James Hillman on Archetypal Psychotherapy
by James Hillman
The founder of Archetypal Psychology minces no words in critiquing current directions in psychotherapy, and shares his vision for a a more creative, soulful, and imaginative approach.
If you’re a student or professional in the field of psychology and you’ve ever wondered, “Hey, where’s the excitement and imagination in psychology?” you’ve got a friend in James Hillman. In this fascinating interview, Dr. Hillman offers an inspiring critique of what he calls a “very peculiar field” and passionately expresses his longing for a psychology that enjoys and respects the psyche rather than fears and confines it.

Hillman, a self-described “renegade psychologist,” argues for revisioning psychology in a way that encourages people to get curious about the psyche rather than pathologize it. He argues that the more we embrace surprise and wonder and the less we focus on rational understanding, the more we will enjoy being alive. He speaks fervently about the importance of imagination and dreams, while encouraging clients and therapists alike to cultivate a sense of awe.

With the current emphasis on evidence-based, quick-fix approaches to mental health, Hillman’s call to slow down, pay attention, and make time for the soul to come out of its shell is truly radical. If you find yourself feeling heavy and dispirited about the field and long for a more soulful and creative approach to psychotherapy, spend some time with James Hillman on this video and you’re sure to feel inspired, liberated, and rejuvenated.

In Depth
Specs
Bios
Be prepared to be both challenged and inspired when you watch this video. Dr. Hillman doesn’t hold back here in his critique of modern psychology when he says things about psychology like it’s a “crazy invention” that makes people “calm, passive, and stupid.”

From watching this video, you will:

• Gain an understanding of archetypal psychotherapy
• Develop ways to think imaginatively about mental illness and how to relate to clients’ symptoms with curiosity and awe
• Learn to ask new kinds of questions that point clients in the direction of greater enjoyment and liberation.

Length of video: 1:08:00

English subtitles available

Individual ISBN-10 #: 1-60124-228-X

Group ISBN-10 #: 1-60124-229-8

Group ISBN-13 #: 978-1-60124-229-7

James Hillman, PhD, is considered to be the founder of archetypal psychology. He is a psychologist, a leading scholar in Jungian and post-Jungian thought and is recognized as one of the most important radical critics and innovators of psychology. He is the author of over a dozen books, including the best-seller, The Soul’s Code: In Search of Character and Calling and We've Had a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy - And the World's Getting Worse (with Michael Ventura).

J. Fraser Pierson, PhD, Interviewer, is a licensed psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Southern Oregon University, and the co-editor of The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology: Leading Edges in Theory, Research, and Practice.