Confrontation with the Unconscious – Jungian Depth Psychology and the Psychedelic Experience

*9 CEs are available for this study group. CE-seeking participants must apply separately for CEs here.

This six-week study explores Scott J. Hill’s Confrontation with the Unconscious: Jungian Depth Psychology and Psychedelic Experience, a rigorous examination of how Jungian depth psychology illuminates the challenges and possibilities of psychedelic experience. Hill traces Jung’s own confrontation with the unconscious—his visions, fantasies, and symbolic eruptions—in relation to psychedelic phenomenology, highlighting parallels between spontaneous encounters with the unconscious and drug-facilitated ones. The study focuses on Hill’s careful treatment of key topics: basic Jungian concepts, the history of psychedelic-enhanced psychotherapy in the 1950s, Jung’s caution that psychedelics may overwhelm the ego with unconscious content, and the ways psychedelic states intersect with trauma, shadow material, psychosis, and transformation. Sessions will also examine Hill’s discussion of the transcendent function—Jung’s framework for integration—and its relevance to difficult psychedelic experiences. By the end of the six weeks, participants will deepen their understanding of how Jungian theory can help frame, contain, and integrate psychedelic experiences, and how these ideas contribute to modern psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy

Required Reading

• Hill, Scott. Confrontation with the Unconscious: Jungian Depth Psychology and Psychedelic Experience. Aeon Books (Amazon)

Learning objectives
By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Identify at least three core Jungian concepts discussed by Hill—such as complexes, shadow, and
   the transcendent function—and explain how each relates to psychedelic experiences.
2. Describe Jung’s concerns about psychedelics overwhelming the ego and summarize Hill’s
   interpretation of these warnings.
3. Compare two examples from the text where psychedelic experiences intersect with trauma,
   shadow material, or psychosis.
4. Explain how Hill applies the transcendent function to the integration of challenging psychedelic
   experiences.
5. Evaluate Hill’s proposed implications for modern psychedelic-enhanced psychotherapy and
   articulate at least two ways Jungian theory may inform contemporary practice.

Instructors

Stacy Meers, MBA, MSW, is a social work scholar and nonprofit consultant with more than two decades of professional experience in technology leadership, systems thinking, and strategic planning. She is currently completing her PhD in Social Work at Saint Louis University, where her work focuses on ethical readiness, innovation, and the integration of emerging fields, including psychedelic-assisted therapies, into social work education and professional practice. Stacy brings a longstanding interest in depth psychology and completed a year of contemplative and transpersonal studies at Naropa University prior to beginning her doctoral training. She is also deeply engaged in Missouri’s Veteran community, supporting programs that enhance access, well-being, and community connection. Stacy’s facilitation blends systems insight, ethical awareness, and reflective practice to create accessible learning experiences for diverse audiences.

Rick Vaughn, Board Member – has been in an intensive study of Jungian thought since 2011 including two years of analysis with a Jungian diplomate analyst.   He has been a video producer of more than 40 Jungian presentations and is a Jung Society of St. Louis Board member.  He is also a teacher of music video for Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, IL.

Simon Rosen, MSW, LCSW, Board Member –is a graduate of Washington University’s G.W. Brown School of Social Work with a Specialization in Family Therapy. He has experience providing individual, family and group therapy in a variety of settings since 1990. He has extensive training in Gestalt Therapy, Play Therapy and is oriented by Jungian Psychology. He has served on the Board of Directors of the C.G. Jung Society of St. Louis since 2017.