Although my training included Family Systems theory, Humanistic, Gestalt and psychodynamic theory, my main interest and postgraduate training was in Jungian analytic psychotherapy. Carl Gustav Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist, was Sigmund Freud’s protégée. However, he parted ways with the master to develop his own unique psychology. Jung was an explorer of the realm of the unconscious and came to understand that we are all individuals within a larger collective and that we have unique and purposeful lives to live. He discovered that there are themes and archetypal motifs common to all humans; and yet, as individuals, we have our own unique mythology. That within each of us are seeds of potential to be developed, but often trauma, difficult life experiences, and diseases of body & soul can arrest that development and inhibit the life force. Potential becomes blocked by these challenges and consequently impedes our ability to live a fuller, healthier and more creative life. The process of Jungian Psychotherapy can free up that potential.
The Jungian approach values the symbolic life and understands that the unconscious communicates though the symbolic imagery of dreams, fantasies and creative expression such as painting, sculpting and journaling. Jungian therapy promotes a dialogue and communication with the unconscious Self that can shed light into the dark corners of who we are and free up unrealized potential or creative energy.
In my more than thirty years in private practice I have come to know, both personally and professionally, that there are many psychological injuries that can be healed, but that there are also some that cannot. However, we can learn to compensate for such deep injuries by developing other parts of ourselves so that we do not lead with our wounds.