About Jungian Coaching
Techniques include holding, witnessing with empathy and developing the capacity for symbolisation. Jungian principles draw on insights from the humanities and natural world, are intellectually robust and demonstrate an appreciation of imagination, intuition and feeling ways of knowing. Clients are guided to take notice of the symbols in their dreams, and inner and outer events which interest and move them. These symbols are valued as communication from the unconscious and offer unique, safe and productive ways to navigate rites of passage into new cycles.
Carl Jung is known for his work in the space of adult development and is often discovered by clients who are questioning their roles, relationships and identity. Jung’s notion of individuation is that of a self-healing journey to reconcile opposing needs, viewed through the lens of the collective - now and throughout history.
"The urge and compulsion to self-realisation is a law of nature and thus of invincible power, even though it's effect, at the outset, is insignificant and improbable."
- Carl Jung, The Collected Works of C.G. Jung Volume 9i: Archetypes & the Collective Unconscious
Some of the Carl Jung's key theories
1. Analytical Psychology:
Jung's overarching framework for understanding the human psyche is called analytical psychology. It differs from Freudian psychoanalysis in several ways, particularly in its emphasis on the collective unconscious and the exploration of spirituality and the quest for meaning in life.
2. Collective Unconscious:
Jung proposed the existence of a collective unconscious, a layer of the unconscious mind shared by all human beings. Within the collective unconscious are archetypes, which are universal symbols and themes that are inherited and influence human behavior and thought. Examples of archetypes include the Hero, the Mother, and the Shadow.
3. Archetypes:
Archetypes are recurring symbols or themes in human mythology, art, religion, and dreams. Jung believed that these archetypes are expressions of the collective unconscious and that they shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Understanding and integrating these archetypes can lead to personal growth and individuation.
4. Individuation:
Individuation is the central concept in Jungian psychology. It refers to the process of becoming one's true, unique self by integrating the various aspects of the unconscious, including both personal and collective elements. It involves a journey of self-discovery and self-actualization.
5. Personality Types:
Jung introduced the idea of personality types, which laid the foundation for the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). He identified several dichotomies, such as introversion vs. extraversion, thinking vs. feeling, sensation vs. intuition, and judging vs. perceiving, to describe different personality preferences and orientations.
6. Psychological Functions:
Jung described four primary psychological functions through which individuals perceive and process information: thinking, feeling, sensation, and intuition. These functions operate in different combinations and are central to understanding how individuals interact with the world and make decisions.
7. Complexes:
Jung introduced the concept of complexes, which are emotionally charged groups of thoughts and feelings that are related to a particular theme or archetype. Complexes can influence behavior and often manifest in patterns of thinking and reacting.
8. Dream Analysis:
Jung believed that dreams are a window into the unconscious and that they contain valuable insights about an individual's psyche. He developed a method of dream analysis to explore the symbolic meanings and messages within dreams.
9. Self-Realization:
Jungian therapy and analysis aim to help individuals achieve self-realization and greater awareness of their unconscious processes. This involves embracing all aspects of one's personality, both the conscious and unconscious, to achieve a sense of wholeness.
10. Spirituality and Religion:
Carl Jung had a deep interest in spirituality and the role of religion in the human psyche. He explored the idea that religious symbols and experiences were expressions of the collective unconscious and provided a means for individuals to connect with deeper aspects of themselves.
