Meet Dr Toula Gordillo
Hello, I’m Dr Toula, an Australian clinical and Jungian psychologist, and the creator of Story Image Therapy (SIT®) and SIT Shadow Work™.
For over thirty years, I’ve supported people from diverse backgrounds using creative, holistic approaches to personal growth and transformation. My work is especially helpful for those seeking deeper insight beyond traditional talk therapy.
As a writer, teacher and healer, I offer scientifically supported tools to help people understand their unconscious thoughts, emotions and behaviours. These tools are offered through Story Image Therapy sessions, workshops, and the Shadow Self program.
What is Story Image Therapy?
. Story Image Therapy (SIT®, commonly pronounced “sit” as in to sit and reflect) is an innovative approach developed by Dr Toula Gordillo that blends modern psychological science with ancient philosophical wisdom.
SIT uses symbolic stories and images grounded in research, lived experience and Jungian depth psychology. SIT can assist with clinical issues (such as anxiety, depression, stress, burnout etc.) as well as personal and professional development.
Reflecting on symbolic stories and images guided by a trained SIT coach, counsellor or therapist (*dependent on skills, qualifications and what’s required) allows insight to emerge without blame or judgement.
SIT further offers self-awareness, emotional understanding and a stronger sense of meaning and agency than regular methods. This deeper work is supported by SIT tools — including books, audiobooks, posters and archetypal cards — and is known as SIT Shadow Work™.
Key feature of SIT
Story Image Therapy uses the best of both worlds: the depth and meaning of ancestral knowledge with the clarity and structure of modern science
What is SIT Shadow Work?
Carl Jung described the Shadow Self as the hidden parts of our personality — feelings, traits and habits — we learn to suppress as we grow. This is because they’re considered socially unacceptable to us or others, or too uncomfortable or painful to work through.
While often avoided or ignored, the shadow holds valuable insight and potential for growth when analysed.
SIT Shadow Work is the practical application of Story Image Therapy. It’s used to help people recognise, embrace and integrate their unconscious Shadow Self (particularly unresolved issues called complexes) into daily life. In practice, this approach helps people to:
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Connect with timeless meaning through stories and archetypes shared across cultures
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Integrate mind, body and spirit for whole-person ‘psychospiritual’ development
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Create lasting change by combining deep meaning with practical psychological tools
Media Features Books & Professional Recognitions
Media Features & Interviews
Featured on leading radio shows and magazines.
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My Approach & Philosophy
Beneath our everyday thoughts lies the unconscious mind—an unseen force shaping our choices, relationships and identity. By exploring these with scientifically supported techniques like SIT, we can uncover patterns, release emotional blocks and become more empowered.
Trusted By Professionals & Clients
Ask most business owners and managers what challenges them most and they will likely answer ‘staff’ or ‘office politics’. Being adept at working with different personalities and communication styles can be the difference between successful business and failure; between a collegiate workplace, and low morale. Dr Toula’s books should be read by all business owners, and her programs and workshops integrated into employee orientation.
"I've been in charge of several government teams and I truly believe that any thought leader or manager should do their own shadow work to develop professionally. Based on research and proven to be effective, SIT Shadow Work™ is the best there is."
Dr Toula is extremely passionate about helping people to unlock and discover their unconscious patterns or blockages preventing them from achieving their goals. Understanding how I can unlock the power of my unconscious mind, through stories and images, has helped me personally. It has also provided me with extremely useful tools I can use with my coaching clients. I highly recommend Dr Toula for you, your staff or clients.
Based upon what I had read in The Rise of Jung in Me, I shared [with my client] the stories of the Frog and Scorpion and the Caring Continuum. This led into a wonderful discussion regarding listening to one’s intuition, followed by somatic work… I’m finding the book very helpful as a therapist and a father.
