Jungian Therapy, also known as analytical psychology, is a form of psychotherapy that originated from the work of Carl Jung. I studied Carl Jung and Jungian therapy as part of my doctoral training in psychology, and even though it is not my preferred model of therapy, I want to talk about it today to continue with my overview of all types of therapy.
The main reason I do not use this model much in my clinical practice is that I primarily work with anxiety disorders and OCD, and Jungian therapy is not used to treat these, but it has, on occasion, informed by practice as it’s about understanding yourself, your patterns of behaviour, personal growth and self-realization.
Jungian Therapy promotes a process called individuation, which is the journey towards self-realization. This involves integrating the conscious and unconscious aspects of the mind, leading to a more balanced and authentic self. It’s all about authenticity and can be a bit hard to get your head around his ideas at first so I shall give examples where appropriate.
JThis is a level of the unconscious that contains archetypes, which are universal symbols and themes that recur across cultures and time. These archetypes can manifest in our dreams, fantasies, and behaviours, and understanding them can provide insights into our psyche.
Another key aspect of Jungian Therapy is the exploration of the shadow. This is the part of our psyche that contains aspects of ourselves that we deny or reject. By confronting and integrating our shadow, we can achieve a greater sense of wholeness and authenticity.
The Origins and Development of Jungian Therapy
Jung’s work was heavily influenced by his interest in mythology, religion, and philosophy. He believed that these fields of study offered valuable insights into the human psyche. This led him to develop the concept of the collective unconscious, which is a central pillar of Jungian Therapy.
Jung talks about the collective unconscious. When I was doing my research for this article I came across my old doctoral thesis from over 20 years ago. I spoke about how in my early 20’s I started traditional sean-nos dancing, which means ‘old style.’ This traditional style of dance is passed from one generation to the another, indeed the first solo dance I learned as a child ‘The Blackbird’ come from an 11th or 12th century Irish poem and the ‘steps’ were added around 1750. It is reportedly the oldest solo step dance known.
What has this got to do with Jung? My story was to introduce you to an aspect of my identity, and alludes to Jungian ideas of collective unconscious. At the time of my studies, I was in therapy with a transpersonal therapist and it came up that I play certain music when need to be soothes, and these songs had been passed from one generation to the next.
The Collective Unconscious and Archetypes
Even though I am not Jung’s biggest fan, I have to admit that I have always liked his ideas of archetypes, which I shall touch on briefly below.
These archetypes, according to Jung, are inherited and not learned, forming a kind of psychological DNA.
- The Hero is a courageous figure who overcomes challenges and adversities. The Hero’s journey is about bravery, self-sacrifice, and pursuing a significant goal.
- The Shadow represents our darker side, containing hidden or suppressed aspects of ourselves. It embodies chaos and the unknown.
- The Anima/Animus is the feminine inner personality in men (Anima) and the masculine inner personality in women (Animus). It reflects gender dynamics and the balance of traits within each person.
- The Mentor is a wise and guiding figure who supports and teaches the hero. Mentors provide wisdom, knowledge, and support.
- The Trickster is a mischievous, chaotic figure who challenges the status quo. The Trickster often uses humour and wit to create change and reveal hidden truths.
- The Maiden represents innocence, purity, and often the beginning of a journey of self-discovery. The Maiden archetype is associated with youth and potential.
- The Caregiver is nurturing, compassionate, and has the desire to help others. The Caregiver is often self-sacrificing and supportive.
- The Ruler represents leadership, power, and control. The Ruler archetype strives for order, stability, and authority.
If you would like to read more about archtypes, I recommend starting with article by PositivePsychology.
The Process of Individuation
Individuation is a central concept in Jungian Therapy. It refers to the lifelong process of becoming an individual, or in Jung’s words, the process of becoming one’s true self. This involves integrating the conscious and unconscious parts of the psyche.
The individuation process is unique to each person. It involves confronting and integrating the shadow, reconciling with the anima or animus, and developing a relationship with the self. This journey towards self-realization is often challenging but can lead to a greater sense of wholeness and fulfilment.
In Jungian Therapy, the therapist guides the individual through the individuation process. This involves helping the individual confront and integrate the various aspects of their psyche.
Jungian theory while interesting is not used much in the Health Care setting that I have worked in,.ie private practice, The National Health Service and Universities, and these institutions and myself follow certain guidelines which state what models of therapy work best for specific conditions, and it is usually more scientifically based models such as CBT that will be used should you decide to attend for therapy.