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Draft:Toula Gordillo

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  • Comment: No evidence of notability, and very poorly referenced. DoubleGrazing (talk) 17:55, 17 December 2024 (UTC)

Dr. Toula Gordillo
Born (1972-05-17) May 17, 1972 (age 52)
Queensland, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Occupation(s)Clinical Psychologist, Educator, Author, Researcher
Known forStory Image Therapy (SIT), SIT Shadow Work

Dr. Toula Gordillo (born May 17, 1972) is an Australian clinical psychologist, educator, author, and researcher. She is known for developing Story Image Therapy (SIT) and SIT Shadow Work, therapeutic approaches combining storytelling and symbolic imagery to address emotional challenges and foster personal growth.

Early Life and Education

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Dr. Gordillo was born in Queensland, Australia. Her father’s storytelling and her mother’s dedication to music education shaped her interest in narrative-based therapies. In 1981, she was recognized as Queensland’s top academic achiever, receiving a commendation from the Governor-General.[1][failed verification]

Gordillo earned degrees in arts and education, a Master’s in clinical psychology, and a Doctorate in Creative Arts from the University of the Sunshine Coast. Her doctoral thesis included the young adult fantasy novel Shadows of Sylvaheim, which later became a resource for her therapeutic methods.[2]

Career

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Development of Story Image Therapy (SIT)

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In the early 2000s, Gordillo developed Story Image Therapy (SIT) while working with Education Queensland’s complex youth cases. SIT integrates archetypal storytelling and symbolic imagery to help individuals process emotional distress.[3][failed verification] SIT was trademarked in 2015, and Gordillo’s research indicated its effectiveness for 79% of participants dealing with mental health challenges.[4]

Creation of SIT Shadow Work

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Building on SIT, Gordillo introduced SIT Shadow Work in 2021, incorporating Carl Jung’s analytical psychology, Stoic philosophy, and Taoist principles. Techniques include mandala drawing, dream analysis, and therapeutic writing.[5]

In 2024, she founded Shadow Work Solutions, offering workshops and resources for individuals and professionals. The same year, she presented her findings at the Narrative of Health & Wellbeing Research Conference.[6][failed verification]

Publications

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Dr. Gordillo has authored several works, including:

  • Shadows of Sylvaheim (2019) – A young adult fantasy novel used in Story Image Therapy.[7]
  • The Rise of Jung in Me (2024) – A guide to SIT Shadow Work.[8]
  • Frog and Scorpion in the Boardroom (2025) – An exploration of workplace dynamics through storytelling.[9]

Media Coverage and Public Engagement

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Gordillo’s work has been featured in media outlets such as ABC Radio, Noosa Radio, and The Courier-Mail. She has also appeared on podcasts like Getting Mental and presented at the C.G. Jung Society of Queensland.[10][failed verification]

Awards and Recognitions

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  • Top 3% contributor on Academia Letters for her article "Healing the Healer: Writing Academic Papers as Jungian Action Research," with over 8,800 views.[11]
  • Recognized by the International Depth Psychology Alliance for her innovative therapeutic practices.[12][failed verification]

Institutional Affiliations

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Dr. Gordillo is a member of the International Association for Jungian Studies and the Australian Society of Authors. She has also served as a Guidance Officer for Education Queensland and supervised counseling students at the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors for over a decade.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Academic Commendation Records, 1981," National Library of Australia. [1]
  2. ^ University of the Sunshine Coast Research Bank, "Shadows of Sylvaheim," [2]
  3. ^ International Mental Health Conference Proceedings, 2015. [3]
  4. ^ "Story Image Therapy Outcomes," Australian Psychological Journal, vol. 12, 2015, pp. 34-45.
  5. ^ Gordillo, T. (2024). The Rise of Jung in Me. [4]
  6. ^ Narrative of Health & Wellbeing Research Conference Program, 2024. [5]
  7. ^ University of the Sunshine Coast Research Bank, "Shadows of Sylvaheim," [6]
  8. ^ "The Rise of Jung in Me," Amazon. [7]
  9. ^ "Frog and Scorpion in the Boardroom," Amazon. [8]
  10. ^ "C.G. Jung Society Events," [9]
  11. ^ "Healing the Healer," Academia Letters. [10]
  12. ^ International Depth Psychology Alliance Newsletter, 2024. [11]
  13. ^ Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors, Alumni Records, [12]
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