Psychotherapy process in Jungian analysis: Analysts' views of what is happening in early analysis
Abstract
This study investigated the work that Jungian analysts do with their clients. Twelve certified Jungian analysts who are members of the C. G. Jung Institute in Chicago were interviewed about their decisions to become analysts, their training to be analysts, what they learned were the essential components of Jungian analysis, how they differentiate between analysis and psychotherapy, and what they identify as important client and therapist factors needed for a good analytic process and outcome. Analysts also identified a current analytic case, in the first year of analytic work, and explored the case in terms of presenting issues, how and when the analyst knew the case was analytic, how the analyst and client established an analytic process and relationship, and goals and outcomes of the first three months of treatment. The interview process employed a modified version of a qualitative methodology called Consensual Qualitative Research. Results indicated that analysts value personal analysis as an important component of analyst training and doing good analytic work, that the therapeutic relationship is valued as an essential component in the analytic process, that the analytic attitude is more important than any specific techniques or interventions the analyst may employ, and that the analyst will use either or both psychotherapy and/or analysis in working with clients, depending on the client's interest, ability, and presenting issues. The present study further suggested that the Jungian analytic theoretical orientation has some unique and essential components that define and distinguish it from other theories of psychotherapy. Specifically, concepts that include the person of the analyst as an integral part of the analytic process (i.e., the dialectical nature of the analytic relationship) and concepts that foster understanding the spiritual dimension of the human psyche (e.g., symbolism, archetypes, the Self) as a healing factor in the psyche's journey toward wholeness (called Individuation), are unique to Jungian analysis.
This paper has been withdrawn.