What
is Jungian Analysis?
Jungian analysis, evolving from the rich and extensive theories
of the renowned Swiss psychiatrist C.G. Jung, is a method of depth
psychotherapeutic treatment and personal inner development. Jung
defined psychological wellness as the balance between the demands
of an outer life of family and relationships, work and social obligations,
and an inner life of spiritual values and personal meaning. He observed
that in the course of living these two essential aspects of who
we are cannot help but diverge and fall out of workable balance.
This imbalance is often at the root of psychological suffering and
distress.
While most psychologies primarily address disturbances in outer
life, what distinguishes Jungian analysis from them is that it aims
at treating the whole person, both inner and outer. Jungian analyis
endeavors to work through felt suffering beyond the amelioration
of symptoms in order to discover their symbolic meaning for the
balance of the person as a whole, and to discern in these symptoms
unseen opportunities for growth. Beyond caring for immediate distress,
access to a deeper, unrealized balance is achieved by working from
this symbolic, or meaning based perspective with dreams, guided
and free-form imagery and artistic productions. Jung demonstrated
that such spontaneous and creative material is the doorway beyond
suffering to a deeper wellness, if not spiritual growth and development.
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