The APT-Birmingham Public Lecture

Saturday 2nd March 2019

THE PERSONA, THE MASK AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Maggie McAlister

“The most important thing about acting is honesty. If you can fake that you’ve got it made.” George Burns

In this talk, I would like to present some clinical material regarding Jung’s idea of the persona, ‘the social self’, focusing in particular on the use of social media, and what Psychoanalyst Ron Britton terms the “as if personality”. The persona was the name given to the mask in Greek drama, worn with the aim of heightening theatrical truth and enabling the suspension of disbelief. Using the mask as metaphor, I would like to explore some clinical material from those patients who struggle with feelings of suspension, where life is lived in the persona, via social networking sites.

Maggie McAlister, is a Jungian Analyst with the Society of Analytical Psychology, a Forensic Psychotherapist (BPC) and also a HCPC registered Arts Psychotherapist. She has worked extensively in the NHS in forensic inpatient secure units and also currently within secondary complex care. Maggie has written many publications and has a private practice in North London.

Time and Place

This event will be held between 10:15 – 12:45 at The Priory Rooms, Quaker Meeting House, 40 Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6AF www.theprioryrooms.co.uk.

Please make BACS payments as follows:
Bank: Barclays, Sort Code: 20-08-44, Account No: 03737950
Account Name: The Training in Jungian Analytical Psychotherapy
(Please use your name as a reference)

Alternatively please send cheque made payable to ‘The Training in Jungian Analytical Psychotherapy’ and return with the completed form to:
Sue Harford, Administrator to the Training Committee, Unit 1A, West Stockwith Park, Stockwith Road, Misterton, Nottinghamshire. DN10 4ES.

For further details and queries contact:

Sue Harford, Administrator to the Training Committee,
telephone: 07789 545908, email: aptc@wmip.org

Download APTC Public Lecture A5 Booklet (pdf) >>