A Transformational Journey
Dr Toula shares how she used Science, Spirit and Story for her own healing journey, and in the creation of Story Image Therapy and SIT Shadow Work to help others
Lived Experience
My work is deeply shaped by my own journey as a teenager with significant trauma, and then later working as part of high school leadership teams. For years, I carried responsibility in my job while quietly navigating adolescent complexes of self-doubt and other challenges in my personal “shadow”.
To cope, I unconsciously drew on Science, Spirit and Storytelling. Science gave me structure and understanding. Spirit offered meaning and connection, and Storytelling—through symbols, images and myth—gave me a safe way to explore emotions that were hard for me to name and process.
Today, as a psychologist with personal experience of healing, I intuitively know that many people (similar to myself) need approaches beyond just talk and logic. Story Image Therapy (SIT®) and SIT Shadow Work™ has grown from this insight.
Importance of Connection
In Story Image Therapy, healing begins with connection—both conscious and unconscious—to our true Self, and to the Spirit of our ancestors. In Story Image Therapy, this ancestral, spiritual and imaginative ‘space’ is called our inner Dream Room.
In my personal and professional experience, connection to our Dream Room is restored through creativity, relationship with nature, and respect for natural laws. In SIT, this ancestral way of knowing is called a connection to Nature, and it is central to healing.
Across cultures, people have always used story, image, ritual, art and time in nature to find meaning and restore balance. SIT honours this ancient wisdom while grounding it in modern psychology.
How each person connects to Self, Spirit and Nature is deeply personal—I believe there is no single right way.
When life brings storms—what SIT calls entering the Dark Room—we may feel overtaken by addictive thoughts, emotions or harmful patterns we’ve grown attached to—even when they cause us harm. Without our conscious awareness, self-sabotage, emotional insecurity and trauma bonds can unconsciously and spontaneously occur.
The Dream Room offers another path. Here, we use active imagination and the creative process to imagine a different outcome—one that restores choice, meaning and hope. Healing happens in the Dream Room, where we use imagination and creative expression to envision a different outcome.
In doing so, we don’t just survive the storm—we transform it, gaining choice, meaning and balance.
Achievements & Contributions
Dr Toula Gordillo now dedicates herself to raising awareness of personal transformation, shadow work healing, leadership and mental health. She regularly contributes to groundbreaking work in psychology, education and the arts, and her internationally recognized methods and scholarly research continue to inspire and empower individuals globally.
SIT Creator
Originator of the internationally recognised method Story Image Therapy (SIT®) and its practical application SIT Shadow Work™.
Published Books
Author of numerous books, audiobook, book chapters and magazine articles published on SIT, healing and shadow work.
Podcast Presenter
Regularly interviewed on podcasts and other digital video presentations on shadow work, storytelling and mental health.
Conference Presenter
Featured speaker at events focused on personal transformation, leadership and storytelling, symbolism and spirituality.
Academic Contributor
Regular contributor to academic publications such as education journals and other psychological or narrative publications.
Experienced Professional
Author, educator, trainer, academic researcher and clinical psychologist with decades of practical experience and research.