co-sponsored by: The Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute
Spiritual Democracy in the Works of Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, William James, and Carl G. Jung
Presenter: Steven Herrmann, PhD, MFT
Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 7:00 – 9:00 PM Central time
By Zoom Only
Steven Herrmann is a Jungian analyst, a child and adolescent, couples, and individual adult psychotherapist. He began his studies in Jungian psychology at the University of California at Santa Cruz where he taught Jung ’s theories of dream interpretation. He earned his bachelor ’s degree in Depth Psychology and Religion from UCSC, his MA from John F. Kennedy University in clinical psychology and PhD from Rosebridge Graduate School of Integrative Psychology. He has been in private practice for over thirty years and is a member of the IAAP and analyst member of the C. G. Jung Institute of San Francisco. He works in-depth with trauma-related disorders, analysis of dreams, the symbolic life, and active imagination. Dr Herrmann has numerous publications on Jungian literary criticism, analysis and American poetry. He has written several books, one in which will draw ideas for this talk: Spiritual Democracy: The Wisdom of Early American Visionaries for the Journey Forward. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books (Sacred Activism Series), 2014.
Description:
Steven Hermann's presentation will explore the philosophical and spiritual foundations laid by the early American thinkers, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, William James, and C.G. Jung and will consider how their ideas can inform modern activism and social change. Hermann argues that these early visionaries proposed a democracy not just of political rights but also of spiritual and moral insight, where personal and collective transformation go hand-in-hand. He suggests that by revisiting their wisdom, we can find guidance for addressing contemporary crises, including environmental challenges and social justice issues. He will focus on the idea of "spiritual democracy," a concept that integrates individual freedom, community, and a deep connection to nature and the divine.
Approximate breakdown of time:
First Hour: presentation
Second Hour: discussion with audience
Learning Objectives
After attending this session, participants should be able to:
- Define Herrmann's concept of Spiritual Democracy
- Explain the ideas of Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, William James, and C.G. Jung that inform modern activism and social change.
- Describe the roots of compassionate and societal functioning.
Admission is free. Continuing Education Credits are offered exclusively to Society members in all membership categories and those intending to join.
The presenter, Steven Herrmann, and the organizer, Lisa Karaitis, have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to report.
Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program.
ACCME Accreditation Statement: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association (APsA) and the Chicago Psychoanalytic Society. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA Credit Designation Statement: The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure Statement: The APsA CE Committee has reviewed the materials for accredited continuing education and has determined that this activity is not related to the product line of ineligible companies and therefore, the activity meets the exception outlined in Standard 3: ACCME's identification, mitigation and disclosure of relevant financial relationship. This activity does not have any known commercial support.
Accreditation Information for Professionals Other Than Physicians. The Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content, in relation to accreditation for CE credits for non-physicians. CPI is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to sponsor continuing education credits for (license numbers in parentheses): Social Workers (159.000122), Professional Counselors (197.000202), Marriage and Family Therapy Therapists (168.00204), and Clinical Psychologists (268.000091).
Eligible professionals will receive 2.0 continuing education credits for attending the entire program. To receive these credits an evaluation form must be completed online. Learners must claim the amount of time spent in the educational activity and that will be the amount of credit they will earn.
