Jungian Depth Psychology
A Jungian approach to therapy responds to the deeper needs of individuals in the
contemporary world. This includes providing answers to such questions as the nature of both
women's and men's psychology and the place of religious, spiritual and other higher
values in life.
Although one may be attracted to this approach to therapy for various reasons, a
typical client often experiences a sense of alienation and meaninglessness in life along
with symptoms of anxiety and depression. In some cases one is already on a spiritual
path and seeking more self-awareness. Others have read books by Jung or some of his
disciples and are interested in individuation and the individuation process. Jung used
the latter term to describe a life that is creatively directed by the Self or wholeness.
To put oneself consciously on that path is the ultimate goal of Jungian therapy.
Approach
There are essentially three aspects to Jungian depth therapy. The first is to work
on questions of conscious vital concern to the person in therapy. The second is to examine
dreams and other products of the imagination in order to bring the unconscious to conscious
awareness along with the implications. The third is to creatively allow for the resulting
increase in consciousness to affect the actual conduct of life.
The Role of the Therapist
The therapist has the dual role of representing an "ideal other" and of acting
as a mirror for the individual in therapy. The latter is done through sympathetic attention to
both conscious concerns, thought, feelings and intuitions and to material that emerges from the
unconscious by way of dreams and fantasy.
Jungian Depth Therapy
Jungian depth therapy is grounded on the work of C.G. Jung. It can be described as the
psychological orientation of therapists who believe that it is not the surface appearance
but what lies in the deeper unconscious levels of the psyche that denotes the true
personality.
Jung conceived personality to be organized around the Self, which is both the centre of
wholeness and individuality and wholeness itself. The principal psychological task, therefore,
is to become reconnected to the Self, from which we have all become separated because of our
own personal history and societal pressures. This means getting in touch with the uniqueness
of our being.
The second major goal of this form of therapy is to become aware of the archetypes or
instinctive patterns of behaviour as they affect one's personal psychology and life. One
can do so by way of becoming conscious of images as they are presented to the inner eye
through dream, imagination and vision. The goal in this regard is greater consciousness and
the fulfillment of the Self in life.
Jung uses the term individuation process to describe a life that is creatively
directed by the Self or one's wholeness. To put oneself consciously on this path is the
ultimate goal of therapy.
«The Self is our life's goal, for it is the completest expression of that fateful combination we call individuality.»
~ C.G. Jung
