Depth psychology

From ArticleWorld

Depth psychology is the study and analysis of the deep, usually hidden, aspects of human experience stored in the unconscious mind. These aspects are considered to underlie motivation and in the event of mental illness, to be the key to recovery.

The theory is based on the work of Freud, Jung, Alfred Adler and Otto Rank, with Jung perhaps as the most important in his development of the concepts of the psyche, human development and individuation.

Three modern perspectives

Depth psychology has been integrated in three modern schools –

1. The psychoanalytic and Freud’s object relations theory which maintains that the way we internalize our childhood relationships goes on to influence thought and behaviour later.
2. Adlerian psychology, in the guise of Adler’s individual psychology.
3. Jung’s analytical psychology which sees the unconscious as the most important influence on behaviour and the way the unconscious communicates with the conscious is a key indicator of mental health.

Esotericism

Jung was of the belief that individual thought was greatly influenced by the past collective unconscious, which is the experience of the race. Depth psychology also maintains that the psyche is spiritual as well as instinctive, and each person chooses how to manifest the spirituality; with some choosing the non-spiritual path of greed and addiction.

Mythology is considered to be the symbolic telling of the wisdom of humankind and that all minds are engaged in myth-making. This school of psychology considers a person sane only when they are involved in, and responsible for, the environment and the world in general.