Dan Keusal, M.S., LMFT

Jungian Psychotherapy for Individuals & Couples

"Find Your Purpose, Heal Your Pain, Live With Passion"
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Email:
Dan Keusal, MS, LMFT Psychotherapist. Phone: (206) 523-1340. Email: dankeusal@dankeusal.com. 
Jungian film discussion:
Archetypes, Symbols, and Images in
"As Good As It Gets"
Saturday 4/4/26 
3:30-5:00 PM
Facilitated by: Dan Keusal, M.S., LMFT
In person, Good Shepherd Center, Room 223
4649 Sunnyside Ave N Seattle, WA 98103
Fee: $10
Space is limited. Registration required:
To register, visit the C.G. Jung Society Seattle website.

Jung once wrote that “the greatest and most important problems in life can never be solved, only outgrown.” This “outgrowing,” he added, “requires a new level of consciousness,” and that as this happens, the problem is not “solved,” but rather “fades when confronted with a new and stronger life urge.” 

In the movie “As Good As It Gets,” Melvin Udall is a rich, successful romance novelist whose personal life is secretly riddled with significant problems.

As he gradually discovers a new and stronger life urge—his appreciation for and eventually love of “Carol” (played by Helen Hunt), the waitress who endures his rude, abrasive defenses as she serves him his breakfast each day—he is first thrown into psychological uncertainty and turmoil, both of which are usually required to achieve the new level of consciousness of which Jung wrote, but then comes to illustrate perfectly what Jung meant when he wrote about the impact of a new level of consciousness. 

Nicholson and Hunt, by the way, won the 1997 Oscars for best actor and best actress, only the 7th time in the history of the Academy Awards that both the best actor and best actress came from same film—and it has not happened since.

We will discuss key scenes from this movie, and reflect on both the initial problems of its characters, and how those characters gradually evolved—how they individuated.

NOTE: viewing the film ahead of time is recommended, but not required.

Dan Keusal, MS, LMFT is now in his 33st year as a Jungian psychotherapist and his 28th year as a professional astrologer in Seattle. He is the author of numerous essays exploring the integration of depth psychology, spirituality, astrology, the arts, and everyday life. He has been invited to speak at Microsoft, multiple Jung Societies, Seattle University, the Northwest Astrological Conference, and dozens of other businesses, churches, schools, and community & professional groups. His personal passions include baseball, books, movies, photography…and coffee.