FOJS was founded in the early 1970s in Birmingham, AL, sparked by the interest of people who wanted to learn more about the teachings of Swiss psychoanalyst, Dr. C. G. Jung. FOJS patterned its organization and name after the Friends of Jung group in San Diego, California. Some of the early leaders were Anne Sharman, Robert Collins, Valerie Peake, Glenda Elliott, Frances Tucker and Marion Johnson.

FOJS was the first Jungian organization in the Southeast and drew participants from all surrounding states, with program attendance sometimes exceeding 800 people. Speakers in those beginning years included such luminaries as June Singer, Al Huang, Jan Clanton, Tom Kapazinski, Brad Tapaski, Robert Woolger, and Jean Shinoda Bolin.

Additionally, FOJS also served as a mentoring organization for many groups in the surrounding areas. Consequently, today there is at least one Jungian association in each of the states, with several being in Alabama.

In 1980, Dr. Jan Clanton Collins, psychoanalyst practicing San Diego, CA, was invited to speak to the FOJS group. Soon she became the first Jungian analyst to locate in Birmingham. In 1981, upon completing their training at the Jung Institute in Zurich, Drs. Gene Qualls and Nancy Qualls-Corbett relocated to Birmingham and began their practices. In 1997, following her Zurich training, Dr. Jutta von Buchholtz returned to Birmingham and began her practice. Lucie Magnus, a Birmingham native, completed her training with the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts and also practices in Birmingham.

FOJS is run by a Board of Directors that is elected yearly at the annual business meeting in January. The board members divide the work of planning and hosting meetings among themselves. Current board members are Annette Reynolds, Anna Dudley, Lucie Magnus, Sally Speaker, Jane Philips, Melissa Werner, Richard Pyburn, Elaine Gamel-Rasco, Vickie Farley, Kathryn Bowden, Anne-Marie Griffin, Kristen Cross, Sam Nettles, Lindsay Korth, Kathy Avsar, and Kenneth Wade. Dr. Jutta von Buchholtz serves as advisor to the board.

The annual meeting is held each January, with 2-3 more meetings held throughout the year. These meetings include a Friday evening lecture followed by a Saturday workshop. Continuing education units are offered at all meetings.

Annual membership dues are $20. Members receive discounted rates for programs and help support the continuing mission of FOJS.