The realm of the psyche can be an intimidating space to navigate alone, yet Jungian psychotherapy provides a secure foundation for delving into your inner world. The journey of self-reflection, guided by the mindful and supportive presence of a therapist, can be both affirming and conducive to personal growth. Central to this process is self-discovery, a core element of the therapeutic process that is facilitated by a genuine curiosity about oneself.

For many, the prospect of sharing personal challenges with another person can be daunting. Establishing a strong connection between you and the therapist is paramount, as the therapeutic relationship thrives on mutual trust—something people may often find challenging. Creating an environment of safety is essential to the therapeutic journey, hence the consistency of sessions at a particular time. It's important to acknowledge that therapy demands an investment of time, money, energy, and commitment. Hence, selecting the right therapist tailored to your specific concerns is pivotal to a successful therapeutic experience.

Typically, individuals experience a sense of relief during these initial sessions, finding solace in freely discussing their difficulties without judgment. While immediate resolution may not occur, the opportunity to be heard and engaged with, in a respectful and sensitive manner, often validates one’s humanity. It's common for individuals to feel some anxiety before the first meeting, as uncertainties about the therapeutic process and the therapist abound.

My role as therapist involves attentive listening, clarification, highlighting potential links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may not be immediately apparent, interpretation, and when appropriate, challenging stuck patterns. While direct advice is not the norm, therapy includes collaborative discussions about more effective coping strategies within the context of a shared understanding of the problems. The goal is to empower you with increased mindfulness and self-awareness. If necessary, I can introduce and discuss various techniques for emotional regulation. I might provide active imagination exercises, particularly when addressing different aspects of self or within the context of parts integration, or offer assistance in analyzing dreams.

Your role as patient is to openly discuss what is happening in your life and how you are currently navigating your difficulties and challenges. You are encouraged to bring to the sessions for exploration and discussion any life experiences, conflicts, celebrations, incidents triggering strong reactions, irritations with others, observed patterns in yourself or within family dynamics, personal inner thoughts, questions about life, your waking or night-time dreams, or even your Enneagram report.

The Milkwood tree (Photo above) is a symbol of belonging which underlies a healthy sense of self. This particular tree is over 1000 years old and was taken by me at Platbos Forest while attending a Dream Appreciation retreat in 2013.

In therapy, clients articulate the issues they encounter in their lives, expressing their feelings, thoughts, and behaviours related to these challenges. The therapist engages in deep and empathic listening, reflecting the patient's narratives back to them. The therapist assists the client in uncovering connections between thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and potential underlying meanings and core beliefs rooted in childhood. Often, individuals have blind spots regarding their own personalities and behaviours. Spiritual writers often refer to childhood agreements we made with ourselves based on immature interpretations of the world, shaping core beliefs that guide our responses and interactions. 

Gaining insight and cultivating self-awareness represents the initial step toward transforming unhelpful behaviours, ingrained thought patterns and belief systems. This process can also help alleviate inhibitions and fears. Developing a critical awareness of the beliefs and values that shape your life and contribute to cycles of depression, challenging relationships, or other difficulties enhances the potential for meaningful change. Examining these aspects may be challenging and induce discomfort, often leading individuals to feel worse before experiencing improvement. It's crucial not to halt therapy during this phase, recognizing, as Carl Jung asserted, that "There is no consciousness without pain."

Knowing and comprehending the dynamics of your challenges must be followed by action. A willingness to learn new perspectives on the world and to adopt different behaviours becomes a necessary component for effectively navigating the pressures of daily life. Central to this process is an acceptance that change is possible, and this acknowledgment might initially be the primary focus of therapy. Conscious living doesn't promise a trouble-free and endlessly joyous life. Still, it can empower individuals to choose how they respond to challenges in their daily lives, even when living with chronic mental or emotional disorders. Not everyone achieves complete relief from symptoms or resolves all problems, but many discover themselves to be better equipped to cope with their difficulties.

Tracing the origins of current challenges can be valuable in comprehending their significance within the context of your life. Many adult behaviours originate in childhood or adolescence, serving as protective measures against perceived threats to one's evolving and still vulnerable sense of self. Understanding this process minimizes self-judgment and dispels notions that one is or was a fundamentally flawed person. Jungian psychotherapy delves into the inner world and the unconscious, examining their impact on external factors such as behaviour patterns and interactions with others. The goal is increased self-awareness, understanding ingrained patterns, and exploring alternative narratives about oneself and one's existence.

Many aspects influencing our daily lives reside in our unconscious minds, such as interactional patterns learned from childhood and deeply ingrained beliefs about self-worth. These assumptions, whether conscious or unconscious, profoundly impact self-perception, life experiences, and relationships, and accordingly the focal point of exploration in psychotherapy. The depth to which we explore childhood experiences in therapy is contingent upon your therapeutic goals and the extent to which past events impact your current life. Early life events and experiences play a distinct role in shaping your current belief systems and values. At times, unresolved issues from the past can permeate various aspects of your life, necessitating processing for you to be able to move forward and live up to your fullest potential.

Many individuals employ defence mechanisms, including denial, to shield themselves from confronting unpleasant aspects of their lives, essentially pushing these issues aside. Regrettably, such avoidance can hinder emotional development, diminish coping mechanisms, and compel individuals to adopt a façade of strength, potentially feeling inauthentic. Suppressing emotions is a common practice, but it is not conducive to overall well-being. The ability to navigate various emotional states without becoming unstable or venting onto others is a skill cultivated (or not) in childhood, akin to any other skill that requires practice to become emotionally intelligent. Psychotherapy serves as a process for enhancing self-regulation, managing emotional states, and coping with stress, fostering a more balanced emotional life. It acts as a psychological spring-cleaning, clearing out old clutter to make space for self-renewal, personal definition, and a life free from childhood fears and inhibitions.

Therapy provides a secure space for sharing intimate details that affect overall well-being, functioning in the world, and psychological/emotional growth. The fear of judgment or ridicule often accompanies these narratives, but therapy offers a non-judgmental environment for exploring neglected, ignored, or damaged aspects of oneself. Unlike personal relationships, a therapist remains objective, aiming to understand the meaning behind the client's life narratives. The key question is understanding what brought the client to their current point and how to break free from constrictive and energy-draining patterns.

The acropolis of Pergamon, Turkey is a dramatic ancient settlement, perched high atop a steep-sided hill with its great temples and theater visible from anywhere below. As you descend from the acropolis you walk through the vaulted tunnel-like temple foundations. This accentuates the mystery and presents a fitting analogy of the entering of the Unconscious through the process of psychotherapy.