What Is Jungian Psychotherapy?

Jungian Psychotherapy – A Closer Look

When people think of therapy, they often imagine talking about stress, relationships, or past experiences. But there’s a deeper kind of therapy that focuses not only on reducing symptoms, but also on helping you connect with who you truly are at the core of your being. This approach is called Jungian psychotherapy, or sometimes Jungian analysis — named after the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung.

As a therapist in Chicago, I often meet people who are curious about Jungian ideas. They may have heard about archetypes, the shadow self, or dream analysis, but aren’t quite sure what it all means in the context of therapy. Let’s explore what Jungian psychotherapy is, how it works, and how it might help you if you’re feeling stuck, anxious, or disconnected from your sense of purpose.

What Is Jungian Psychotherapy?

Jungian psychotherapy is a depth-oriented form of therapy that explores the unconscious mind — the parts of ourselves that operate outside our everyday awareness. Jung believed that much of our suffering, confusion, and anxiety come from being disconnected from our deeper, authentic selves.

Related: Depression therapy in Chicago for adults

Rather than focusing only on reducing symptoms, Jungian therapy aims to help clients grow into wholeness. This means bringing hidden parts of the psyche into awareness, understanding their meaning, and integrating them into one’s conscious life.

In other words, while many modern therapies focus on “fixing” problems, Jungian work focuses on understanding and transforming them.

The Key Ideas Behind Jungian Therapy

Carl Jung introduced several powerful concepts that still shape the field of psychology today. Here are a few that often show up in therapy sessions:

• The Unconscious: Jung believed that the unconscious holds not only repressed memories or emotions but also creative, healing, and spiritual potential. By exploring this inner world, people often discover new insights about themselves.
• The Shadow: This refers to the parts of ourselves we hide, deny, or feel ashamed of — anger, envy, fear, or even positive qualities we’ve been taught to suppress. Working with the shadow allows clients to reclaim lost parts of themselves and live more authentically.
• Archetypes: Archetypes are universal themes or symbols — such as the Hero, the Caregiver, the Rebel, or the Wise Old Man — that appear in stories, dreams, and myths across cultures. Jung believed these archetypes influence our personal stories and how we see the world.
• Dreams: Jung saw dreams as direct messages from the unconscious. In therapy, dreams are often explored to uncover hidden meanings, unresolved conflicts, or creative guidance.
• Individuation: This is the central goal of Jungian therapy — the lifelong process of becoming who you truly are. Individuation involves balancing the different parts of your personality, accepting your shadow, and finding a deeper sense of purpose and meaning.

What Happens in a Jungian Therapy Session?

A Jungian therapy session looks similar to a traditional talk therapy session, but the focus is often deeper. You might talk about your life challenges, but you’ll also explore your dreams, fantasies, creative impulses, or recurring life patterns.

Here’s what you can expect:

• A collaborative exploration: The therapist doesn’t act as an authority figure but as a guide or partner on your journey of self-discovery.
• Work with symbols and imagery: Art, journaling, active imagination, and dream work may be used to connect with the unconscious.
• A focus on meaning: Instead of just identifying symptoms, you might explore what your anxiety, depression, or relationship struggles are trying to tell you about your deeper self.

Because Jungian therapy focuses on the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — it tends to go beyond symptom relief toward deeper self-understanding and personal transformation.

What Can Jungian Therapy Help With?

Jungian psychotherapy can be helpful for a wide range of emotional and psychological concerns. It’s often most effective for people who want to go beyond “surface-level” coping and dive deeper into self-discovery.

• Anxiety and depression: Exploring the unconscious roots of these feelings can lead to long-term healing and greater self-acceptance.
• Identity and purpose: Many clients come to Jungian therapy during life transitions — such as midlife, career changes, or after a loss — when they feel disconnected from who they are or what matters to them.
• Relationship struggles: Understanding your projections (how we unconsciously transfer our own inner experiences onto others) can help you build healthier, more authentic connections.
• Creative blocks: Jungian work often helps artists, writers, and professionals reconnect with their imagination and creative flow.
• Trauma and inner conflict: By integrating the wounded parts of the self, people can experience emotional relief and a renewed sense of wholeness.

How Jungian Therapy Differs from Other Approaches

Many modern therapies — such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) — focus on changing thoughts and behaviors. Jungian therapy, in contrast, focuses on understanding why those thoughts and behaviors exist in the first place and what they might be symbolizing.

For example, if someone struggles with anxiety, a cognitive-behavioral approach might teach coping techniques or challenge distorted thinking. A Jungian approach would also explore what the anxiety symbolizes — perhaps an inner conflict, an unlived potential, or a call for personal growth.

This doesn’t mean Jungian therapy replaces other forms of therapy; in fact, many therapists (myself included) blend Jungian ideas with evidence-based methods like CBT or mindfulness. The result is a therapy experience that’s both practical and profound.

Why Jungian Therapy Resonates in a City Like Chicago

Chicago is a city full of movement, ambition, and change. People here work hard, juggle multiple roles, and strive for success. But beneath the surface, many also struggle with questions of meaning:

• “What am I doing all this for?”
• “Why do I keep repeating the same patterns in relationships?”
• “Why do I feel disconnected even when things seem to be going well?”

Jungian psychotherapy offers a space to slow down, reflect, and explore these deeper questions. It’s not about “fixing” you — it’s about helping you understand yourself more fully and live in alignment with your values and inner truth.

The Journey Toward Wholeness

Ultimately, Jungian psychotherapy invites you to embark on a journey — not to become someone new, but to become more of who you already are. It helps you face your fears, listen to your dreams, and integrate the parts of yourself that have been ignored or forgotten.

The process takes time and patience, but the rewards are profound: a clearer sense of purpose, greater emotional balance, and a deeper connection to life itself.

If you’re in Chicago and are curious about Jungian psychotherapy, reaching out for a consultation can be a meaningful first step. Whether you’re feeling anxious, lost, or simply ready to grow, this form of therapy offers a powerful path toward healing and transformation.

Interested in Jungian Therapy in Chicago?

If this approach speaks to you, consider reaching out to a local therapist trained in Jungian or depth psychology. The process can help you uncover hidden strengths, heal old wounds, and reconnect with the authentic self you’ve always been meant to become.