Denise Grobbelaar:

Working with Image & Narrative

Jungian Analyst, Psychotherapist & Clinical Psychologist.

Wanderer above the Sea of Fog - Caspar David Friedrich (1818)

Welcome to a transformative path toward self-discovery and healing. As a Jungian Analyst, my role is to guide you on a profound journey of individuation —the process of becoming your true and unique self. Together, we will explore the depths of your psyche, unravelling the layers of conditioning and unconscious patterns that may obscure your authentic identity and possibly lie at the root of your suffering. Through this transformative journey, you'll become more self-aware as you gain deeper insights into your inner world, uncover, and embrace your unique inherent strengths, and ultimately, live a life aligned with your genuine self. The more present we become to our deeper Self, the more spacious, calm, joyful and responsive (rather than reactive) we become in our engagement with the world around us. To assist in identifying these patterns or aspects of Self, therapy involves talking about day-to-day experiences, memories, dreams, and other visionary experiences.

I invite you to explore the uncharted territory of your psyche, to engage in the profound process of shadow work. Together, we will embark on a path of illumination, uncovering those hidden aspects of yourself that have long been relegated to the shadows. This introspective approach is a powerful means of healing and personal growth, as we delve into the depths of your unconscious mind to integrate those often overlooked, yet vital, elements of your identity. A focus area is to identify patterns and parts within the broader personality of the person that need acceptance and integrating; or the need to be transformed, especially if patterns/parts are limiting and/or imprisoning the person in maladaptive thinking or behaviours. Embrace the opportunity to confront your shadow, for within its enigmatic depths lie the keys to unlocking your fullest potential and achieving a more authentic and harmonious life.

Galatea of the Spheres - Salvador Dali (1952)

The Sleeping Gypsy - Henri Rousseau (1897)

Join me on a journey of self-discovery through the realms of image and story. What are the images that inspire and guide you? What are the stories that you live by? Within the depths of the unconscious mind, we uncover the narratives, patterns, symbols, and archetypes that shape your inner world. By delving into the rich tapestry of your psyche, we explore the multiplicity of voices and stories that reside within you, offering insights into your personal mythology Through Jungian analysis, we navigate the labyrinth of your soul, helping you integrate these elements and find meaning in your life's unfolding narrative. Join me on this profound exploration of self, as we unlock the power of image and story to guide you towards greater self-awareness and wholeness.

We know that the wildest and most moving dramas are played not in the theatre but in the hearts of ordinary men and women who pass by without exciting attention, and who betray to the world nothing of the conflicts that rage within them except possibly by a nervous breakdown. What is so difficult for the layman to grasp is the fact that in most cases the patients themselves have no suspicion whatever of the internecine war raging in their unconscious. If we remember that there are many people who understand nothing at all about themselves, we shall be less surprised at the realization that there are also people who are utterly unaware of their actual conflicts.

Carl Gustav Jung - CW 7 ¶ 425

Meet Denise

Guiding you through the journey of self-discovery, I bring my deep curiosity and profound reverence for the Earth’s dreaming and the images from the mystery of the psyche.

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Courses

Learn from me as I share my passion for topics that truly interest me, drawing from extensive training and in-depth research to provide you with valuable insights and knowledge.

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White Lion

The white lion, as an embodiment of the archetype of the Self, resonates as a powerful living symbol in my psyche, manifesting repeatedly in my dreams and waking images.

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The concept of holding the tension of opposites is central to the Jungian journey of individuation. Our psyches are pulled between opposing forces, such as the conscious and the unconscious, light and shadow, masculine and feminine, or rationality and intuition. These opposites are archetypal in nature and cannot be fully integrated or reduced into one; they represent fundamental dualities.

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Categories: Individuation (Hero & Heroine's Journey)

From a Jungian perspective, engaging with myths, poetry, stories, music, and movement provides a profound means of accessing the deeper archetypal truths embedded in the collective unconscious.

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Categories: Creativity & Imagination, Mytho-Poetic

This message came to me during a medicine hike, after spotting a snake—a Puff Adder!—crossing the road. Snake medicine teaches us how to attune to the earth’s vibrations. Unlike humans, who hear through the air, snakes hear primarily through the ground.

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Categories: Animal Symbolism, Earth & Nature

Traditional shamanism operates from an animistic worldview, where everything in creation is considered alive and possesses a spirit. People, animals, plants, rocks, rivers, mountains, stars, and even concepts and illnesses are believed to have souls.

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Categories: Shamanism

Recently, at the Louvain Burn Festival, a frog found its way into our tent—a ‘Platanna’, also known as the African clawed frog or claw-toed frog. The son of the guest farm’s owner showed us how this frog moved inside its own skin, and I recognized this unique feature as its medicine.

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Categories: Animal Symbolism

Instinctual drives and violent affective responses are deeply embedded in the body, representing the personal shadow that threatens psychological stability and requires defense mechanisms.

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Categories: Embodiment (Body), Impact Of Childhood Experiences (Core wounds), Shadow