Transgenerational Perspective

In my work with clients, I take into consideration the different layers in the unconscious, including the personal unconscious, family unconscious, cultural unconscious and the collective unconscious. These layers may overlap and intersect; for example, certain complexes in the psyche may have their root in contents from the family unconscious andthe cultural unconscious. 

When an analyst or analysand carry unconsciously elements of transgenerationally transmitted contents, be these traumatic events, family secrets or other unintegrated contents, these need to be made conscious. Transgenerational contents may stand in the way of a recognition of images of the Self, and when transgenerationally transmitted contents are differentiated from other unconscious material, this can help free the person to pursue their individual development. 

Some of my clinical experience is discussed in an article in these two books: 

Schellinski Kristina The Ghosts of Two World Wars: Is the Replacement Child Part of a Cultural Complex in the European Psyche, in: Europe’s Many Souls, edited by Rasche Joerg & Singer Thomas, Spring, 2016

Schellinski Kristina (2014) Horror Inherited – Transgenerational Transmission of Collective Trauma in Dreams,in: Confronting Collective Trauma,edited by Grazina Gudaite & Murray Stein, Spring Journal Inc.