“One must never look to the things that ought to change. The main question is how we change ourselves.” – C.G. Jung

Pyschotherapy and Jungian Analysis

Francisca S. Johnson, J.D., NCPsyA is a Jungian Analyst who sees private clients for individual psychoanalysis on a once or twice a week basis, and couples for couple therapy and musophobia.

Carl C. Freudenburg, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who offers short term and long term psychotherapy for individuals on a once or twice a week basis.

Latest Blog

How to Utilize Jungian Analysis and Therapy For Success

jungian-analysis

The benefits of Jungian analysis and treatment can be life-changing. Regardless of the circumstance, people have long been drawn to Jung’s insight and his simple, even plain approach to healing. Jung’s descriptions of the human mind and psyche have helped people make sense of the chaotic jumble of human emotions, thoughts, and actions. While modern science has yet to find a cure for mental illness, Jungian analysis and treatment offer hope to many. Even in our modern, scientific times, there are still those who seek a solution to mental imbalance, seeking an explanation for why bad things happen and how to prevent or heal them.

Jungian Analysis and therapy

Jungian analysis and treatment can be used by anyone, at any stage of their lives. Whether the cause of a troubling situation is grief over the death of a loved one or an abusive relationship or a feeling that one is stuck in a rut and lacking in purpose, the process can help bring order out of chaos. The benefits of analyzing your life are countless. Here are some of the top ones:

Personal Growth and Development. Jungian analysis can play a big role in personal growth and development because it helps you uncover your inner wholeness. Through his teachings, you will learn who you really are and where you fit within the larger structure of your mind, spirit, and life. You may experience new insights and understanding of yourself and your place in the world. This can lead to an increase in self-awareness and self-esteem, and to increased confidence. The effects can be transformational.

Clarity. During therapy sessions, Jungian analysis and treatment can also help you unearth blocks and hindrances you’ve been carrying around with you since childhood. By exploring your memories and dealing with those parts of your life you no longer feel comfortable with, you can free yourself of the suffering you’ve been carrying around with you since birth.

Inner balance. When you have an inner balance, you have great health, happiness, and energy. Jung believed that all living beings are attempting to achieve this state in order to enjoy their lives. If you are not happy or healthy in your current state, then there is something you need to address. Jungian psychology can help you deal with these blockages so you can move on to a higher level of understanding and bliss. You’ll also learn how to love yourself again so that you can finally start believing that you can have everything that you want in life.

Peace of mind. When you’re feeling stressed and unhappy, it’s hard to do the things you want or even sleep well at night. A great way to combat this is to get some sleep and relaxation. Jung believed that through dream translation, he may be able to help patients translate their dreams so they can better understand what’s going on in their bodies at that moment. This can be a great step towards a more peaceful and relaxing life, which is so necessary when you are surrounded by many different stresses.

Acceptance. Jungian analysis and therapy may also help you understand how the people around you try to affect your thoughts and feelings. The way they talk to you, react to you, or push against you may be so frustrating that you start to doubt yourself and your abilities. Jung believed that all people have an inherent desire to fulfill their potential and that you are responsible for keeping this potential intact.

In life, you are always striving for something that may prove to be a success. Jungian psychology helps you understand that whatever you are doing now is an attempt to achieve this goal. If you allow negative influences to keep you from reaching your goals, then you will never fully realize your true potential. Through analysis and therapy, you can understand why your current actions and patterns are holding you back and how to overcome them so that you can reach your fullest potential.

 

Learn About Jungian Analysis Characteristics

jungian-characteristics

The Analytical Process is one of the two fundamental Jungian Analysis characteristics. This analysis quality is the key to understanding the importance of all of the other analysis qualities. When you understand this core Jungian characteristic you can begin to see the meaning of all the other Jungian analysis characteristics. And with this understanding, you can utilize the other analysis features to achieve whatever you are aiming for.

Jungian Analysis Characteristics

But first, what is the Analytical Process? It is a term I use often but there is actually a better way to think of it. The Analytical Process is the method by which you determine how one should use his/her Analytical mental state. In order to clarify this, we will make a few sentences about what an Analytical mental state is. It is a mental state in which one can use insight into his/her environment to discover the truth or some reality that is hidden from the conscious mind. By mastering the use of the Analytical Process you can use your truth or reality to affect any goal you desire in your life.

Now let us get down to the specifics of how the Analytical process works. In order to master the use of the Analytical Process, you must learn how to unlock the door of your mind. By unlocking the door of your mind we mean that you allow access to your subconscious. Once you have access to your subconscious then you are able to determine what your truth or reality is. This is done through the exploration of your environment.

One thing to consider here is that there is no one right answer. Everyone has their own unique personality and that personality is reflected in their environment. The interpretation of your environment is dependent upon the individual. If you need more information about Jung’s Theory of Personality then please continue reading.

