Lori Goldrich
Journal of Sandplay Therapy
Volume 27, Issue 1, 2018
Keywords
Jungian, sandplay, active imagination, trauma, depression, childhood abuse, dissociation, anxiety, psychic pregnancy, birth, clinical example, female, adult, woman
Abstract
This paper discusses the process of active imagination and sandplay therapy in light of the writings of Elie Humbert (1988), a French Jungian analyst. The process of transformation depicted in images of psychic pregnancy and birth emerge in such processes in the context of analysis, analytic psychotherapy, or sandplay therapy. Such fertile images can symbolize something pregnant and being born, or something being filled with meaning, in relationship to a person’s intrapsychic and interpersonal world. A clinical case is presented to demonstrate how sandplay, within the context of a psychotherapeutic container, can assist a patient in processing and integrating traumatic material from early childhood abuse and lead to a reduction in symptoms, such as dissociation, anxiety, and depression. Patient “Eva” moved from places of psychological deadness, depression and trauma into experiences of true aliveness, embodied experience of psychic pregnancy, new birth, and transformation. Symbols of transformation emerged in her sandplay process and provided a nonverbal channel to access and metabolize the unconscious contents rooted in her traumatic past. Sandplay in the context of an adult analytical therapy became a temenos for her healing and rite of passage in becoming a mother of her first child.
German / Deutsch
Psychische Schwangerschaft, Geburt und Verwandlung
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Dieser Artikel diskutiert den Prozess der aktiven Imagination und Sandspieltherapie im Licht der Schriften von Elie Humbert (1988). Ein klinischer Fall wird präsentiert, um zu demonstrieren, wie Sandspieltherapie einem Patienten bei der Verarbeitung und Integration von traumatischem frühem Kindsmissbrauch hilft, und wie es zu einer Verringerung der Symptome führte.
SCHLÜSSELWÖRTER: Jungianer, Sandspiel, aktive Imagination, Trauma, Depression, Missbrauch, Dissoziation, Angst, psychische Schwangerschaft, Geburt, klinisches Fallbeispiel, weiblich, Erwachsene, Frau
Spanish / Español
Embarazo Psíquico, Nacimiento y Transformación
RESUMEN: Este artículo discute el proceso de la imaginación activa y la terapia de sandplay a desde la perspectiva de las obras de Elie Humbert (1988). Se presenta un caso clínico para demostrar cómo la terapia sandplay puede ayudar al paciente a procesar e integrar material traumático del abuso infantil temprano y conducir a reducción en los síntomas.
PALABRAS SIGNIFICATIVAS: Jungian, sandplay, imaginación activa, trauma, depresión, abuso, disociación, ansiedad, embarazo psíquico, nacimiento, ejemplo clínico, hembra, adulto, mujer
French / Français
Grossesse Psychique, Naissance et Transformation
RÉSUMÉ: Cet article discute du processus de l'imagination active et de la thérapie de sandplay dans la perspective des écrits d'Elie Humbert (1988). Un cas clinique est présenté pour démontrer comment la thérapie sandplay peut aider un patient à traiter et intégrer des traumatismes. une réduction des symptômes.
MOTS CLÉS: Jungian, sandplay, imagination active, traumatisme, dépression, abus, dissociation, anxiété, grossesse psychique, naissance, exemple clinique, féminin, adulte, femme
Portuguese / Português
Gravidez Psíquica, Nascimento e Transformação
RESUMO: Este artigo discute o processo de imaginação ativa e terapia de sandplay à luz dos escritos de Elie Humbert (1988). Um caso clínico é apresentado para demonstrar como a terapia do sandplay pode auxiliar um paciente no processamento e integração de material traumático de abuso infantil que conduziu á uma redução nos sintomas.
PALAVRAS CHAVE: Junguiano, sandplay, imaginação ativa, trauma, depressão, abuso, dissociação, ansiedade, gravidez psíquica, parto, exemplo clínico, sexo feminino, adulta, mulher
Suggested Citation
Goldrich, L. (2018). Psychic pregnancy, birth, and transformation. Journal of Sandplay Therapy, 27(1). https://doi.org/10.61711/jst.2018.27.1.862
