ABOUT JUNGIAN THERAPY
How does it work?
The process of therapy is essentially about two people meeting together to establish a working relationship wherein it begins to feel safe and possible for the individual engaging in therapy to explore and make sense of their experience of life.
Jungian Analysts recognise that what we do and how we feel, how we think about ourselves and relate to other people, are influenced by and reflect forces and processes that we are not fully aware of. These may be part of our common human nature, which arises from what Jung called the Collective Unconscious, or particular to us as individuals and emanating from what he termed our Personal Unconscious.
During the course of therapy the nature and dynamics of the relationship between therapist and client might also be explored and thought about as it is recognised that how we are and what we do in our unique pattern of relating to others will also manifest itself in and shape the ways in which the therapist is related to. By highlighting this as it appears in the consulting room there is an opportunity to address and attend to these struggles more immediately and directly.
A Jungian approach thus considers the whole person, the Psyche and the Soma, that is mind, body and spirit, the emotional and physical, and importantly including that which underlies our conscious personality, that which is often the source of our greatest creativity. Thus through exploring our outer-world issues and what is being experienced in the here and now, along with dreams and fantasies from our inner-world, which reveal our deeper unconscious attitudes, it is possible to work towards greater self-awareness and to living a more authentic life.
An analogy that I like is that of map making. We are engaged in a process of making a map of the individual's 'world'. It is a complex map incorporating the past and the present and both the inner and outer world of the individual. Sometimes looking closely at certain elements and at other times stepping back and taking an overview. Gradually areas of the map can be discovered or perhaps re-discovered, drawn, deciphered and elaborated upon enabling an individual to get their bearings, to feel located and to have a better sense of direction.
In practice
During the first session or two I will actively seek to gain something of an overview and understanding of what has brought you to therapy as well as getting a detailed picture your personal life and family history.
Thereafter there is no preconceived expectation or agenda on my part; you are free to talk about and explore ideas and feelings regarding your life, whether that is about current patterns and the immediate difficulties being experienced or about those from the past. Our early and childhood experiences can often be highly significant and talking about them can lead to important connections with present situations and current difficulties.
Perhaps most importantly there is time for reflection in sessions.
I see individuals for psychotherapy or analysis depending on their need. Psychotherapy sessions are generally weekly, though at times greater frequency may be beneficial or be required particularly where it feels the space between sessions is too great for difficult emotions to be held on to. Analysis is usually conducted at a greater frequency of three or more sessions per week allowing for what is generally felt to be a safer situation within which to explore the deeper parts of themselves.
The initial consultation is usually an hour long, thereafter sessions are 50 minutes in length. I do not place any time limit on the work.
My current fee is £60 per session including the initial assessment meetings. I usually present a bill on the last session of the month and would expect to be paid the following session. I am happy to be paid by direct bank transfer, cheque or cash. As part of the initial discussions any financial hardships or considerations can be discussed. I will charge for missed sessions and holidays, however any arrangements made prior to therapy starting will obviously not be charged for. If during the course of work there is a need to cancel I will try and find alternative times in the week for the missed session. This is standard practice in the psychotherapy profession.
Individuals are free to terminate the work at any point but I do ask for a months notice (4 weeks) so that the ending can be thought about and worked through.
The process of therapy is essentially about two people meeting together to establish a working relationship wherein it begins to feel safe and possible for the individual engaging in therapy to explore and make sense of their experience of life.
Jungian Analysts recognise that what we do and how we feel, how we think about ourselves and relate to other people, are influenced by and reflect forces and processes that we are not fully aware of. These may be part of our common human nature, which arises from what Jung called the Collective Unconscious, or particular to us as individuals and emanating from what he termed our Personal Unconscious.
During the course of therapy the nature and dynamics of the relationship between therapist and client might also be explored and thought about as it is recognised that how we are and what we do in our unique pattern of relating to others will also manifest itself in and shape the ways in which the therapist is related to. By highlighting this as it appears in the consulting room there is an opportunity to address and attend to these struggles more immediately and directly.
A Jungian approach thus considers the whole person, the Psyche and the Soma, that is mind, body and spirit, the emotional and physical, and importantly including that which underlies our conscious personality, that which is often the source of our greatest creativity. Thus through exploring our outer-world issues and what is being experienced in the here and now, along with dreams and fantasies from our inner-world, which reveal our deeper unconscious attitudes, it is possible to work towards greater self-awareness and to living a more authentic life.
An analogy that I like is that of map making. We are engaged in a process of making a map of the individual's 'world'. It is a complex map incorporating the past and the present and both the inner and outer world of the individual. Sometimes looking closely at certain elements and at other times stepping back and taking an overview. Gradually areas of the map can be discovered or perhaps re-discovered, drawn, deciphered and elaborated upon enabling an individual to get their bearings, to feel located and to have a better sense of direction.
In practice
During the first session or two I will actively seek to gain something of an overview and understanding of what has brought you to therapy as well as getting a detailed picture your personal life and family history.
Thereafter there is no preconceived expectation or agenda on my part; you are free to talk about and explore ideas and feelings regarding your life, whether that is about current patterns and the immediate difficulties being experienced or about those from the past. Our early and childhood experiences can often be highly significant and talking about them can lead to important connections with present situations and current difficulties.
Perhaps most importantly there is time for reflection in sessions.
I see individuals for psychotherapy or analysis depending on their need. Psychotherapy sessions are generally weekly, though at times greater frequency may be beneficial or be required particularly where it feels the space between sessions is too great for difficult emotions to be held on to. Analysis is usually conducted at a greater frequency of three or more sessions per week allowing for what is generally felt to be a safer situation within which to explore the deeper parts of themselves.
The initial consultation is usually an hour long, thereafter sessions are 50 minutes in length. I do not place any time limit on the work.
My current fee is £60 per session including the initial assessment meetings. I usually present a bill on the last session of the month and would expect to be paid the following session. I am happy to be paid by direct bank transfer, cheque or cash. As part of the initial discussions any financial hardships or considerations can be discussed. I will charge for missed sessions and holidays, however any arrangements made prior to therapy starting will obviously not be charged for. If during the course of work there is a need to cancel I will try and find alternative times in the week for the missed session. This is standard practice in the psychotherapy profession.
Individuals are free to terminate the work at any point but I do ask for a months notice (4 weeks) so that the ending can be thought about and worked through.
