
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting therapy is an important and sometimes life-changing step. It's natural to have many questions or even doubts—after all, reaching out for support can feel big and unfamiliar. That's why I've prepared this short FAQ: to help you find answers to the most common questions and make your decision a little easier. If you need more information or want to discuss your unique situation, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is psychotherapy?
What are the benefits of psychotherapy?
When should I consider therapy?
Is therapy only for people with serious mental illnesses?
How effective is psychotherapy?
What can I expect in the first therapy session?
How long does therapy usually last?
How often are therapy sessions?
What happens during a therapy session?
Is what I say in therapy confidential?
Do you offer online appointments?
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
What is Jungian psychotherapy (analytical psychology)?
What are the main goals of Jungian psychotherapy?
Who was Carl Jung?
What is the 'collective unconscious' in Jungian psychology?
What are 'archetypes' (e.g., Persona, Shadow, Anima/Animus, Self) in Jungian thought?
Archetypes, in Jungian psychology, are universal, primordial images, patterns of behavior, and themes that reside in the collective unconscious. They are inherited predispositions that shape how we experience and respond to the world, acting as ‘inherited modes of functioning’ rather than specific, fixed ideas. These dynamic forces manifest in our dreams, myths, art, religious beliefs, and significantly influence our personalities and interactions. Jung identified many archetypes, but four are particularly central:
- The Persona: This is the social mask or role we present to the world, our ‘public face.’ It helps us navigate social interactions but can lead to inauthenticity if we over-identify with it, losing touch with our true self.
- The Shadow: This represents the unconscious, often repressed or disowned parts of our personality. It contains traits we might see as negative or unacceptable, but also potentially positive, undeveloped qualities and creative energies. Integrating the Shadow is crucial for achieving psychological wholeness.
- The Anima (in men) / Animus (in women): The Anima is the unconscious feminine aspect in a man’s psyche, and the Animus is the unconscious masculine aspect in a woman’s psyche. They represent the ‘other’ gender within us and significantly influence our relationships and perceptions of the opposite sex.
- The Self: This is the central archetype, representing wholeness, unity, and the totality of the psyche (both conscious and unconscious). It is the psyche’s organizing principle and the ultimate goal of the individuation process. Archetypes are often complex and ‘bi-polar,’ meaning they can embody opposing qualities (e.g., the Mother archetype can be both nurturing and devouring), reflecting the rich complexity of human nature.
What is the 'process of individuation' in Jungian analysis?
How does Jungian analysis interpret dreams? (Mentioning amplification)
What is 'active imagination' in Jungian therapy?
How does Jungian psychoanalysis differ from Freudian psychoanalysis?
While both Jungian analytical psychology and Freudian psychoanalysis explore the unconscious mind, they differ significantly:
- The Unconscious: Freud focused on the personal unconscious as a reservoir of repressed memories and desires, largely sexual or aggressive. Jung expanded this with the concept of the collective unconscious, a deeper layer shared by all humans, containing universal archetypes and a source of creativity and spirituality.
- Libido (Psychic Energy): For Freud, libido was primarily sexual energy. Jung viewed libido as a more generalized life force, encompassing motivations like creativity, spirituality, and intellectual pursuits, not limited to sexuality.
- Human Motivation: Freud emphasized sexual and aggressive drives and the resolution of early childhood conflicts (e.g., Oedipus complex) as primary motivators. Jung proposed broader motivations, including the drive towards individuation, self-realization, and spiritual development.
- Dream Interpretation: Freud saw dreams mainly as wish fulfillment, a disguised expression of repressed desires, with symbols often having sexual connotations. Jung viewed dreams as more complex messages from the unconscious, serving a compensatory function, guiding growth, exploring archetypal meanings, and pointing to future possibilities.
- Causes of Neurosis: Freud attributed neurosis largely to unresolved childhood psychosexual conflicts and trauma. Jung saw causes more broadly, including disconnection from the collective unconscious, unlived life, failure in the individuation process, or spiritual emptiness.
- Therapeutic Setting & Approach: Freudian analysis often involves the patient on a couch with the analyst out of sight, using free association to uncover repressed material. Jungian therapy typically involves a face-to-face dialogue, focusing on integrating different aspects of the psyche through dream amplification, active imagination, and exploring symbols.
- Spirituality and Religion: Freud generally viewed religion as an illusion or a form of neurosis. Jung, however, considered spiritual and religious experiences and symbols as vital for psychological health and the individuation process.