by Joel Schwartz, PsyD — First and foremost, if psychosis is indeed a process of growth and reorganization following an initial breakdown, then the primary task of the therapist is not to cure or prevent the psychosis in the person, but accompany them through their transition into something else.
I continue to be pleased to know this blog is being used as the resource I’d hoped it would become.
Part of coming to understand our profound capacities to heal and transform is to first know that it’s possible. I know 1000s of folks who’ve been able to discover this now. I have met them in mental health circles and chronic illness circles both. I’ve also met them among people who’ve never suffered in these ways but were lucky enough to be born into situations where they simply learned how to do it right from the beginning. Imagine that. We can create a world where we teach children how to profoundly take care of themselves and others. …
It could be argued that at the heart of Jungian therapy is the aim of experiencing and living an authentic life.
That is not the language that Carl Jung used, but it does express a central idea of his psychology, which he called ‘individuation.’ Put very simply, individuation is the process by which individuals become more fully themselves.
Individuation involves differentiating oneself from conformity with collective values, which does not necessarily mean rejecting those values. Rather, it means the ability to choose the values by which one will live instead of merely living out social norms in an unreflective and unconscious way.
In other words, the individuation process is a deepening and maturing of one’s individuality and sense of authenticity. … [click on title to read and view more]
By Jason E. Smith — From Jung’s point of view there is a hidden intention in depression. It “forces us downwards.” This is not, as it might sound, a punishment for arrogance, but rather a consequence of having become cut off from the human, instinctual part of ourselves. … [click on title to read and view more]
In the video below Dr. Russell Razzaque shares what he learns about the psyche when he starts meditating. He is surprised when he comes to recognize many states he experiences in meditation to be similar to states that are pathologized in psychiatry. He sees them in his patients and recognizes them in his own experience when meditating. I’ve certainly found meditation to be a way to learn how to recognize and integrate many parts of my psyche. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
The Wounded Healer is initiated into the art of healing through some form of personal hardship–anything from an actual physical injury or illness to the loss of all one’s earthly possessions. Regardless of the shape of the wound, the challenge inherent in this initiation process is that one is unable to turn to others for help beyond a certain degree of support. Only the initiate can ultimately heal the wound; if it is an illness or accident, it will frequently be one for which there is no conventional cure. … [click on the title to read and view more]
The experience of the unlived life correlates to what Joseph Campbell calls “the refusal of the call.” Life calls us to participate in its process of continuous becoming, the perpetual cycle of death and rebirth, and if we shy away from this calling we find ourselves, in Campbell’s words, “walled in boredom, hard work, or ‘culture.’” … [click on title to read and view more]
Carl Jung himself said:
I had the feeling that I was in an over-compensated psychosis, and from the feeling I was not released until August 1, 1914.
And yes, he recovered, transformed and went on to thrive, just like so many others, from that psychosis… … [click on title for the rest of the post]
The more I travel on this healing journey, the clearer it becomes that I am learning to let life-force guide me and thus heal me too. Becoming who I am completely means losing my conditioned self and letting life-force move me into oneness with all. This too is what Carl Jung might call the individuation process.
You must be logged in to post a comment.