Why ISAP?

Analytical Psychology, taught at ISAPZURICH, was founded by C.G. Jung (1875-1961). It belongs to the psychodynamic and depth psychological schools in which the unconscious plays a central role. It originally developed out of Freud’s psychoanalysis, with a special focus on the individual, i.e., on the tension between individuation, social integration and relationship to the super-personal, and between consciousness and the unconscious and the dynamics and challenges arising from it; on the inner conflicts between independence and dependence, ideal and reality, need for closeness and for distance; on the individual personality characteristics; and on the current mental state, suffering, and social and interpersonal problems.

Psychological problems are understood on the one hand as disorders to be remedied, and on the other hand as a necessity and impulse toward personal development. The therapeutic task is therefore to bring a standstill back into flow and to question constricting ideas and self-images with a view to greater authenticity and creativity. It is designed to promote awareness and self-reflection, both in relation to concrete external problems in everyday life and in relation to disturbing internal patterns of thought and behavior. The Analytical Psychology of C.G. Jung distinguishes between the collective and the personal unconscious. It considers archetypes and complexes as psychic factors that co-determine human beings and their relationship patterns. It also recognizes the potential for transformation in relationship conflicts, undesirable developments and psychological disorders.

Analytical Psychology is transculturally oriented, with the basic assumption that people of all cultures, religions, social classes and educational backgrounds have common basic experiences, albeit each in their own language and way of experiencing, and that they face similar questions about life and meaning. These questions are reflected in stories, ideas, rituals and customs as well as in myths and fairy tales of their respective cultures. Such commonalities are complemented by the emerging theory of cultural complexes within Analytical Psychology.

Key areas:

In the teaching of theory, students acquire the ability to work competently, ethically and responsibly as analytic psychotherapists in the clinical setting and in their own practice. These skills are tested in written papers, thirteen examinations, and several interviews with three senior analysts who are members of the Admissions Committee.

Key areas in the acquisition of knowledge and skills are:

• Developmental psychology concepts that affect the entire life span
• Complexes: their impact and emergence in early relationship experiences
• Attachment patterns
• Psychological understanding of symbols: Interpretation of dreams, especially their compensatory and developmental significance; engagement with myths and fairy tales; promotion of imaginative and artistic forms of self-expression; picture interpretation and therapeutic use of pictures
• Psychopathology
• Psychiatry: DSM, ICD-10, introduction to ICD-11, clinical vignettes and therapeutic approaches
• Fundamentals of Analytical Psychology: basic concepts of C.G. Jung and their further development
• Word Association Experiment: self-experience, application, evaluation as a diagnostic tool for identifying complexes
• Personality typology: knowledge of Jungian typology with the four functions of consciousness and two basic attitudes
• Psychodynamic disorder and therapy concepts: trauma, dissociative disorders, personality and identity disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, stress and stress-related disorders.
• Research reports from emerging areas relevant to Analytical Psychology such as neuroscience, social and environmental problems, and cultural complexes.

In addition to the teaching of theory, personal development (training analysis) and supervision (individual and in group) are of particular importance throughout the CH program. They serve the individuation and the development of the students' awareness of their shadow sides, avoidance patterns, wounds and personal resources.

Prospective psychotherapists gain adequate knowledge of conscious and unconscious psychological processes and recognize their own possibilities and limitations, as well as transference and countertransference phenomena whose potential they learn to reflect in the context of the therapeutic process.

In addition, they learn diagnostics and the setting of indications, and acquire the ability to clarify treatment goals together with the patient. In the individual and group supervision sessions (case colloquia), students learn to present and reflect on the knowledge they have acquired and their practical therapeutic skills.

The CH Program in Analytical Psychology is currently carried by ASP as the responsible organization. The ASP's mission statement includes the integrity of the postgraduate education in psychotherapy: theory, self-experience and supervised clinical practice must methodologically form a coherent whole, which is the case in the training at ISAPZURICH. Likewise, ASP represents the goal of quality assurance, ethics and scientific basis of the postgraduate training in a culture of exchange and cooperation, which are fundamental to ISAPZURICH.

In the beginning was the exodus, leaving an untenable situation to avoid loss of soul, thereby allowing ISAPZURICH to preserve the uniqueness of the Zurich full-time immersion training program.

In earlier times the sojourn to Switzerland to see CG Jung, Marie-Louise von Franz and Jolande Jacobi was not always straightforward since getting to the middle of Europe could be a challenge. And then to be in analysis, focusing on one’s own unconscious material, at the very center of analytical psychology required time and seclusion. It is no different today. As in the metamorphosis inherent in the chrysalis, there is a struggle to become a butterfly. ISAPZurich is a community where paradoxes, contradictions and tension of opposites, which contribute to one’s unfolding, are held. It is a vessel offering rootedness to support open exploration. Adhering to the original concept of analytic training as set down by Jung and his early colleagues, ISAPZURICH, offers a rich variety of lectures and seminars during two 14-week semesters each year.

