Redeeming Narcissism: Jung and the Paradox of Self-Worth

The Jungian Psychoanalytic Association & JPA

This 8 weeks course will combine a personal and experiential standpoint with a general approach, then pivot to a Jungian view of narcissism.

Redeeming NarcissismJung and the Paradox of Self-Worth Sponsored by The Jungian Psychoanalytic Associationtaught byMorgan Stebbins, D.Min, LMSW, LP, Certified Jungian Analys

Course time: 8 Weekly meetings by ZoomTuesdays: 7:00 - 8:30pmSeptember 22- November 10 2026 General admission: $350.00 (for 8 weeks course)Returning Attendees fee: $300.00 (for those who have taken Morgan Stebbins' course previously)10 CE Units available for qualifying attendeesFor more information please email: <a href="https://www.morgansteb@gmail.com" title="https://www.morgansteb@gmail.com" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">morgansteb@gmail.com</a>

Is there anything new to say about narcissism? Do we need yet another course on the social evils of narcissism, on avoiding the dangers of the narcissist, or the difficulties of the narcissistic psychoanalytic patient, or on a critique of the narcissistic age we live in?I believe the answer is yes, and this course aims to redeem Narcissus. In doing so, we will use the tools that Jung developed and rely on his deep understanding of the core dynamic of narcissism. We will see that Narcissus’ story is not merely a tale of bad behavior, of morality transgressed, or of “I told you so.” Rather it represents a universal psychological dynamic the aim of which is to develop an examined life and in so doing, to become more oneself.Narcissism is perhaps the least understood category in the mental health world today. In deploying this label, we typically point to someone else in horror. We do not ask about their suffering, explore their inner dynamic, or even more radically, look at ourselves as players in the dynamic. In doing so we forget Jung’s adage that “Projections change the world into the replica of one's own unknown face.” (Aion)The paradox is that self-regard is mixed with other-regard, and the other is both “others out there” and the other, or unknown face, of our own unconscious material. To make matters worse, the myth of Narcissus points to curses from the gods! How do we understand that in modern terms? Furthermore, the modern clinical understanding is that narcissism is untreatable, and yet narcissism was recently almost removed from the DSM as a diagnosis. What gives?This course will combine a personal and experiential standpoint with a more general approach - we will examine the field, ourselves, and clinical practice. After looking at the colloquial and DSM perspectives, we will review the history of the term and the work of Freud, Kohut, Kernberg and others in defining the topic.We will then pivot and take a Jungian view of narcissism as an image. We will consider the type of suffering involved and the dynamics of the eponymous myth. At this point we can explore Jung’s beautiful and far-reaching understanding of narcissism; that it is the result of an unprojected soul-image. This opens an understanding of the subject, the field of relationship, our own path of self-regard, and provides a whole new approach to treatment options. Fall Trimester Learning Objectives:• Attendees will learn understand the development of the term narcissism.• Attendees will learn to survey common colloquial and therapeutic views and treatments.• Attendees will encounter a more personal experience of the dynamic of Narcissus.• Attendees will understand the radical Jungian view of narcissism as an image, specifically as a soul image that has not been projected• Attendees will learn the therapeutic options that emerge from this dynamic and image Morgan Stebbins, M.Div., D.Min, is a supervising analyst and former Director of Training at the Jungian Psychoanalytic Association in New York, where he also maintains a private practice. He has studied and practiced contemplative traditions for 40 years beginning with his residency at the SF Zen Center monastery in the late 70s. In seminary, he studied Christian contemplatives, then yoga, and later teacher training. His abiding interest is in helping people live a spiritual life in modern times. 10 CE Units/ semester available for Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Psychoanalysts, Licensed Psychologists and Licensed Creative Arts Therapists.Jungian Psychoanalytic Association is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed Psychoanalysts - #P-0025Jungian Psychoanalytic Association is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed Social Workers - #SW-0438Jungian Psychoanalytic Association is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed Psychologists - #PSY-0097Jungian Psychoanalytic Association is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed Creative Arts Therapists - #CAT-0089

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Redeeming Narcissism: Jung and the Paradox of Self-Worth

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