Two Birds in a Tree: Glossary: Analytical Psychology

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Glossary: Analytical Psychology

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens."
- C.G. Jung

A form of depth psychology that, like Freud’s psychoanalysis, theorizes that psychological problems (neuroses) arise from the unconscious. Therefore, the only true solution to such problems is to enter into a dialog with one’s unconscious. This begins with paying attention to one’s dreams, since dreams are one of the few places where the conscious and unconscious parts of the psyche meet.

In analytical psychology the important thing is that the analyst be psychologically healthy, as Jung held that the crucial healing factor was the analyst’s personality itself, not any technique that they may bring to the therapeutic encounter. The aim of therapy isn’t to “fix” a person but to provide support as they go through a time of challenge and growth and come out the other side a more integrated human being.

Analytical psychology is characterized by a radically anti-authoritarian approach. The analyst is to approach every encounter with an open mind and an open heart, with no pre-conceived notions of what the analysand needs. This is partly to avoid infantalizing the analysand but mostly because we never know what the unconscious is planning.

The aim of analysis is a widening of the conscious personality by integrating parts of ourselves that have fallen into the unconscious, usually starting with the shadow; continuing to the animus or anima; the Wise Old Woman/Man; and, finally, the Self. This leads to a strong, flexible, lively ego, and a life that is felt as deeply meaningful.

[Analysis] is only a means for removing the stones from the path of development, and not a method… of putting things into the patient that were not there before. It is better to renounce any attempt to give direction, and simply try to throw into relief everything that the analysis brings to light, so that the patient can see it clearly and be able to draw suitable conclusions. Anything he has not acquired himself he will not believe in the long run, and what he takes over from authority merely keeps him infantile. He should rather be put in a position to take his own life in hand. The art of analysis lies in following the patient on all his erring ways and so gathering his strayed sheep together.

- “Some Crucial Points in Psychoanalysis," CW 4, par. 643

That’s why in Jungian therapy we offer the patient an opportunity to establish a unique relationship which is not a technique of therapy, but a personal encounter. That’s why Jung said to forget all psychological theories when you meet the patient. Just meet him with your heart and your mind as a unique human being. Then every encounter is an adventure…

- Marie Louise von Franz (from Fraser Boa's "The Way of the Dream," p. 71)

Quotes on Jungian, or analytical, psychology:

The Jungian approach observes that our personality spontaneously produces images which symbolically communicate the means of resolving a given impasse and — more generally — the unique life course for each individual in pursuit of meaning and satisfaction to follow. In practical terms the Jungian focus studies dreams as a way of getting at this deeper source of knowledge. Such has been my enduring fascination: to learn the nature of our symbolic language, to understand its value in the therapeutic setting and to discover its relevance to solving human problems in general.

- J. Gary Sparks

Jungian analysis is the psychotherapeutic process of re-establishing a healthy balance between the conscious and unconscious parts of our personality as we strive towards wholeness, not perfection. In the process, our ego is strengthened by integration of what we call the shadow, or the unconscious parts of our personality. We strive to establish a healthier relationship with our contra-sexual side and ultimately to develop a connection with the greater personality, the Self. This is accomplished through work with dreams, which reveal what is missing from our conscious perception, through discussion of everyday events and problems and through any other creative medium, ie. sandplay, art, movement, etc. The result of this work is a mitigation of unhealthy behavior patterns and greater consciousness, leading to a healthier, more filling life.

Nancy Furlotti, M.A.

Analytical Psychology focuses on attending to the soul and thriving toward wholeness through the individuation process, the process of differentiating and integrating unconscious contents

Meredith Mitchell, Ph.D.

Jungian analysis supports the work of individuation by fostering a reciprocal relationship between conscious and unconscious, personal and transpersonal, spirit and matter, all of which includes the religious function of the psyche as the transforming agent.