Table Of Content“This book provides a wonderfully structured and easily readable journey into
the world of coaching from a Jungian perspective. In an exploration of the
hidden, unconscious dynamics that impact how individuals, teams and orga
nizations behave, it suggests some very practical ways in which Jungian psy
chology can be applied to create healthier and more humane places of work.
It is a ‘must read’ for anyone who is curious about what is going on ‘below
the surface’ in themselves or their interactions with others, whether as a
coach, consultant or a friend. The beauty of this book is that its content
provides insights which are relevant to all aspects of our lives. At a time of
significant societal conflict, it is gift to humanity in helping us understand the
troubling and at times irrational aspects of individuals and groups. Its appli
cation and relevance is far broader than simply the world of coaching and
organizational consulting. Our world needs the deeper understanding that
Laurence shares with us. Anyone truly interested in helping individuals and
teams to live and work more effectively will greatly benefit from the practical
and insightful perspectives that Laurence provides.”
Roger Lehman, Emeritus Senior Affiliate Professor, INSEAD
and Senior Lecturer at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
A Jungian Approach to Coaching
In an increasingly superficial and disconnected world, Jungian psychology offers
a more soulful alternative. It provides a frame within which we can more easily
notice and understand the voice of the unconscious and its implications, allow
ing us to build deeper relationships and lead more meaningful lives.
In this book, Laurence Barrett explores the fundamental principles and
structures of Jung's model of the mind and considers ways in which these may be
applied and extended to a modern coaching and consulting practice. It offers a
deep but accessible insight to Jungian theory, supported by a wealth of source
materials and rich examples from the author's own work and experience.
A Jungian Approach to Coaching will help experienced coaches to better
support individuals, groups, and organizations, in a rediscovery of their
humanity and their potential. It will help turn leaders into people.
Laurence Barrett has worked in international leadership coaching and orga
nisational consulting for over thirty years and has held senior leadership
positions in a number of FTSE-30 companies. He is now a Director of Heresy
Consulting and also works as a Practicum Supervisor on the INSEAD
Executive Masters in Change. He holds an MSc in the Psychodynamics of
Human Development (Jungian approach) from the British Psychotherapy
Foundation and Birkbeck, University of London, and an MBA from Lan
caster University. He trained as a coach and a coach supervisor with the
Tavistock Institute and has completed the Foundation in Group Analysis at
the Institute of Group Analysis. He also holds a Certificate in Ecopsychology
from the Pacifica Graduate Institute.
A Jungian Approach to
Coaching
The Theory and Practice of Turning
Leaders into People
Laurence Barrett
Cover image: Philippe Dessante, Ile Vierge Lighthouse, 2019
First published 2023
by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 Laurence Barrett
The right of Laurence Barrett to be identified as author of this work has
been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Barrett, Laurence (Executive coach), author.
Title: A Jungian approach to coaching : the theory and practice of turning
leaders into people / Laurence Barrett.
Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2023. | Includes
bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2022014591 (print) | LCCN 2022014592 (ebook) |
ISBN 9780367766351 (hardback) | ISBN 9780367766368 (paperback) |
ISBN 9781003167846 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Counseling psychology. | Executive coaching. | Jungian
psychology.
Classification: LCC BF636.6 .B37 2023 (print) | LCC BF636.6 (ebook) |
DDC 158.3--dc23/eng/20220615
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022014591
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022014592
ISBN: 978-0-367-76635-1 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-76636-8 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-16784-6 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003167846
Typeset in Times New Roman
by Taylor & Francis Books
Contents
List of figures ix
Acknowledgements x
Why Jung Matters 1
SECTION 1
Foundation 7
1 Understanding the Mind: A Jungian Model of the Psyche 9
2 Approaching the Deep Unconscious: The Language of Symbol 21
3 Facing Life and Midlife: Individuation and the Emergence of the
Self 34
4 Spinning Tales and Making Meaning: The Importance of
Narrative in Human Development 46
5 Dealing with the Dark: The Importance of the Shadow in
Development Work 58
6 Considering Gender: The Other as the Archetype of Soul 71
SECTION 2
Relationship 87
7 Finding Ourselves in Others: The Transference and its
Importance for Coaching 89
8 Working with Groups: The Developmental Paradox of Group
Coaching 102
viii Contents
9 Creating the Spaces to Change: Liminality and Developmental
Work 114
10 Exploring the Cultural Complex: Change in Organisations and
Societies 128
11 Building Therapeutic Organisations: A Reverie at Scale 141
12 Towards a Therapeutic World: Ecopsychology and the
Implications for Coaching 152
SECTION 3
Practice 165
13 Working Online: An Emerging Practice 167
14 Tending the Boundaries: The Therapeutic Zone Between
Coaching and Psychotherapy 179
15 Building a Jungian Coaching Practice: Three Fundamental
Pillars 193
Some Final Reflections 203
Index 207
Figures
7.1 - The conscious and unconscious exchanges within a coaching
relationship 93
8.1 - A circular movement of turn-taking around a group 105
8.2 - A group maintaining focus on the group leader 106
8.3 - A group interaction through the centre of the group linking all
its points to form a matrix 106
