What is this depth psychology stuff, anyway?

(Or, how do you practice psychotherapy?)

I practice therapy from a relational, depth-oriented, psychodynamic perspective. If you’re not sure what that means, or you just are looking for more information before jumping in, this page is for you. Let’s break it down.

Embracing Relationships in Therapy
The term Relational Therapy may initially appear peculiar as a label; however, it carries a distinct meaning. Just as the name implies, relational therapy places significance on our past and current significant relationships, recognizing their influence on our identity, cognitive processes, and personal growth. While this concept might seem obvious to some, it is a relatively recent approach in the field of psychotherapy. Relational therapy emphasizes that an authentic relationship between the therapist and client, both real individuals with their own lives, is a crucial factor in the therapeutic process.
My objective is to embody authenticity, compassion, and truthfulness in each session, providing a safe space where clients can be fully heard. Therapy serves as a laboratory-like setting, allowing us to explore the depths of our true selves, perhaps even experimenting with facets of our identity that have yet to fully emerge. This process enables us to envision the person we aspire to become, or explore aspects of ourselves that may have been previously overshadowed or unexplored.

Understanding Depth Psychology: Exploring the Unconscious Mind to Achieve Balance and Healing
Depth psychology is a type of therapy associated with the renowned Swiss psychiatrist CG Jung. However, it has evolved into a broader concept encompassing various therapeutic approaches. At its core, depth psychology emphasizes that our human experience extends beyond our conscious identity and ego. It acknowledges the existence of the unconscious mind, which Jung considered a dynamic and vital part of our psyche.

When there is a significant disparity between what we perceive as true about ourselves and what truly exists within us, we may experience suffering and symptoms of distress. The key to restoring equilibrium lies in bringing the unconscious into conscious awareness. This process takes different forms, as each individual's life experiences shape their unique path.

For instance, we may have grown up with certain prescribed values or ways of living, believing they would lead to a fulfilling life. However, as we approach this envisioned path, we may encounter unusual symptoms or a sense of emptiness. Even when everything appears fine externally, we might feel burnt out, fatigued, or unable to progress. The coping mechanisms that once served us well may suddenly feel foreign or dysfunctional. Sometimes, similar problems persistently arise despite our best attempts to overcome them.

It is important to understand that delving into the depths of our psyche is not about dwelling on what we already know about ourselves and our challenges. In therapy, we create a safe space to explore the unconscious through avenues such as dreams, fantasies, and even imaginative processes. Although unconventional at first, embracing these methods often leads to the emergence of a new path towards a more fulfilling life.

By uncovering the hidden aspects of ourselves, we gain valuable insight and discover fresh perspectives. This exploration opens up possibilities for healing and growth that may have previously eluded us. It enables us to integrate our unconscious desires, fears, and aspirations, ultimately paving the way for a more authentic and life-giving existence.
If you are interested in engaging in depth psychology therapy, we invite you to join us on this transformative journey of self-discovery and healing.

Psychodynamic therapy is a larger grouping of therapeutic modalities that also emphasizes the role that unconscious factors (conflict) plays in the symptoms and problems that frequently bring people to therapy. Each form of therapy emphasizes certain aspects of the human experience as fundamental to suffering (why we suffer), and how we heal and grow (how suffering is resolved). To give some common examples, Cognitive-Behavioral therapy emphasizes the role of maladaptive or inaccurate cognititions (thoughts) play in emotional pain, whereas mindfulness-based therapy, like ACT, emphasizes ways in which we disconnect from the present moment to avoid suffering to be crucial. Psychodynamic therapy takes a multi-faceted view of human suffering and growth. Psychodynamic therapy in particular emphasizes the role of past experience in informing present patterns of perception and behavior (development), the role of unconscious conflict in human suffering, the importance of defense mechanisms (repression, denial, intellectualization, etc) in the avoidance of suffering or awareness of suffering, the primacy of emotional experience (bottom-up vs top-down change), and the curative role of insight, that is, awareness about where and how we learned a particular way of being, and the unconscious conflict involved in sustaining most problems of living. In simpler terms: building awareness and insight, understanding and defusing defense mechanisms that keep us stuck, and working to understand our emotions as important messengers rather than unhelpful nuisances, we can resolve problems, understand ourselves better, and make different choices about our lives.