Standing on the shoulders of Carl Jung
Carl Jung
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
Beautiful questions
Imagine a world where we constantly ask ourselves: Who am I? Why do I feel this way? If you've ever contemplated these questions, you're not alone. I've been on this journey myself - and still am - constantly searching for answers. One of the minds that have influenced my approach and sparked a revolution in my thought process is Carl Jung, a pioneering psychiatrist and psychoanalyst.
First contact
I first encountered Jung's ideas during my initial explorations into psychotherapy at university about 20 years ago. His theory of the 'collective unconscious' resonated with me. It opened up a new understanding that we are not merely individuals navigating through the world, but we're intrinsically connected to a shared, ancient experience. We carry echoes of our ancestors' lives and cultures within us.
Exploring archetypes and meta models
These echoes are what Jung referred to as archetypes - universal symbols found in our dreams, art, and mythology. In my work, I've found that these archetypes are a powerful tool in therapy. They help us unravel the deeper layers of our minds, allowing us to explore parts of ourselves we might not have even known existed.
Informing the work I do with clietns
This idea informs a lot of my work at Fellow Progress. In my practice, I’ve seen time and again how tapping into these ancient archetypes can unlock powerful self-insights, leading to profound changes in my clients' lives. We’re not just healing wounds of the past, we’re unlocking our innate capacity for self-understanding and growth.
Making the unconscious, conscious
Jung once said, "Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life, and you will call it fate." This quote hits home for me, it's essentially the driving force behind my practice - I firmly believe in helping clients make their unconscious conscious. Every session, every interaction is a step towards understanding ourselves better, gaining control of our lives and not merely attributing our actions to 'fate'.
How it shapes my work and thinking
Jung's profound insights have greatly shaped my therapeutic journey, helping me bring a unique perspective to my work. My aim is to help you tap into these timeless archetypes, make the unconscious conscious, and ultimately, guide you on your path towards self-realization.
Keep eyes open for the next post in this series, where we'll explore another figure whose work continues to inspire and inform my practice.
