Depth psychology

Depth psychology is a form of psychotherapy that examines the influences of the unconscious and semiconscious mind on thoughts and behaviors. It places emphasis on the patient's dreams and on explorations of the inner processes of the mind. This approach to psychology holds that behaviors and attitudes that lead to mental and physical health issues have their origins deep in the unconscious and semiconscious.

Background

Depth psychology had its origins in the early part of the twentieth century. Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler drew on the German term tiefenpsychologie, or "deep psychology," in naming the practice of going beyond the conscious mind to seek the causes of behaviors. A number of other psychiatrists were beginning to work with the concepts, including Carl Gustav Jung, Sigmund Freud, and Pierre Janet.

While Bleuler went on to focus on another psychological disorder, schizophrenia, which he also named, Freud focused his professional efforts largely on the effects of the unconscious and subconscious mind on mental health and function. He was especially interested in the idea that the subconscious mind could suppress, or restrain and conceal, memories that were painful, frightening, or traumatic. Even though the person had no conscious recollection of these events, Freud believed the buried memories could still have a significant effect on the person's thoughts and behaviors.

Jung, who was first an apprentice and later a rival of Freud, also placed great emphasis on the effects of the unconscious mind on the conscious. Jung believed in what he termed a "collective unconscious" of shared beliefs. He held this to be the source of archetypes, or symbols and beings that recur in various belief systems and mythologies, such as the idea of a tree of life.

Freud and Jung pioneered the practice of psychotherapy, which focused on helping patients delve into the unconscious and subconscious mind to root out repressed memories of experiences that were hindering their conscious lives. Others used similar techniques; for instance, Janet had a patient who had prolonged spells of crying and hysteria for no reason. Janet was able to determine that the patient had lost two loved ones but never had the opportunity to mourn them. This was causing a deep subconscious sense of sadness that caused the patient frequent and otherwise unexplained tears.

Overview

The work of Feud, Jung, Janet, and some of their contemporaries became the origin of depth psychology, based on the premise that many of the thoughts that trouble the conscious mind have their roots in the subconscious or unconscious mind. Freud, Jung, and their colleagues believed that dreams and other events, such as slips of the tongue, were indicators of subconscious thoughts or experiences that had been consciously repressed. They believed that dealing with these past experiences could heal problems in the conscious mind.

A number of techniques are used in depth psychology. A mental health professional often encourages recording and analyzing dreams in an attempt to discern patterns or images that could lead to the source of the patient's problems. The therapist might use guided imagery, such as reenacting scenes from dreams but leading them toward a specific course or having the patient imagine a certain problematic scenario while discussing how the scenario feels. These techniques can help to bring out fears or past experiences that the patient is not consciously recognizing but that are affecting their conscious life.

During conversations with the patient, the therapist will watch for small slips of the tongue, often called "Freudian slips," because Freud made people aware of the slips' potential importance. Freud believed these slips provided small glimpses into what a person was really thinking about—ideas that slipped past the controls of the conscious mind. To encourage conversation that could lead to insight into the person's subconscious, the therapist might have the patient engage in dramatic play-acting or work with paints or another art medium. Depth psychology proponents examine the results of these techniques for signs that can point to experiences or memories that are being hidden or repressed.

Once these issues in the subconscious are identified, the therapist helps the patient come to terms with them in some form. For example, once Janet's crying patient was encouraged to mourn fully for her lost relatives, her crying outbursts stopped. Other ways of coming to terms with previously buried experiences might include leading patients through a series of gradual steps that ultimately desensitize them to objects or experiences that frighten them. For instance, a patient who is afraid of flying might visit an airport, walk around on a plane while it remains on the ground, take a seat on a plane that is still on the ground, and finally take a flight. A therapist might work with a patient to acknowledge and talk about a traumatic experience, possibly involving others who were part of the initial experience, such as parents or siblings.

Although such psychoanalysis is less common in the twenty-first century, the concepts and ideas that are part of depth psychology still have a number of applications. The inherent theory of depth psychology—that the conscious mind and subconscious mind must be in agreement for the person to enjoy full mental health and peace of mind—is similar to some of the concepts of holistic medicine and New Age practices. Each believes that care for the root cause of a condition will yield better results than treating the symptoms.

The concepts of depth psychology have applications in education, in the personnel departments of companies, and in the management of everything from classrooms to countries. Social work, the legal system, and healthcare are other areas where looking for repressed or hidden motives can help to improve outcomes. For instance, a middle-aged person who refuses to go to the doctor for a checkup may do so because of a childhood experience in which a beloved grandparent went to the doctor and died shortly thereafter. A medical practitioner who can help the patient uncover this relationship between the experience and the fear it caused can better help the patient overcome their reluctance to seek care. Recognizing that many types of behavior have unconscious motivators and being able to help people get around or past them can be useful even under circumstances in which these subconsciously driven behaviors do not require therapy.

Depth therapy also experienced a slight resurgence in the second and third decades of the twenty-first century for several reasons. The contemporary field of mental health, which emphasizes personal growth and holistic wellness, incorporated some aspects of depth psychology and integrated them into modern therapeutic techniques. Research also showed that depth psychology had long-term benefits over cognitive or behavioral practices. Finally, depth psychology became more relevant to the contemporary world's rapidly changing cultural and social conditions.

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