Archetypal Reparenting: Constellating Archetypal Parental Figures to Reparent the Self
by Lyna Tevenaz Jones, M.A.
Grounded in the Jungian concept of archetypes and the unconscious, as well as attachment theory, this thesis explores how primary archetypes such as the Great Mother and Great Father can be a significant intrapsychic resource to facilitate repair of early attachment wounds.
Using a heuristic method, the study investigates the archetypal motifs of fathering and mothering as potential positive presences within the psyche. It explores how archetypal parents can be constellated as intrapsychic resources to aid adults suffering from childhood attachment wounds in reparenting themselves.
The research examines how reparenting drawing on constellated archetypal parental figures can support a shift from insecure to secure attachment. The findings suggest how constellating the archetypes of the Great Mother and Great Father through imaginal modalities can help remediate attachment wounding and rebuild a positive internal working model and a stable, cohesive sense of self.
What is archetypal reparenting?
Reparenting with a Jungian twist -
Reparenting from a Jungian perspective involves healing abandonment wounds by integrating parental archetypes to provide the individual with a new source of support, protection, and inner nurturing.
Carl Jung put forward the idea that each of us has universal archetypes in the collective unconscious, and among these archetypes, parental figures play a crucial role in psychic development.
The process of reparenting involves awakening and embodying these archetypes within ourselves to replace the deficiencies experienced in childhood. Of course that will never replace sound, attachment-based psychotherapy. But this inner work will support you on your healing journey.
This thesis is dedicated to those who grew up with an ingrained, faulty sense of chronic defectiveness.
May these explorations inspire you to excavate the gifts of your archetypal parents.