Trauma and Beyond

by Ursula Wirtz

In this seminal work on the clinical, archetypal and spiritual dimension of trauma, the author offers a compelling vision of the transformative potential of suffering and the dialectic of Dying and Becoming. Wirtz outlines a healing path from fragmentation to integration and illuminates the resilience of the human spirit in the face of severe trauma. Trauma and Beyond will be essential reading and a valuable resource for counsellors, therapists and Jungian analysts who are challenged in their practice with individual and collective traumata.

Genres: Psychology

370 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2020

About the author

Ursula Wirtz PhD, has a doctorate in literature and philosophy from the University of Munich. She graduated from the C.G. Jung Institute Zürich and works as a clinical and anthropological psychologist and Jungian psychoanalyst in private practice.
Living in Switzerland since 1978, holding dual citizenship she is a lecturer, Training and Supervising analyst at ISAPZURICH.

Reviews

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually I really value this book and I think, that U. Wirtz makes a great impact onto the todays psychology. She is broad and talking about trauma encompass other practices like yoga, tai chi, body therapy etc. into jungian approach. Nevertheless what I missed was a bit more “down to earth” thoughts sometimes (she definitely uses case examples, but when she talks more theoretically it may sound too difficult to grasp in real life). Maybe it is a great structure I was searching for and it was not there. But nevertheless I found many of great insights and would recommend to read to colleagues or others interested.

[Maria Menozzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read Kalsched's Trauma and the Soul, this book delves even deeper into the resiliency, or not for some, of the human spirit, and how our psyches survive such atrocities as the Holocaust and current invasive traumas such as torture, genocide and other violent experiences. Although not exclusively writing from the viewpoint of these experiences, Wirth's therapeutic research and work focuses on how we heal from trauma and what are the mysteries of this transformation of healing that happens in the therapeutic experience. Any therapeutic work with trauma will have to define and redefine the meaning of life, existential questions of being, and the idea of "God." Wirth very expertly and in digestible prose addresses each of these facets of transformation within the methods of trauma therapy. Although mostly utilizing a Jungian framework which aptly lends itself to the process, other methods, theories and frameworks from esteemable practitioners is incorporated and explored. If you are exploring your own healing, a therapist hoping to delve deeper into your practice with clients or a student needing a respite from the tedious CBT point of view, this is a must read and like Kalsched's work, will hopefully be indispensable to the work of trauma therapy.

[Steve Ellerhoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ursula Wirtz provides an astonishing perspective on trauma and healing from it. She makes the case for trauma being an opportunity for transformation, acknowledging that not everybody living with trauma makes it to the other side, so to speak. She writes from her experiences growing up in postwar Germany and working with traumatized people from war-torn countries like Bosnia and Cambodia. While she keeps returning to Jung and analytical psychology, she also brings in somatic experience and the body's experience of trauma, as well as yoga and therapeutic approaches that have worked in her practice. She insists that love is needed for healing transformation, and she speaks to fostering it in a therapeutic relationship. Anyone familiar with Donald Kalsched's books will find here a complementary volume that is every bit as significant -- Wirtz and Kalsched pair perfectly. I cannot recommend this book enough to anybody exploring a means of living with trauma, striving to understand a loved one who lives with trauma...or both. So much wisdom here.

[Gabija Vei · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very rich and deep book. The experience of trauma is presented in various cross-sections. You will find scientific trauma research alongside poetry and memoirs of historical trauma survivors, an empathic, respectful, sensitive, humble, insightful and attentive look into the inner world of trauma and all the forces and possibilities that can be found there. Also, inspiring vignettes from the author's clinical practice, Jung's quotes and kind of a summary of the Red Book from a trauma perspective.

[Ed Wojniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite an excellent book that synthesizes psychology and spirituality in seeking understanding and healing for victims of trauma. Highly recommended for the authors breath of understanding and compassion!