Life Coaching (Jungian)

The Hero's Journey is a universal narrative structure that describes the typical path that heroes take in stories and myths. It was first identified by Joseph Campbell, a famous mythologist, who observed that many of the world's ancient myths and legends followed a similar pattern. The Hero's Journey consists of several stages, including the call to adventure, crossing the threshold, facing challenges and obstacles, slaying dragons, meeting mentors and allies, facing the ultimate test or ordeal, and finally, returning home as a transformed person. It an invaluable coaching framework for helping clients navigate major life changes and transitions. Drawing upon the different stages of the journey, I support my clients in identifying their goals, overcoming obstacles, and ultimately moving toward their desired outcome. I help them integrate their experiences and insights into their daily lives. Overall, the Hero's Journey can be a powerful tool to help clients achieve their goals and navigate major life transitions.

This approach to coaching is based on the theories of Jung, who believed that the human psyche contains archetypes, or universal patterns of thought and behaviour that are expressed through symbols and images. By working with archetypes and symbols, individuals are able to gain a greater understanding of their unconscious motivations and patterns of behaviour and explore new insights and strategies for life. Utilising archetype cards and symbol cards can be incorporated into Jungian coaching as tools to aid in this exploration. The client may be asked to choose a card that resonates with them or that represents a particular issue or person they are struggling with. The coach and client can then explore the symbolism of the card and how it relates to the client's thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Clients may engage in artistic expression, journaling or dialogue with archetypal figures or symbols that are representative of unlived/unrealised potentials within themselves.

Jung referred to the shadow as that thing a person has, “no wish to be”. In Jungian coaching, shadow work refers to the process of exploring and tending to the unconscious repressed, denied, or disowned aspects of the psyche. These components, come together to form our shadow and are an accumulation of the unlived parts of who we are that have been forbidden by cultural & societal expectations. The shadow can be likened to a monster we lock in the basement for fear they might one day escape. Any disowned aspect of our psyche if not tended to and brought into balance will try and express itself and break free in destructive and chaotic ways. We experience this when we self sabotage or when we catch ourselves saying, “I don’t know what came over me”. Through shadow work a client can better understand themselves, their motivations, and behaviours, which can lead to greater self-awareness and personal growth. In addition to personal growth, shadow work can also help clients to improve their relationships and communication skills. By acknowledging and integrating their shadow aspects, clients can restore a balance to their emotional regulation and become more accepting and compassionate toward themselves and others, which can lead to healthier and more fulfilling relationships.

Individuation is a central concept in Jungian psychology and coaching. It refers to the process of achieving a sense of wholeness and completeness. Jungian coaching aims to help clients move toward individuation, which involves becoming one's true self by exploring and integrating all aspects of the self, including the unconscious. This process is not about conforming to societal norms, but rather embracing one's unique qualities and living authentically. Through Jungian coaching techniques and interventions, clients uncover hidden aspects of themselves and begin to integrate them into conscious awareness, restoring balance. Overall, individuation is a process of self-discovery and self-acceptance that can lead to greater purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in life.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality assessment tool that was developed by Katherine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers in the early 20th century. Katherine Briggs was interested in the work of Carl Jung who developed the theory of psychological types, and she sought to develop a practical tool for identifying personality types based on his work. The MBTI was first published in 1943. The assessment has stood the test of time, it has been translated into more than 30 languages and is used by individuals and organizations in over 100 countries. Whilst the assessment is well established, detailed and informative, it is not a diagnostic test, but rather, a psychometric ‘indicator’. I utilise the MBTI in my coaching practice and find it particularly applicable to clients who wish to explore their relationship, their career or future ambitions, as well as for ongoing personal and professional development. Clients receive a comprehensive computerised report on their type to take home to sustain their long-term growth & development.

The Enneagram is a personality type indicator that describes nine different personality types, each with their own patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. I draw on the Enneagram as a framework for understanding the unconscious patterns that influence our behaviour and limiting beliefs. In Jungian Coaching, we approach the Enneagram as a means of exploring the deeper motivations and fears that underlie our personality traits. In my coaching practice, I use the Enneagram to help clients identify their Enneagram type, as well as their core motivations and fears. By understanding their Enneagram type, clients can gain insight into their patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, and can begin to see how these patterns may be limiting their growth and potential. I also explore with the client the shadow aspects of their Enneagram type. Through this, clients can gain insight into their own patterns of self-sabotage or limiting beliefs, and can begin to work towards greater self-awareness and integration. Clients receive a comprehensive computerised report on their type to take home to sustain their long-term growth & development.