Introduction to Jungian Psychology

Jungian Psychology

This 7-class online course is the best introduction available to the fundamental principles of Jungian Psychology.
Carl Jung is regarded as one of the pioneer explorers of the human psyche. What differentiated him from others is that he recognized that as meaning-seeking, meaning-creating creatures we as human beings also require connection to that which nourishes the soul. During this course, master teacher and Jungian Analyst, James Hollis, will guide you through the fundamental aspects of Carl Jung’s psychology. He will not only cover the theoretical aspects, but will also enable you to apply these insights in your day-to-day life and grow psychologically.

Introduction to Jungian Psychology Course

One of the pioneer explorers of the human psyche was the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung (1875-1961). He incorporated Freud’s appreciation of the biological drives that move humankind, and Alfred Adler’s emphasis on family dynamics in the formation of personality.

Yet, he moved beyond both to identify and track the central fact that we are also spiritual creatures. As meaning-seeking, meaning-creating animals, we also have a spiritual life which suffers any disconnection from what nourishes the soul.

In this course, we explore Jung’s basic concepts, many of which have been influential in understanding our lives and our times. Such ideas as complex, typology, archetype, persona, animus/anima, shadow, and many others will be defined, illustrated, and exemplified in how they may be observed in daily life. Understanding Jung’s map of the psyche will assist each of us in opening an avenue for understanding ourselves, and those around us, at a deeper level.

If you are eager to apply these depth psychological insights to other areas of your life, you can explore the full array of our online courses taught by the inimitable James Hollis here.

Understand some concepts of Jungian psychology have piqued your interest, but you have found the resources available difficult to grasp.
Understand and apply Jungian concepts to your own life for your personal process of psychological growth.
Deepen your understanding of Jungian psychology with a teacher who is regarded as one of the best Jungian thought leaders.
Acquire a set of perspectives and tools that will make your daily life more meaningful, purposeful and enjoyable.

In this introductory class , renowned Jungian analyst James Hollis explores the fundamental structures of the human psyche. The class unpacks key psychological terms, examining the ego as the center of consciousness, the persona as an adaptive public mask, and the shadow containing disowned traits. Hollis also covers the concepts of the anima and animus as inner energies bridging the conscious and unconscious mind.
By contextualizing Carl Jung’s life and work, this class illustrates how these basic functions of the psyche influence daily behavior, relationships, and the search for personal meaning.

James Hollis explores the basic functions of the human psyche in this class. Getting into fundamental Jungian concepts, the class examines the distinction between the ego and the Self, defining the Self as the regulating center and archetype of wholeness within the organism. Participants will gain insight into the personal and collective unconscious, learning how shared human heritage, primordial images, and archetypes spontaneously structure our psychological experiences. Through real-world examples and dream analysis, the class demonstrates how the psyche seeks healing and developmental alignment.

Explore the core mechanisms of Jungian psychology in this third session with Dr. James Hollis. This class delves into the psyche's story-making function and the foundational concept of complexes. They are autonomous clusters of energy that shape our behavioral patterns and relationships. You will examine the dynamics of projection, transference, and countertransference, gaining insight into how past experiences unconsciously influence present choices.
Additionally, thic class covers the symbolic nature of symptoms and how the psyche communicates distress, offering practical guidance for learning about your hidden agendas, overcoming regressive strategies, and fostering greater self-awareness.

Explore the captivating world of nocturnal visitations and discover how nature serves the human psyche through the autonomous process of dreaming. Led by James Hollis, this class examines why we dream, the science behind dream retention, and the key differences between Freudian and Jungian interpretations. Learn to categorize dreams, from processing and compensatory to archetypal and prophetic, and gain practical tools for remembering and engaging with your own dream material. Discover how working with your dreams fosters self-healing, expands personal awareness, and guides your developmental journey

In this class of Introduction to Jungian Psychology, James Hollis explores active imagination. This is a technique developed by Carl Jung to directly dialogue with the unconscious. Rather than passively waiting for dreams, active imagination uses symbolic images, fantasies, and somatic responses as bridges to translate invisible psychological energies into conscious awareness.

Hollis details practical methodologies to frame, contain, and safely navigate these inner encounters. Through personal case studies and Jung’s own historical experiences, you will learn how engaging with inner figures, ancestral patterns, and symbolic imagery can serve as a powerful tool for self-healing, personal growth, and accessing inner wisdom.

Explore why Jungian psychology places such profound importance on myths and fairy tales. Far from being 'just' fictions, these timeless narratives are spontaneous expressions of the human unconscious that connect us to the larger mysteries of existence: the cosmos, nature, tribe, and personal identity.

In this class, James Hollis examines how modern individuals suffer from a loss of central meaning when severed from living mythic systems. By learning to interpret these ancient stories and fairy tales, you will discover symbolic pathways to recognize your own psychological complexes, heal inner disassociations, and navigate the lifelong journey of individuation.

