research foundation for SIT
How Dr Toula Gordillo’s qualitative research helps you explore unconscious patterns, enhance self-awareness and achieve personal transformation
What is Jungian Action Research?
In Jungian psychology, learning happens through three connected ways of knowing: first-person, second-person and third-person inquiry. These form the foundation of Story Image Therapy (SIT®) and SIT Shadow Work™.
First person is inner reflection — noticing your thoughts, emotions, images and shadow patterns in everyday life
Second person involves guided conversation and shared reflection with a practitioner or group
Third person is the research and psychological theory that supports and explains the work
SIT brings these forms of inquiry together in a simple way: 1. You explore your inner world through symbolic stories and images, 2. You receive guided support, and 3. You work within a research-based psychological framework.
Why Use Tools Grounded in Jungian Action Research?
As demonstrated through 1st, 2nd or 3rd person Jungian action research, SIT® tools help you break free from limitations and tap into your potential to:
Integrate your Shadow
Helps bring unconscious aspects of your shadow self into conscious awareness, fostering wholeness as a person.
Support Individuation
Supports personal growth and the process of becoming one’s true Self... the capacity to 'individuate' in SIT.
Offer Meaning from Others' Experience
Uses ancient archetypes and ancestral knowledge to uncover deeper meanings and transformation.
Transpersonal Psychology
Jungian Action Research combines depth psychology with practical action to support personal and group change.
It draws on Jung’s work with the unconscious, archetypes and symbols based on an understanding our inner world is essential for growth and healing. It also builds on Kurt Lewin’s action research, a hands-on, reflective approach to learning and problem-solving.
Today, Jungian Action Research and Story Image Therapy (SIT®) sit within transpersonal psychology, often described as the fourth wave of psychology. This is a widely known and internationally respected form of psychology in the academic community.
As a transpersonal approach, Story Image Therapy honours the psychological, emotional, cultural and spiritual dimensions of human experience, making it especially suited to deep, lasting transformation.
Jungian Action Research Questions
Find answers to common questions about Jungian Action Research, its benefits, and how it can help on your journey to transformation:
How does storytelling contribute to healing?
What is Jungian Action Research?
Who Can Benefit from Jungian Analysis?
Is Jungian Action Research evidence-based?
Product of Jungian Action Research
Traditional therapies often focus on symptoms, thoughts, and behaviours, using talk-based and cognitive approaches to help people manage distress and develop coping skills.
In contrast, SIT depth psychology, grounded in Jungian Action Research, works with meaning, symbols, and the unconscious to support deeper change.
Rather than simply analysing problems and talking about them with traditional therapy, the SIT approach is more experiential, creative, and holistic.
SIT encourages insight through lived experience, reflection and integration, supporting lasting personal and professional transformation beyond just symptom management and diagnosis.