We often overlook the importance of spirituality in psychology and that’s what Jungian Therapy emphasizes. This psychotherapy is based on one of the many theories of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung who believes that connecting with your inner “divine” or unconscious mind can help you get in touch with your thoughts and feelings.
Carl Jung’s theory explains that our unconscious mind plays a big role in shaping our thoughts and behaviors and connecting with our inner Self can help if you’re struggling with low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety.
Jungian therapy not only focuses on the symptoms but the individual. If you haven’t found the right therapy to help you resolve your issues, then Jungian therapy can be helpful.
Let’s take a look at what Jungian therapy is, the techniques it uses, how it benefits you, and what you should keep in mind before getting started.
What Is Jungian Therapy?
Created by Carl Jung, Jungian therapy is a type of psychodynamic psychotherapy that helps in personal growth and development. The Jungian approach to therapy states that when our inner Self or the “divine” inside us is blocked, it results in issues such as depression, addiction, anxiety, etc.
Carl Jung believed that our unconscious can become our ally and can help in our psychological growth and not just be a place to store our memories and painful experiences.
Jungian therapy is considered a holistic approach to psychotherapy as it combines psychotherapy tricks with the aspect of spirituality and Self.
Techniques In Jungian Therapy
Techniques used in Jungian therapy are often holistic-based and can involve working with tools such as art, myths, dreams, and symbols. A Jungian psychologist helps their client understand these tools, the meaning behind them, and how important they are for an individual.
Remember, this therapy approach can be a long process as exploring a person’s unconscious mind takes time.
Here are some techniques that are used in Jungian therapy:
Art: Art is an amazing tool to access your unconscious mind. With art, you can learn your self-image and what kind of themes arise when you focus on a problem.
Dreams: Dream analysis is also an amazing tool to connect with your unconscious mind. You will be taught to maintain a dream journal to record your dreams when you wake up in the morning.
Imagination: With this technique, you learn to imagine yourself in situations that represent your current problem. This will help you explore the situation much better.
Word Association: This tool is also an important one. With word association, you say the first word that pops into your mind after you hear a word. This helps in uncovering your unconscious thoughts that may be influencing your actions.
Jungian Therapy Goals
The goal of Carl Jung’s Jungian therapy is to achieve a sense of individuality. This is an ongoing process where different areas of your personality are nurtured to function in sync. Jungian therapy pays attention to psychological growth and development.
You work with your therapist to set goals that can change or alter as you and your therapist become aware of other aspects you might’ve ignored in the past.
An example: If your goal at the beginning of the therapy was to become more productive but over time you realized that you have neglected companionship and that neglected need is blocking your progress, then your goal may be altered accordingly.
Issues Jungian Therapy Can Help With
If you’re looking for a therapy approach that helps you with self-exploration, personal or psychological growth, then Jungian therapy can help. Not only this, but the Jungian therapy approach can help resolve unresolved emotional problems.
In this therapy, the therapist provides you with a chance to explore the source of your problems through dream analysis, art, play, myths, or imagination.
Jungian therapy can help with issues such as:
Depression
Anxiety
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Phobias and fears
Personality disorders
Somatic problems
Jungian Therapy Benefits
Jungian therapy has many advantages and can be beneficial if you want to learn more about the hidden aspects of your personality. Once you get to know your inner self, you feel more in control of your mind and can learn to make more responsible decisions by tapping into your inner wisdom, inspiration, and knowledge.
Jungian therapy also offers a safe space where you can talk about problems you might not be comfortable talking about with your family or friends.
Jungian therapy can also help you create a meaningful life as you slowly become aware of yourself on a deeper level. You learn to see the big picture and how your actions affect the people and the world.
Jungian therapy takes a lot of time, effort, and patience but the result, in the end, is always worth it!
Before You Get Started…
Jungian therapy may not work for everyone and if you’re uncomfortable working with symbols, myths, dreams, and the aspects of spirituality, then Jungian therapy may not be the right choice for you.
To find a Jungian therapist, you need to do extensive research and talk to others who’ve had Jungian therapy experience to understand how the therapist works in a therapeutic setting. It can be difficult to find a Jungian psychologist but not impossible.
If you feel that Jungian therapy can help you, then you can begin by finding the right therapist. You can visit the International Association for Analytical Psychology to find a therapist.
You can also ask your existing therapist if they are aware of Jungian psychology. If they are then they may be able to help you, if not, then they can refer you to one.
During the first few sessions, you and your therapist will work on creating a therapeutic relationship and they may ask you more about your background, family, and symptoms. These questions can help determine what kind of approach or technique can be more beneficial for you.
You can also ask them questions about how they practice, if they had prior experience with Jungian therapy, etc. Jungian therapy may last for several years and the cost can be high. Make sure you consult with your healthcare provider for financial queries before getting started.
I hope the above information can help you find the right solution for your psychological problems. Remember, even if Jungian therapy takes time, your efforts, time, and sweat will be worth it in the end.
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