The Jungian Approach
Depth psychology that honors the wisdom of the unconscious and the journey toward wholeness.
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
— Carl Jung
Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and founder of analytical psychology, developed an approach to the psyche that honors both its light and shadow aspects. Unlike approaches that focus solely on symptoms, Jungian therapy seeks to understand the deeper meaning behind our struggles.
This depth-oriented approach recognizes that psychological symptoms often carry important messages from the unconscious. Rather than simply eliminating symptoms, we work to understand what they're trying to communicate, leading to more lasting transformation.
The goal is not simply to "fix" problems but to support the natural movement toward wholeness that Jung called individuation—becoming more fully who you were meant to be.
Key Concepts in Jungian Psychology
Understanding these fundamental ideas can help illuminate your own journey.
The Unconscious
Jung believed that beyond our conscious awareness lies a vast unconscious realm containing forgotten memories, repressed experiences, and archetypal patterns. Therapy helps make the unconscious conscious, freeing us from patterns we don't understand.
Individuation
The central concept in Jungian psychology—the lifelong process of becoming who you truly are. It involves integrating various aspects of the psyche into a more complete, authentic self.
Archetypes
Universal patterns and images that reside in the collective unconscious—the Hero, the Shadow, the Anima/Animus, the Wise Old Man/Woman. Recognizing these patterns helps us understand our behaviors and relationships.
The Shadow
The parts of ourselves we've rejected or hidden. Shadow work involves acknowledging and integrating these disowned aspects, leading to greater wholeness and reduced projection onto others.
Dreams
Dreams are messages from the unconscious, speaking in the language of symbols. Dream analysis reveals hidden aspects of ourselves and provides guidance for our life journey.
Symbols
The psyche speaks through symbols—in dreams, art, and daily life. Learning to understand symbolic language opens doors to deeper self-knowledge and healing.
Dream Work
Dreams have been honored as sources of wisdom across cultures throughout history. In Jungian therapy, dreams are seen as natural expressions of the unconscious, offering guidance we might not access through rational thinking alone.
Working with dreams involves learning their symbolic language. A snake in a dream, for instance, might represent transformation, healing energy, or shadow aspects— depending on the dreamer's personal associations and the dream's context.
Regular attention to dreams often leads to what Jung called "big dreams"—vivid, numinous experiences that can mark significant turning points in one's life journey.
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.— Carl Jung
Active Imagination
“One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.”— Carl Jung
Active imagination is a powerful technique developed by Carl Jung for engaging directly with the unconscious mind. In this practice, you enter a relaxed, receptive state and allow images, figures, or emotions to arise spontaneously, then engage with them through dialogue, visualization, or creative expression.
This technique is particularly well-suited for online therapy, as it requires no physical materials—only your willingness to turn inward. Through active imagination, we can access and integrate unconscious material, resolve inner conflicts, and foster dialogue between different aspects of the psyche.
Many clients find that active imagination provides profound insights that rational analysis alone cannot reach. The images and figures that emerge often carry wisdom from the deeper self, guiding us toward wholeness.
What to Expect in Therapy
Jungian therapy is a collaborative exploration. We begin by understanding what brought you to therapy and what you hope to achieve. From there, we work together to explore the deeper patterns and meanings underlying your experiences.
Sessions might include discussion of current life situations, exploration of dreams, creative exercises, or simply being present with whatever arises. The approach is tailored to your unique needs and natural inclinations.
This work requires patience and commitment. Unlike quick-fix approaches, depth therapy honors the psyche's own timing for revealing and healing. Many clients find that this slower, deeper work leads to more lasting and meaningful change.
Begin Your Journey of Self-Discovery
Schedule a consultation to explore how Jungian therapy might support your path.
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