Drawing on decades of experience as a senior forensic psychologist, Dr. Peter W. Demuth explores the psychological roots of violence and the human potential for evil through the lens of Jungian psychology and literature. Integrating his clinical work with offenders and his training as a Jungian analyst, he examines how factors such as psychological adaptation, behavioral reinforcement, ego development, and personal responsibility shape moral and emotional life.
Using well-known literary “monsters” as case studies, Dr. Demuth illustrates how Jungian concepts—including the shadow, archetypes, and complexes—can illuminate the darker dimensions of the psyche. Through these stories, participants are invited to reflect on psychopathy, the possibilities for psychological growth, and the ways the darker potentials of human nature may appear in both individuals and society.
Bio
Dr. Peter Walter Demuth is a Jungian analyst and licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Evanston, Illinois. He received his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and his Diplomate in Jungian Analysis from the C. G. Jung Institute of Chicago. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has worked extensively in both clinical and forensic psychology, treating a wide range of psychological concerns including depression, addiction, personality disorders, and relationship issues.
Dr. Demuth has held senior positions in several major institutions, including Chief Forensic Psychologist at Elgin Mental Health Center and Assistant Chief of Psychology at Crownsville Hospital Center. He has also served on the faculty of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the University of Baltimore. His publications include “Monsters in Life and Literature: A Forensic Psychologist Reflects on the Nature of Good and Evil (2023)” and he has presented internationally on Jungian psychology, literature, and the dynamics of the psyche. He currently serves as President of the Chicago Society of Jungian Analysts.