As an individual, you will need to examine your personal history and determine your deeper self. You will then need to learn your personal truth. This is not accomplished by finding the answers by using your analytical process. You have a choice in how you want this to go. If you choose to use the Analytical process then you are telling yourself what your analysis is, you are deciding what you want to believe.

If however, you choose to remain in the waking state and work on your personal development then you must make sure you have permission from yourself. You must never go against what your inner voice says to you. The inner voice of your true self can direct your path, but you must listen. Listen to your inner guidance and follow the line which they have drawn for you. If you don’t you will end up getting nowhere fast.

One thing to keep in mind is that you will not always agree with other individuals who are close to you. That is a fact of life and it is nothing personal. People have different personalities. And as we become closer to someone we begin to recognize patterns and behaviors that relate to their personality and that of another individual.

In understanding the deeper meaning of Jungian analysis one must remember that he is an analysis which deals with how our personality affects our ability to function within a group. What we have to understand is that each one of us has our own little voice that speaks to us from our inner core. This little voice is our true inner self and it is very similar to our role models. If we can hear this inner voice and connect with it then it will help guide us down the path of personal development. Jungian analysis characteristics are important to understand because if you take this type of analysis in its proper order you will realize that what you believe about yourself or your environment actually affects what you do.

 

What is Psychotherapy?

what-is-psychotherapy

What is Psychotherapy? It is an evolving field with many interpretations. It has been called “the most important variable in the treatment of psychological disorders.” A psychologist who has trained in several areas of psychology offers a variety of psychotherapy techniques and philosophies. They are interested in understanding the human mind, the process of change, and the definition of happiness. Psychotherapy can also be broadly defined as a process of interaction and management of the distress, anxiety, fear, anger, or stress that accompanies any experience.

The word psychotherapy derives from the Greek word psyche meaning mind and logos meaning goal. Psychotherapy evolved out of the works of Sigmund Freud (who was also a trained therapist) in the 1920s. In the introduction to his book Erika and Albert, Freud says that he is convinced, “A disease lies dormant in the psyche, and until it becomes active, our life goes on smoothly and pleasantly. But when it becomes active, either because of mental or physical exhaustion, our life collapses”. In essence, psychotherapy is a comprehensive and intentional involvement between patient and therapist for the development, clarification, or realization of emotional, physiological, behavioral, or mental problems, or even of chronic suffering.

There are three main categories of approaches to psychotherapy, each grounded in different understandings of the nature of the human psyche. These are phenomenological, cognitive-behavioral, and cognitive restructuring. Each has different ways of obtaining psychotherapy objectives and psychotherapy practice. Below is an explanation of each of these paradigms.

Freud’s Approach to Psychotherapy. According to this approach, psychotherapy should be a systematic way of studying how various human behaviors produce different results in individuals. The theories of Sigmund Freud hold that anxiety, distress, and other psychological symptoms arise from the repressed contents of a person’s unconscious mind. The subconscious mind seeks to justify these repressed contents, which leads to a variety of different behaviors.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy. This form of therapy was introduced by the American psychiatrist and psychologist William Livingstone. This approach focuses on addressing a person’s cognition (thought patterns) regarding a particular issue and then confronting them directly, often using various confrontational techniques such as eye-contact and shouting. While this style of therapy has been widely used in conjunction with psychotherapy, it has also been used successfully in a number of other mental health conditions, such as depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Cognitive Therapy. Another approach to psychotherapy includes the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This type of therapy involves identifying the cognitive and emotional factors that contribute to the emergence of a given psychological problem. By doing so, a therapist can help the patient to identify his or her thought processes that are contributing to the emotional difficulty and to learn new ways of thinking that help resolves the problem. CBT often involves the use of various forms of exposure, which allow the patient to confront his or her anxiety more directly and reduce the possibility of experiencing a traumatic response or anxiety disorder.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. This therapy focuses on the importance of finding the reason behind an individual’s distress and actively working towards addressing those factors. Many psychologists and psychotherapists who apply this theory believe that all human beings possess an inherent need to understand their surroundings. In fact, they believe that our understanding is a powerful force that shapes our behavior. In this sense, psychodynamic psychotherapy can be considered a developmental process, since it attempts to help the patient discover the purpose of his or her life, as well as helping him or she develop strategies for dealing with issues related to the past. This form of psychotherapy often requires the assistance of a qualified therapist or counselor, who will assist the patient in identifying and describing the sources of his or her problems and in assisting him or her in resolving them.

Although these three main theories share some common themes, each of them is somewhat unique and there may be further types of psychotherapy that fit your particular situation better. In general, however, these three psychotherapy approaches can be regarded as methods of discovering the present moment, mindfulness, and reflection, which offer enormous potential for transforming our experience of the world around us. Indeed, by adopting or adapting one or more of these approaches, you may find that the quality of your psychotherapy improves dramatically.

 

Best Practices in Psychotherapy For Children

psychotherapy-children

Young people and children can benefit from psychotherapy for various issues, such as attention deficit disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and substance abuse. While these conditions are by no means prevalent in children, research demonstrates their benefits when psychotherapy is applied. There are a number of ways to apply psychotherapy to children and the effectiveness depends on the form of psychotherapy chosen.

