The Jungians:
Past, Present and Future 

Presented by
Thomas B. Kirsch, M.D.

October 6, 2000

 

Jung's analytical psychology has taken root in many places in the world. Much of the spread has been since about 1970 but in this country it started in the 1940s in three areas-New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Because analytical psychology developed in these three cities during Jung's lifetime, he had opportunity to influence the development of these professional groups. Further, the founders in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles had their analysis with Jung, many in the 1930s, and after WWII, resumed travel to Zurich, often annually. This direct, close and ongoing contact between Jung and those founders had profound implications for analytical psychology, implications which extend to this day.

 

Interestingly but understandably, the development in the three cities differed in significant ways. Dr. Thomas Kirsch is in a unique position to understand those significant differences-he was there in more ways than one.

 

Dr. Thomas B. Kirsch, the son of two Los Angeles founders, James and Hilde Kirsch, came with his parents to Los Angeles from London as a small child so he grew up here in those early times. Then he became a Jungian Analyst with worldwide entree first as President of C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco and then as President of the International Association for Analytical Psychology.

 

Link to Dr. Kirsch's website
www.jungians.com

 

Thomas B. Kirsch, M.D. was born in London, England, the son of James and Hilde Kirsch, two individuals who had their analysis with Jung in the 1930s and who were co-founders of the C.G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles. Dr. Kirsch is a Graduate of Reed College, Yale University School of Medicine, Stanford Department of Psychiatry, and C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco.

 

Dr. Kirsch has written numerous papers on dreams, the analytical process, and the history of Jung and analytical psychology. This year his book, The Jungians, is being published by Routledge. He presently practices in San Francisco.