Clinical Psychologist,
Jungian Psychotherapist &
Author
Welcome
Hello. My name is Dr Toula Gordillo and I represent Talk to Teens Australia and the Universal Psychology Network (UPN). UPN is a non-profit organisation aimed at improving all people’s holistic health through a blend of ancient and modern science, spirituality and storytelling. My method is called Story Image Therapy (SIT®) education…. and the results have been AMAZING.
I write Young Adult mythic fantasy fiction, and philosophical self-help books. My goal is for everyone to know themselves more deeply, and heal unconscious issues (generally since childhood and adolescence), to achieve a healthy work-life balance. Audiobooks, training packages and other print materials will soon be available for purchase on this website!
Story Image Therapy education uses various tools (books, audiobooks, poster images and archetypal cards) to:
- engage a person’s imagination
- help them to become more self-aware
- assist with stress coping and balance and
- deliver positive holistic health information
SIT® is especially helpful in high-pressured education and business environments. Click HERE to learn more about me. When it comes to modern health and wellness, my mantra is simple:
the more stories and images,
the better
Books
Learn more about Dr Toula’s written work such as Shadows of Sylvaheim (a Jungian mythic fantasy novel used in various SIT programs and workshops. Available as a novel, ebook and audiobook), The Rise of Jung in Me (Dr Toula’s soon-to-be published own journey story to healing the inner “wounded adolescent” and enhancing youth resilience), and The Frog and Scorpion in Me (coming soon). She also has numerous other book chapters, journal articles and literary pieces available upon request.
SIT Programs
SIT Solution programs are designed for use in business, education, community and government organisations. Story Image Therapy tools (such as early reading and writing symbolic posters) teach individuals about holistic health and personality development. They also offer a brief introduction to inner child/adolescent shadow work for adults. To deliver the program in education or business organisations, participation in customised SIT sessions or workshops may be required.
SIT Workshops
Story Image Therapy workshops offer an experiential method for youth and adults to educate and heal themselves through SIT stories and images. The workshops actively promote the removal of unconscious blockages (to achieve balance and facilitate achievement of personal goals) by recognising our shadow and the wounded child or adolescent within. Customised SIT workshops are based on universal psychology and natural law philosophy, adapted to suit the needs of an organisation.
FEATURED BOOK
Shadows of Sylvaheim
As part of her doctoral degree, Toula wrote a Young Adult (YA) mythic heroic fantasy novel now entitled Shadows of Sylvaheim. It is a coming-of-age story that describes two siblings’ heroic journey to confront and integrate their personal “shadows” in a mythical universe called Sylvaheim. The novel is based on the teachings of Dr Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell and the ancient Stoic philosophers. (The novel is available for purchase from Amazon Australia, Amazon US or Feather Knight Books. The audiobook version is also available on Spotify, Audible and Google Play).
Story synopsis
Following a family trauma and the discovery of a huge family secret, sixteen-year-old Jack and his quirky sister Emily (14) are catapulted into a world of pain, and fantasy. In a symbolic exploration of the character’s unconscious mind, Jack battles an ogre, converses with a riddle-talking tree, falls in love with a sea nymph and visits Faerieland. His ultimate battle is to defeat Lord Batu Glass…a physical representation of a potential drug addiction ‘chasing’ Jack as he learns how to cope.
Separated from her brother by a huge hedge of silver, Jack’s sister, Emily, is simultaneously stuck in an Estonian bog whilst pursued by the new trickster goddess, Morgana. Emily’s character also gets her shadow ‘cut’ in a symbolic acknowledgement of confronting and integrating our own shadow in Jungian psychology. Soon after, she confronts her greatest fear as she escapes from a cave of magic with a Valkyrie from Norse mythology.
While the reader is absorbed in the story, they are learning effective ways of coping with grief and loss, poverty, trauma, drug and alcohol addictions. It is a teaching tool, used during Story Image Therapy and SIT education, for all ages.
“Mental health problems are rising INTERNATIONALLY. Clearly, our present methods are ineffective or insufficient. I propose we do something different. It begins with becoming aware of our shadow.” ~ Dr Toula Gordillo.
Latest reviews
Shadows of Sylvaheim
By Marianne Curley – International Bestselling YA Fantasy Author 2021 
“I really believe you have a winning book there, and with your expertise, one that will help young people. You can’t get better than that! Best wishes, Marianne”.
By Dominic Towler – Guidance Officer, Chancellor State College 2022
“Seen through the eyes of teenagers Jack and Emily, Dr Gordillo cleverly manages to intertwine self-sabotaging self-talk and other common undermining habits of this age group with Jungian psychology… Shadows offers people a chance to step back and consider some of the really important values in life – trust, authentic relationships, family and self-belief.”
Shadows of Sylvaheim has been endorsed by International best-selling YA fantasy author of The Guardians of Time series, Marianne Curley. She states: “I really believe you have a winning book there, and with your expertise, one that will help young people. You can’t get better than that! Best wishes, Marianne”.
This is a fantasy novel like no other. On the surface it looks like a regular fiction book for teens. However, as I delved further into the reading of this book, I began to realise the depth of the psychological concepts the author has woven into it. The research behind it is quite amazing. It truly is a reading experience for everyone.
Shadows of Sylvaheim by Toula Gordillo is the perfect gift for teens who love adventure. This mythic fantasy novel is not just entertaining, it is an inspirational guide for those seeking to find the truth within themselves.
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