By Cathy Lebeaux, MA, MS, LPC, BC-DMT
While therapists are very familiar with Carl Jung’s concept of archetypes, which he described as embodying universal patterns of behavior, how can we explain this concept to our clients and how can it help them deal with moments of conflicting emotions.
If you mention the archetypes of Saboteur or Artist to a client they may assume that the Saboteur archetype symbolizes something negative and the Artist archetype something positive, but that’s not true. Every archetype is a neutral guide that allows us to look at ourselves and identify areas where we are in the negative or “Shadow” side (a term identified by Carl Jung), or the light or positive aspect of this archetypal pattern.
According to Caroline Myss in her brilliant book Sacred Contracts, at different points in our lives, we all adopt behaviors that align with and shift easily between 12 core archetypes – how normal is that! Four of those core archetypes include the survival archetypes of the Victim, Saboteur, Prostitute, and Child.
The Saboteur archetype teaches us the lessons of self-esteem and choice. Can we overcome the obstacles and barriers in our lives and feel better and more empowered because we choose to challenge ourselves? The Saboteur is all about how we think and the choices we make. Do they empower us and increase our self-esteem or not? When we are feeling overcome or disempowered, Anxiety is often associated with this archetype.
The Victim archetype can identify for us either the areas in our life where we feel powerful and authentic or where we feel disempowered or helpless. When we become aware of the reactions and behaviors that we habituate our victimization, this awareness can teaches us that we are much more powerful than we know. In the light, it is a call to action and an opportunity to feel compassion and empathy for ourselves and others. Unfortunately, when we play the victim unconsciously from the Shadow side -- depression, dependency, and substance abuse are often identified with this archetype. Collectively, when enough people move from the Shadow into the light (or vice versa), change on a large scale can happen – i.e. the #MeToo movement.
The Prostitute archetype is about self-worth and how much we value ourselves. The Prostitute is an archetype about passion and feelings. What are we drawn to, called to do, and do we have the strength to go for that dream?
There are 6 forms of the Child archetype. We all have one primary form that teaches us the lessons of personal responsibility and self-sufficiency required for adulthood. Many people in therapy identify with the Wounded Child archetype. For them, they identify with their childhood and live in a Shadow place of blame, shame, and old wounds and resentments. In the light, the gift of this archetype is wanting to create a happy, healthy adult life for yourself and your family.
Myss’ book identifies the 12 houses that these archetypes live in, so while they can affect all aspects of our lives, there is usually one area where each is most influential. For your client, is it: ego/identity, what they value most, communication, family, creativity and joy, career and daily life, key relationships, what other people have, spirituality, highest potential, connection to soul and global communities, or the Great Mystery?
Below are a few examples of how to connect archetypes and expressive arts therapy tools like sand tray or guided imagery.
Sand Tray
“Sand tray is great for figuring out relationships, solving problems, and trauma."
Sand tray therapy allows clients to create miniature scenes of the things they are struggling with in a safe and confined space, which is particularly important in trauma work. Sand tray therapy is also very hands-on and tactile. It literally gives clients the ability to gain some perspective on their issue by offering them a view from above and below as well as 360-degrees. By moving the pieces and/or yourself around the scene it gives you different information. Clients can bring in helper figurines like a warrior, animal, or a piece that represents a certain archetype, person, issue, or event of meaning or of difficulty to them.
Working with this technique, good questions to ask are as follows: What does the Victim see? Would the Warrior see it differently? How does seeing this scene through the eyes of different archetypes change things or help? What happens if your figurines change places? What if you moved them closer or further apart? What needs to be buried in the sand or removed? What needs to be added?
Collectively, when enough people move from the Shadow into the light (or vice versa), change on a large scale can happen – i.e. the #MeToo movement.
Guided Imagery & Safe Place for Trauma Survivors
Unlike Sand Tray therapy, which is limited to the use of tangible objects, Guided imagery allows clients to create a world that is limited only by their imaginations. With guided imagery, clients can explore a nightmare or dream and change its outcome or go on a hunt to resolve a particular issue or problem that still has pieces of information missing.
For stable clients who are struggling or stuck with aspects of abuse, pairing the EMDR “Safe Place” exercise with guided imagery can lead to greater relaxation at the start of a session and greater openness to exploring difficult things throughout the session.
Using this method in my practice, I ask them to describe in detail their Safe Place surroundings and then create two seats across from each other. Using a CBT 1-10 scale, I ask them how anxious or scared they are feeling and we agree ahead of time what number is too high and we stop.
I ask them to invite a particular archetype and have it sit across from them. If they are scared or anxious, I will ask if they want to bring in a helper to sit with them and the archetype. The ground rules are that this is their world and only guides that come to help them and be of service to them are allowed. They are there by invitation and can be asked to leave at any time. I coach them through questions designed to understand what is triggering them, where they are stuck, or whatever needs closure. They finish by thanking the archetype or guide, watching it leave, and then I close the practice by bringing them out of their Safe Place by opening their eyes.
About the Author:
Cathy Lebeaux, MA, MS, LPC, BC-DMT, is a Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist as well as a Certified Archetype Consultant for Caroline Myss’ Sacred Contracts. She has a private practice in Mt. Pleasant, SC, the Psychotherapy & Expressive Arts Center, LLC, as well as being adjunct faculty for Antioch University NE. Read more about Cathy HERE.
