Persona: The Impersonator Within with Cliona Dickie, Jungian Analyst, Toronto

“The mirror does not flatter. It faithfully shows whatever looks into it; namely, the face we never show to the world because we cover it with the persona, the mask of the actor.  C.G.Jung, 1934.CW 9.1

The persona is like a magic cloak of our personality. It draws on archetypal energies to flesh out the roles that we take in society. As an image of a mask, it allows us some protection, can be used as disguise or as intermediary, creating a necessary space  between our inner selves and our outer lives. Without an effective persona we may never be able to stride on through the stages of life. Too effective a persona can separate us from our inner life.

Unlike the mirror in the above quote, persona may indeed flatter too much. It can create a blind spot or too bright light, that inhibits wholeness. The unmasking then becomes a task of individuation, a work to uncover what lies beneath.

The talk  will follow Jungian writings on the Persona and include some clinical examples and properties of the persona/ mask  from the arts.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Cliona was born in Dublin, Ireland, where she graduated from University College Dublin as a Physiotherapist. She has lived and worked in Toronto for many years. She did her post -graduate training in Analytical Psychology with of the Ontario Association of Jungian Analysts Training Program. It is the only Analyst Training Program in Canada recognized by the International Association for Analytical Psychology in Zurich. Graduates become Jungian Analysts. She was a past Director of Training in the Ontario Association of Jungian Analysts Training Program.

Cliona completed observerships at St. Josephs’ Healthcare Hamilton, West Fifth Campus; The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Mount Sinai Hospital, Psychological Trauma Clinic; and The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture.

She has a deep interest and participation in theatre, having completed a graduate thesis on the play Shining City by Conor McPhearson.