This final class explores fundamental existential matters through the lens of Jungian psychology. It addresses core human experiences such as death, suffering, and the search for meaning. It delves into Carl Jung’s perspectives on the "general neurosis of our age"; the pervasive feeling of senselessness and aimlessness in modern life. Rather than avoiding life’s challenges, the class examines how personal dilemmas, wounds, and seasons of suffering can serve as invitations to psychological development, purpose, and self-discovery. Participants will gain insights into tracking psychic energy, navigating mortality, and cultivating an authentic, spiritually rich life.

Course Reviews- Introduction to Jungian Psychology

Outstanding course…I deeply value Jim’s gift for integration of psychology and spiritually. (Sean)

I was astonished by the breadth and depth of James's knowledge. I expected to complete the seven hours of material within a week, but it ended up taking me a month. I found myself taking notes, following references, and continually connecting the material to my own life.. (Corri)

I love Hollis's teachings. His clarity and diction are great! (Philip)

Excellent. He makes sometimes complex concepts easy to understand and relate to. Definitely worth taking if you would like to learn the core concepts of Jungian Psychology. (Vanessa)

ABout the teacher

We here at Jung Platform want to make these programs available to anyone. If you would love to participate yet can’t pay for the full course, then please send us an email at scholarships@jungplatform.com and describe why you feel you qualify for a scholarship, how much you can pay, and what you will do to help the Jung Platform promote this and other programs.

More Courses by This Teacher

Jung Platform offers several hundred courses, talks, and certificate programs on Jungian psychology, shadow work, dreamwork, archetypes, and individuation. Whether you are just beginning or have studied Jung for years, there is a next step waiting for you.

Browse all Jung Platform courses

Carl Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and the founder of analytical psychology, these days more often referred to as Jungian psychology. Initially a close collaborator of Sigmund Freud, Jung later broke away and developed his own theories of the human psyche. He introduced foundational concepts such as the collective unconscious, archetypes, the shadow, and individuation (the lifelong process toward psychological wholeness).
If you want to learn more about Carl Jung and his life, our master teacher James hollis also teaches the online course 'Biography of Carl Jung'.

Jungian psychology, also known as analytical psychology, is the psychological tradition developed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. It focuses on the relationship between conscious and unconscious processes, including concepts such as archetypes, complexes, dreams, the shadow, the Self, and individuation.

Jung proposed that unconscious material can appear through dreams, symbols, myths, fantasies, and recurring patterns in our lives. His approach explores how becoming more conscious of these patterns can contribute to psychological development.

No, you do not need a background in psychology to study Carl Jung’s work. Jungian psychology speaks directly to the human experience, making it accessible to anyone committed to self-knowledge and inner growth. While Jung’s concepts are complex, our courses bridge the gap between academic theory and practical, everyday life. Designed by world-class analysts, our programs guide both complete beginners and experienced seekers step-by-step through core topics like shadow work, dream analysis, and individuation

This course 'Introduction to Jungian Psychology' is a fully on-demand online course. Upon enrolling, you receive immediate access to video and audio formats for all 7 classes, along with a comprehensive Companion Guide. There are no live attendance requirements so you can pause, rewind, and study at whatever pace fits your daily life. This course is specifically structured as a foundational introduction to Jungian psychology. Jungian analyst James Hollis translates complex terms into clear language, making it accessible to complete beginners, spiritual seekers, and professionals like counsellors, psychologists, therapists and life coaches alike.

All Jung Platform courses are online, offering a convenient way to study Jungian psychology wherever you are. Whether you want to explore shadow work, learn to work with dreams, or understand archetypes, our library brings world-class Jungian analysts directly to your screen.

Designed for both beginners and experienced practitioners, these self-paced video courses allow you to integrate psychological insights into your daily life. You can watch recorded lectures on your schedule, access rich study materials, and join interactive live events. It is a flexible, accessible doorway into Carl Jung’s work. The courses are developed to help you navigate the unconscious and move toward true wholeness.

Introduction to Jungian Psychology serves as a gateway into Jung's psychological concepts. Many people choose to dive straight into our specialized 4-class program, Introduction to Jungian Shadow Work, where James Hollis guides you through the formation of the shadow, projections in relationships, and dream tracking. To continue your journey into Jungian psychology, you can explore our full selection of specialized Jungian psychology coures.

Advanced students also enjoy courses by Jungian analyst Ken James on Jungian typology, synchronicity, complexes and archetypes, and active imagination.

If you are looking for a more immersive, multi-month cohort and live webinar experience with practical skills training and peer practice, you can browse our professional and personal tracks on the Jung Platform Certificate Programs Page.

Introduction to Jungian Psychology