FAQs

What is the Difference Between Jungian Analysis & Jungian Therapy?
Jungian analysis is also referred to as Jungian psychoanalysis or analytical psychology (the term Jung used to distinguish his theory and methodology from Freud’s.) Jungian therapy, however, may denote a therapist’s general orientation without the level of training required to provide Jungian analysis. Only a certified Jungian analyst is qualified to provide Jungian analysis.

What is a Certified Jungian Analyst?
Only someone who has graduated from an IAAP affiliated Jungian training program is a Certified Jungian Analyst. Requirements for admission to a Jungian program include a graduate degree, supervised experience in a therapeutic field, and ongoing personal Jungian analysis. The analyst’s training generally takes four to eight years. Training and certification are designed to ensure the acquisition of a wide-ranging body of knowledge, a high level of professional competence and personal integrity.

How does Jungian Analysis Work?
Analysis requires both commitment and regularity. Sessions may be one or more times per week depending on an individual’s situation and preference. In current practice analysis may continue for several years.

Sessions may focus on daily life concerns; memories and feeling from past experiences; dreams or other spontaneous forms of expression; and interactions with the analyst. The relationship between analyst and patient plays a critical role in this process and confidentiality and privacy are strictly maintained.

Jung said of his analytic method, “It is a matter of saying yea to oneself, of taking oneself as the most serious of tasks, of being conscious of everything one does, and keeping it constantly before one’s eyes in all its dubious aspects—truly a task that taxes us to the utmost.” It is also a transformative experience.

How are Counseling, Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Jungian Analysis Different? People are often confused by these terms for various mental health services. Overall, the different modalities range from problem solving to depth and understanding.

Counseling can be effective in addressing specific problematic situations such as life transition or care of an ailing family member. Counseling is supportive and may include advice, problem-solving strategies, or new ways of looking at a problem. Overall, counseling is solution oriented.

Psychiatry and psychopharmacology are practiced by medical doctors; most focus on diagnosis and prescribing medication for the treatment of mental health symptoms and illnesses.

Psychotherapy is concerned with the history and causes of a problem. Internal dynamics that interfere with life satisfaction, such as depression, anxiety or obsessive behaviors, are explored and understood. The goal of psychotherapy is relief from the difficulties caused by unresolved life issues.

Jungian analysis, based on the work of Carl Jung, seeks to understand unconscious influences in your life, integrate unrecognized or denied aspects of your personality, and foster the discovery of your innate potential. The goal of Jungian analysis is to achieve, long lasting changes in the personality and realize your innate potential.

How is Jungian Analysis Different From Other Forms of Analysis?
The fundamental goal of Jungian analysis is to build a vital relationship between the conscious and unconscious parts of the mind so that psychic development can be ongoing. Rather than regarding the unconscious merely as the repository of repressed memories, Jung viewed it as the wellspring of psychic energy and healing.

Jung acknowledged the importance of understanding how the deficits and trauma of our history influence us, but also stressed the need to look to the future, to understand our inner urge to become the unique individuals we have the potential to be. Like other forms of analysis, Jungian analysis recognized the important roles of sex, aggression, and human relationships in our daily lives, but it also respects our needs for creative expression, meaning, spirituality, and growth as essential aspects of the human psyche.

Jung believed that we develop symptoms when we are stuck in old patterns and fail to integrate creative potentials within our personality. Often such symptoms motivate us to begin analysis. If we do not understand the deeper causes underlying those symptoms and focus merely on their relief, problems are likely to resurface in other ways, such as difficulties in relationship or emotional blocks.

To forge a connection with the unconscious, Jungians utilize symbols that emerge spontaneously in patients’ fantasies, dreams, creative projects and daily experience. Many of these images are archetypal and also appear in myths and religious traditions. Concentrating on such images generates energy that catalyzes impulses to explore new realms of possibility and action that leads to personal transformation.

Do I Need to Remember My Dreams to Work with a Jungian Analyst?
There are many ways to access the unconscious: fantasies, memories, imaginative and creative projects, movement, the events of our daily lives, and analytic interaction can all foster a symbolic approach to the psyche. Many patients discover, however, that Jungian analysis stimulates them to remember dreams even if they have not done so previously.

Who Can Benefit From Jungian Analysis?
Jungian analysis can help people who have a genuine desire to learn about themselves and are able to commit to regularly scheduled meetings over a sustained period of time. This process can be helpful for people with a wide range of personal Issues, from depression and anxiety to a quest for relationship or deeper meaning and purpose in life.

Analyst and patient work together to bring relief and understanding to emotional suffering, to increase consciousness, and move toward well being and wholeness. Because Jungian analysis fosters dialogue between conscious and unconscious, it embraces all aspects of psyche. It has the potential to be a rich and life changing experience for a broad range of people.

What Can I Expect From an Initial Meeting With a Jungian Analyst?
Analysts often meet with prospective patients for one or two sessions in order to explore the patient’s needs and goals, answer questions, and assess whether the therapeutic relationship feels promising. If both parties agree, a regular schedule for sessions will be arranged.

Are Analytic Sessions Confidential?
Yes. Strict confidentiality is necessary for the trust and honesty essential to successful analysis. This changes only if someone’s personal safety is at risk.

Are Jungian Analysts Licensed?
All Jungian analysts are licensed to practice in their home states. In addition, they maintain professional insurance and uphold the highest professional standards. Prior to training to become a Jungian Analyst, many have already obtained a degree in Social Work, Psychology, Medicine, or Pastoral Counseling.

Will a Jungian Analyst Take My Insurance?
Most Jungian Analysts do not accept direct insurance payments. They will, however, provide an invoice for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. If insurance reimbursement is important to you, make sure that your analyst is qualified for insurance reimbursement in your state.

How Can I Find a Certified Jungian Analyst?
You may consult our online directory or contact Dr. Maurice Krasnow, Coordinator of the Jung Professional Referral Service: 1-646-522-6922 or JungReferrals@gmail.com. Dr. Krasnow will speak with you about your needs and preferences and arrange for an appointment with a Jungian analyst. There is no charge for this service. LINK: Jung Professional Referral Service.

What is the New York C.G. Jung Center Community?
Our five-part community is comprised of The New York Association for Analytical Psychology (NYAAP), the C.G. Jung Institute of New York, The Foundation for Analytical Psychology and Book Service/Store, The Analytical Psychology Club of New York and Kristine Mann Library, and the Archive for Archetypal Symbolism. LINKS to EACH. Our community is dedicated to helping people pursue learning about Jungian thought, connect with Jungian analysts, and advance scholarship.

What Additional Jungian Resources are Available to Me?