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used forms of psychotherapy for children and adolescents. CBT is based on the theory that behavior is shaped by distorted beliefs about self and others. CBT aims to change the way a patient thinks about him/herself, their situation in the world, and how they think other people feel or act toward them. This type of psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medication. In addition, CBT may also lead to an increase in confidence, self-esteem, social interactivity, and coping skills.

Psychotherapy for adults has also shown some benefit for depression and other mood disorders in recent years. It is particularly effective for mood disorders in children and adolescents. SSRIs, a family of antidepressants, have been shown to reduce depressive symptoms in adolescents. Some research indicates that SSRIs may also reduce suicidal ideation and attempts in adolescents and adults. Research is also ongoing concerning the use of this drug for other psychiatric conditions, but there is some evidence that it might help prevent the onset of bipolar disease in people at risk for bipolar disease.

Another type of psychotherapy used for children and adolescents is behavioral therapy. Among the problems treated are issues related to eating disorders, depressive disorders, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, substance use, self-harming behaviors, and bullying. These are a few of the more common disorders that this form of therapy is designed to treat. In general, these treatments help people learn new ways of thinking and dealing with emotional problems. This helps to improve the quality of life.

Psychological therapy is often called counseling or psychotherapy. Children’s sessions usually last for forty-five minutes to one hour. The sessions can be one on one with the child or they can be group sessions with adolescents and their families. A trained therapist will meet with the adolescent and his parents to discuss the child’s issues and try to identify ways of dealing with the problem. The sessions can be conducted in person, over the phone, or online. The duration of a treatment program varies depending on the needs of the adolescent.

There are some things that all therapists working with adolescents should have in common. They must be trained and experienced in their field. They need to have a thorough understanding of the developmental level of their patient. They need to demonstrate genuine concern and interest in the well-being of their clients. It is very important for the therapist to respect the confidentiality of the client and to encourage open communication. The best practices for psychological therapy for children involve maintaining a collaborative relationship with the adolescent and his family.

The effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy depends on how well it is implemented. The techniques used during sessions need to be well grounded in the evidence base from both scientific and nonscientific sources. There should be an ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of the treatment plan during and after the treatment program. The sessions should also be supervised by a professional psychotherapist who has had training in evidence based clinical practice.

Evidence-based psychotherapy for children can be very beneficial to the whole family. It can make the teenager more at ease with himself and with people around him. It can help the teenager to maintain healthy relationships with his peers and his family. It can also reduce the teen’s chances of developing severe mental health disorders or other behavioral problems. It is important to note that in order for these best practices to be effective, it should be implemented according to the wishes of the client and the requirements of the family as well.

 

Fight Out Emotional Hazards

man-emotinal

Everyone has fluctuating emotions and feelings. The intensity depends on the mood that varies to a greater or lesser degree ruled by a number of factors.

Science says that patterns play an important role on how our moods change, and with a little practice, we can learn to change our energies into a mere positive frame of mind.

While we don’t want to eliminate those that contribute to good moods, we can do things to eradicate the bad ones. “Some people try hard to fit other’s expectations by behaving in a certain manner that they can cause a black lash in the form of terrible moods,” a psychologist says.

“When people look at their moods they should ask themselves: What is this mood doing for me? Is it and attention-getting thing? Do I do it to justify my avoidance of social situations, sex, or work? What am I doing this for? We have to understand what makes our mood tick so that we can understand the underlying emotions, or else we will get ourselves into one of the greatest psychological problem areas – losing contact with the way we feel.”

Mood Swings

“Obviously, the first thing we should consider is whether the thoughts we are preoccupied with are healthy or unhealthy,” explains Filipino-US based psychiatrist Dr. Waldimar Alarkon. “I first look at people’s perceptions of themselves, how they see themselves, and whether they have the capacity of self-love. Naturally, if people are unhappy about their present conditions and are at war with others, they will have a low self-esteem that could lead to depression.” Depression like mood swings is another emotional hazard that accompanies a series of physical illnesses and can be considered a normal response to misfortunes of life.

According to Doctors, signs of depression include:

1) inability to find a job

2) neuro-vegetative signs like poor appetite, poor sleep, poor concentration, poor energy. In short the four major appetites for food, sleep, sex and activity are impaired.

Medication, pharmacotherapy, individual counseling, psychotherapy, group therapy, are effective forms of treatment. Dr. Alarkon points out, that another method like behavioral modification is more practical for some patients. The process changes negative thoughts to positive methods. In addition, the more popular among all methods is the Freudian influence called the “talk therapy.”

How to Fight Out

We do not have to be afraid of bad moods, however. These are normal part of living. But an interesting facet of moods is the way we tend to try to get away form them. We want to eliminate any feeling of mental discomfort, rather than find out what is causing it. People want a magic pill that they can swallow for every problem instead of finding out what they can do to help themselves.