“….the life of an older person is characterised by a contraction of forces, by the affirmation of what has been achieved, and by the curtailment of further growth. His neurosis comes from him clinging to a youthful attitude which is now out of season..” CW16: §75

This seminar will explore analytic work with older clients dealing with trauma (including transgenerational trauma through the lens of analytical psychology and Jung’s call to the enjoyment of life’s afternoon via regarding death as life’s goal. As one of the few personality theories which looks at later life - most theories with which we are familiar appear to end at earlier stages of development - it will incorporate case material which reflects Jung’s premise that personality development and change do not cease. Others will be invited to bring other cases on Sunday.

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Ken Blanton is a Jungian analyst currently working in both private practice and palliative care as a specialist psychotherapist, working with terminally ill patients and palliative professionals across the multi-disciplinary team. Having practiced in all aspects of the healthcare sector, including acute care, mental health, and palliative care, Ken's current interests are focused on the individuation process in later life, the role of psycho-spirituality in experiences of pain; dreams, hallucinations and the alchemical process at the end of life; and the evolution of death as an archetype. 

Jung, C.G., Collected Works, Vol. 7 The Personal and the Collective (or Transpersonal) Unconscious, §§97 – 120

Jung, C.G., Collected Works, Vol. 8 The Soul and Death, §§ 796 – 815

Jung, C.G., Collected Works, Vol. 16 The Aims of Psychotherapy, §§ 66 – 113

Jung, C.G., (1965), Memories, Dreams, Reflections. New York: Vintage Books

Jung, C.G., (1975), Letters, ed. Gerhard Adler & Aniela Jaffé. vol. II. Princeton: Princeton University Press

Prétat, Jane, (1994), Coming to Age: The Croning Years and Late-Life Transformation. Toronto: Inner City Books

Wheelwright, Jane, (1987), “Old Age and Death,” Betwixt and Between, ed. Louise Mahdi. LaSalle IL: Open Court Press

Zoja, Luigi, (1989), “Working against Dorian Gray: analysis and the old,” Psychopathology