Jungian Sandplay:
The Orphan and Finding Nemo

Presented by Audrey Punnett, Ph.D. 

The Orphan:  The Psychic Drive for Wholeness in Sandplay

In this case presentation of Sandplay therapy with an 11 year-old boy, we will focus on how the constellation of the orphan archetype, with its accompanying feelings of isolation, anguish, and despair can act as a catalyst for psychic growth and integration.  In working with children, there is always the potential that the parents will begin to see progress and want to terminate the therapy prematurely.  We will explore some of the reasons behind premature termination, and how to address these issues in the context of the therapeutic relationship.

Learning Objectives: 

• Describe what is meant by the orphan archetype and how it manifests in psychotherapy with children.
• Describe Sandplay therapy and why it is a useful modality in working with children.
• Identify therapeutic interventions for parents who want to terminate therapy prematurely.

Finding Nemo

Using a workshop format, we will expand on the idea of the orphan archetype in childhood, using excerpts from the film Finding Nemo.  We will focus on basic concepts of Jungian theory specifically as they pertain to the process of individuation, initiated by the death of Nemo’s mother Coral.

Learning Objectives: 

• Describe what is meant by the individuation process and its relevance to psychotherapy.
• Give an example of developmental tasks that are interrupted when a child’s parent dies.
• Describe psychotherapeutic interventions that would be helpful for a child who has lost a parent.

Audrey Punnett, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, certified child, adolescent and adult analyst graduate of the C.G. Jung Institute, Zurich and a member of the C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco where she is past chair of the Infant, Child & Adolescent Training Committee (iCAT).  She is a member of the International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP) and served as secretary & vice-president on the board of trustees of the Association of Graduates in Analytical Psychology (AGAP).  Dr. Punnett is a registered play therapist, supervisor (RPT-S) and teaching member (CST-T) of Sandplay Therapists of America (STA) and International Society for Sandplay Therapy (ISST). She is past president of the board of trustees of STA and currently the ISST representative for STA. Dr. Punnett has published in peer-reviewed Journals and she teaches & consults nationally and internationally.  Her book, The Orphan: A Journey Towards Wholeness was published in 2014 by Fisher King Press.  She is editor of Jungian Child Analysis, a book published in 2018.  Dr. Punnett is an Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF-Fresno, Department of Psychiatry, and maintains a private practice in Fresno, California.