The only full-time training in the world requiring residence in Zurich, ISAP’s specialty lies in the opportunity to sink into the genius loci of the city; to join an international community of like-minded seekers and scholars; to be stimulated and challenged by a wide array of renowned Swiss and international analysts and researchers; to be mentored and trained by Zurich-trained analysts, to be steeped in the unconscious and following a deep tradition of immersion training, (colloquia, supervision, expressive therapies, experiential seminars); to have the opportunity for a once-in-a-life time transformational experience.

ISAPZURICH provides a flexible learning environment that contains diversity, promotes self-development and growth and requires self-reflection and self-determination, based on conscious, but equally important, on unconscious input. In the style of European academic freedom, very little is mandated and a lot is on offer.

ISAPZURICH is the non-profit educational arm of the Association of Graduates in Analytical Psychology Zurich (AGAP), one of the founding and still one of the largest member groups of the International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP), the worldwide umbrella group of recognition for Jungian Analysts and Analytical Psychologists. AGAP is committed to post-graduate level, full-time immersion in Analytical Psychology in Zürich—be it for professional or personal purposes. The Swiss Bureau for Health (BAG) also recognizes the CH-program of ISAPZURICH, which runs under the responsibility of the Association for Swiss Psychotherapy (ASP), which assures a high quality of ethical and academic standards within a culture of exchange and cooperation which are in any case fundamental to ISAPZURICH.

Working as a Jungian Psychoanalyst is not something we do. It is something we are. And we believe firmly that the training program must allow a time for reflection and experimentation, free from other obligations so that the candidate can follow the leading of the soul (the psyche) to grow into the person they are meant to become.

Many experiential seminars give the beginning student a controlled environment in which to begin an interaction with the unconscious, bringing up personal experience/reflections which can be worked on further in the analytic setting with an experienced training analyst. The experimental seminars are supplemented with academic courses, explaining the Jungian theory as well as the scientific underpinnings of what the candidate is experiencing. Time is also given to discussion with the analysts, but mainly time for deep sharing of experience with fellow candidates, walking, for awhile, the same path.

Once the Propedeuticum Examinations and initial work with symbols are completed, emphasis changes to beginning the work of a Jungian psychoanalyst and the life of the diploma candidate changes to beginning work with clients under the supervision of experienced and specifically trained supervising analysts. Some students choose at this time to return to their home countries but still returning for some time each semester to Zurich and to ISAP.

We are a hub, reaching out to over 20 countries, with students and visiting guest lecturers coming together to learn, share, and following the path laid out individually for each.

Zurich is an upmarket banking city and the financial capital of Switzerland. It is often labeled as one of the most expensive cities in the world and is famous for luxurious life-styles, high-end shopping and fancy chocolates. So why come to Zurich to immerse in depth psychology and a search for meaning?

Partly it is the setting. Sitting right on Lake Zurich, with the waters of the River Limmat running through it, it is at the foot of the Swiss Alps. Zurich is ranked as one of the best cities to live in the world, being the largest city in Switzerland and offering a stellar public transportation system, which supports urbanization steeped in centuries of history and cultural. But again, why Zurich for soulful exploration?

It’s also about the spirit of the place. Here you can relive different worlds and ages at the 50+ museums and 100 art galleries. Get to know Old Town on both sides of the Limmat, including the enigmatic Niederdorf on the east side of the river. Swim in the lake or bike around it. Revel in the architecture of a city permanently settled for over 2,000 years. Zurich was founded by the Romans, who in 15 BC, called it Turicum.

In addition, Zurich has a certain genius loci particularly supporting the depth of introspection, introversion, solidity, slower pace, circumambulation, mystery, symbolism and creativity, in short, the basic tenets of analytical psychology. Come steep yourself, once in your life, in a once-in-a-life-time experience.

A defining attribute of Switzerland is that it is at the heart of things! Situated in central Europe, bordered by Germany to the north, Italy to the south, France to the west, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, you will be strategically located to expand your horizons more than you can imagine. The geographical divide the Alps provide heighten the sense of opportunity, since visitors experience clearly the German-French-Italian-Romansh speaking areas, not only by language but also by flora and fauna, culture and tradition. In addition to this sense of having four-countries-in-one, fully one quarter of the 8,5 million residents are foreigners adding richness in diversity.

During your residency studies you can visit top destinations and attractions, natural and cultural. The list is almost unending and because of the national rail system, nearly everything is accessible without having to own a car. Websites like www.myswitzerland.com as well as brochures at the Zurich main train station can assist you and boost your appetite for exploration.

In addition to general tourism, Switzerland is steeped in analytical psychology history, in places like Ascona, Basel, Bollingen, Eranos, Küsnacht and, of course, Zurich. You will be able to visit, for instance, The Psychology Club in Zurich, Jung’s Bollingen Tower and the Jung House Museum in Küsnacht or take a tour of Jung’s childhood hometown, Basel. Over the course of your studies you will get to know the culture and traditions that helped form Jung which can deepen your understanding of his psychology.