Friends of Jung-South
Friends of Jung-South presents
A Presentation for Laypeople and Mental Health Professionals
A Series of Three
Fairy Tale Workshops
About Tasks & Opportunities
of the Second Half of Life​
WITH
Melissa Werner, PhD, LPC, IAAP
Jungian Analyst, Diplomate, CG Jung Institute, Zurich​
Watts Chapel, Surrey, England
Three Workshops on Three Wednesdays
June 4, 11 & 18, 2025
7 - 9 pm
ONLINE via ZOOM from Birmingham, Alabama
2 NBCC Contact Hours per Session
Live attendance on screen via Zoom is required for contact hours.
“If the individuation process is made conscious, consciousness must confront the unconscious and a balance between the opposites must be found. As this is not possible through logic, one is dependent on symbols which make the irrational union of opposites possible. They are produced spontaneously by the unconscious and are amplified by the conscious mind. The central symbols of this process describe the self, which is man’s totality, consisting on the one hand that which is conscious to him, and on the other hand of the contents of the unconscious."
—CG Jung, Answer to Job (1952, CW 11, par. 755)
Every fairy tale describes an aspect of the Self, the psychic totality of the individual as well as the regulating center of the collective unconscious. According to Jung, fairy tales are the best way to study the comparative anatomy of the psyche. Participants will explore Jung’s ideas through fairy tales, gaining insights into the psychological processes that shape our understanding of aging and the richness of this new phase of life. The task of this phase of life is reconnecting with one’s inner vitality by focusing on the wisdom one develops by confronting one’s shadow.
Each week, registered participants will be sent a fairy tale illustrating a task of the second half of life. In working through the tale, we will uncover the inner vitality and richness of this exciting new phase of life. The first tale, The Wise Merchant, focuses on the wisdom one develops by confronting evil in one’s self and the world. With inner knowledge of the shadow and one’s own evil, one learns about facing difficult tasks. (June 4)
The second tale, The Widow and the Frog, focuses on generativity and self-transcendence. The widow, in her relationship with the young masculine, serves as a model for relations between elders and the young. Youth have energy, enthusiasm and emotion, but often lack practical grounding. Elders, through their life experience, can help model practical grounding. This is a developmental task and challenge of aging, not just accumulating years. It is the difference between being an elder and being just elderly. (June 11)
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The final tale of this series, The Simple Grasscutter, combines several of the themes discussed in the earlier weeks. Self-reformation in this tale leads us to the question, "What is enough?" The development of self-acceptance and self-integrity are vital second-half-of-life tasks. In this story, they lead us to know, "I am who I am. I have lived as I have lived." Through these tales, we will explore the vital mysteries of aging, its joys, and its sorrows. (June 18)
​Objectives
Participants will be able to:
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Examine Jung’s idea of individuation through story, as each illustrates different tasks and opportunities of the second half of life.
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Demonstrate, through an exploration of these fairy tales, how they can help therapists, their clients, and laypeople connect to a deeper understanding of the tasks we all face as we age.
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Gain an understanding of how myth and story can enliven client and personal insight about aging.
Melissa Werner, PhD, LPC, IAAP
Melissa Werner is a Jungian training analyst and supervisor, CG Jung Institute, Zurich. She is the only practicing analyst for adults and children in Alabama. Her thesis, “The Archetype of the Feral Child: The Feral Children of the Drug Epidemic,” is being prepared for publication.
For many years, Melissa was a professor of child development and worked as a consultant for Head Start and children’s programs across the US and the Pacific Rim. She has lectured on Play Therapy in Refugee Communities at the UN NGO Committee on the Family. Her paper, “Psychotherapeutic Interventions with Children and Adolescents: Contemporary Perspectives in the Practice of Child and Adolescent Jungian Analysis and Sandplay Therapy” was presented at the First International Conference on Child and Adolescent Jungian Analysis under the IAAP.
She provides therapy to adults and children in her private practice in Birmingham, Alabama. Contact: drmwerner@gmail.com.
Registration
Please select one of the links below. You will be directed to PayPal
to complete your registration using either your Debit or Credit Card OR PayPal Account.
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Email info@friendsofjungsouth.org with general questions or to inquire about financial assistance.
Each Session: 2 NBCC Contact Hours
FOJS Members​
6/4/25
The Wise Merchant $25
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6/11/25
The Widow and the Frog $25
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6/18/25
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6/4, 6/11 & 6/18
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Non-Members ​​
6/4/25
​
6/11/25
The Widow and the Frog $35
6/18/25
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6/4, 6/11 & 6/18
Students
6/4/25
​
6/11/25
The Widow and the Frog $15
6/18/25
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6/4, 6/11 & 6/18
NBCC Continuing Education Credits
Friends of Jung-South has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, AECP #6859. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Friends of Jung -South is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Friends of Jung-South Membership
Members support the continuing mission of FOJS, and enjoy the camaraderie of a regional group of others with shared interests. Discounted rates for events are offered to members. It is not necessary to pay dues to attend events. Annual membership dues are $20 and renew each January. Members may join at any time during the year.
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Click here to pay with a major credit or debit card via PayPal. ​To pay by mail, please send check with your name, address, phone number, and email address to Friends of Jung-South, P.O. Box 130342, 3900 Montclair Rd. FL1, Birmingham, AL 35213-9998.