (Inc) www.jungwa.org
Correspondence and enquiries to the President:
Brittain Garrett phone: 0417 958 658 email: britt.garrett@westnet.com.au

Lecture: Friday August 15, 2025
7:00pm- 8:30 pm
Individuation and the Symbolism of the Self
Kane Parsons
This presentation delves into the psychological concept of Symbolism and the Symbolic expression of the Self. Elaborating on some fundamental concepts in Analytical Psychology, this presentation explores how native symbols that arise in our dreams, active imaginations and even visions might serve as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious mind, playing a crucial role in the process of individuation—the journey toward wholeness. Jung's concept of the Self as the totality of the psyche, encompassing both conscious and unconscious elements, is examined (with some examples) alongside Eastern philosophical parallels such as Atman in Vedanta.
Kane Parsons is a Jungian Analyst (Diploma Candidate of the C.G. Jung Institute) with a Master in Counselling (Notre Dame Fremantle) and is an experienced Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner (AdvDip). He is in private practice in Dunsborough and Fremantle and has been in the healing professions for over 20 years first beginning his career as a teacher of Eastern Philosophy after immersing himself in his early 20s into full time study of philosophy and Yoga in India before moving into the field of Naturopathic Medicine practice, research and education. Most recently he has become actively engaged in bringing these disciplines together as a Jungian Analyst and group facilitator.
Kane is a member of both the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia PACFA (Reg. Clinical) and the Australian Traditional Medicine Society ATMS (Naturopathy, Nutrition and Herbal Medicine). Kane enjoys mountain biking, basketball, yoga, bass guitar, spending time with his family and in nature.
Venue: Cottesloe Civic Centre Lesser Hall
Corner of Napier Street and Broome Street, Cottesloe
Cost: $10 (members), $15 Concession $20 (general)
C.G. Jung Society of WA (Inc) www.jungwa.org
Correspondence and enquiries to the President:
Brittain Garrett phone: 0417 958 658 email: britt.garrett@westnet.com.au

Lecture: Friday September 26, 2025
7:00- 8:30 pm
Ghosts in the Family
How the secrets and scandals of our forefathers can influence us
Allan Guggenbühl
Everyone suspected it, but no one dared to ask: grandfather played a dubious role during the second world war and Great-Uncle William did not behave and therefore was expelled to NZ. The history of families often contains behaviours, which are hushed up. Although we might wish to forget, the stories of our forefathers and – mothers might still have an impact on us and effect the well-being and understanding of the living family members. The offenses, deeds but also the successes of forefathers leave traces in the family psyche. Wounds, Complexes but also ambitions are often the result from the demeanour of our forefathers. The forefather leaves an imprint, without us being aware of their influence.
In the lecture the dynamics of family history will be described and suggestions will be made on how to deal with family histories
Venue: Cottesloe Civic Centre Lesser Hall. Corner of Napier Street and Broome Street, Cottesloe
Cost: $10 (members), $15 Concession $20 (general)
Workshop: Saturday 27 September, 2025 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Ghosts in the Family
In the workshop we will share family histories and discuss the mythic element which can be detect in them.
Venue: Cottesloe Civic Centre
Cost: $120 members, $130 Concession, $140 Non-Members
To register contact the president.
Allan Guggenbühl, Prof. Dr. Psychologist FSP Psychotherapist and Jungian Analyst is a well-known writer and psychotherapist in Switzerland (www.allanguggenbuehl.com). Lecturer at the C.G Jung Institute in Zürich, ISAP and other institutions. Prof. emeritus of the University of Education of the State of Zürich, former Director of the institute of Conflict Management and inventor of Mythodrama (www.ikm.ch). Prior to becoming a psychologist Guggenbühl was a classical guitarist, trained by Manuel Lopez Ramos in Mexico.
C.G. Jung Society of WA (Inc) www.jungwa.org
Correspondence and enquiries to the President:
Brittain Garrett phone: 0417 958 658 email: britt.garrett@westnet.com.au