John Woodcock Ph.D

I trained and practiced as a therapist in the USA after moving there from Australia in 1979. I gained a license in California in 1983 in Marriage and Family Therapy. I returned to Sydney in 2003 after finishing my PhD and now practice as an individual therapist. My wife, Anita Hansen, and I also practice as couples therapists. I also write and do post-doctoral research on the relationship between psychology and art.

I specialize in Jungian therapy, a modality springing from the life and work of C. G. Jung. This modality gives central importance to inner capacities and strengths that are the fruit of the client’s lived experience, but which usually remain quite unconscious. The work of the therapist is to perceive these inner capacities and draw them forth into consciousness, with the full participation of the client, where they can now be brought to bear on her current issues. Dreams are often a vital resource for this work of self-discovery and recovery.

PhD in Consciousness Studies, The Union Institute and University, OH, 1999;

MA in Counselling Psychology, CSUN, Northridge, CA. 1983.

Licensed Marriage and Fanily Therapist, CA, 1983-2004.

Currently in private practice

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I also work with people who are undergoing a "spiritual emergency", i.e. an extreme psychological state that the person wants to address in ways not covered by the medical profession. In this work, I subscribe to the National Mental Health Strategy framework which focuses on the notion of personal recovery:

[Recovery is] a deeply personal, unique process of changing one’s attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills and/or roles. It is a way of living a satisfying, hopeful, and contributing life even within the limitations caused by illness. Recovery involves the development of new meaning and purpose in one’s life as one grows beyond the catastrophic effects of mental illness.

Recovery-oriented practice, as understood in this framework:

maximises self-determination and self-management of mental health and wellbeing and involves person-first, person-centred, strengths-based and evidence-informed treatment, rehabilitation and support.