Honoring Life - Honoring the Soul Approach
practice. Carl Jung was a pioneer in psychiatry and psychotherapy during the last century. As a scholar, researcher, thinker, and theoretician, he founded the analytical school of psychotherapy. In doing so, Jung continues to influence generations of counselors and psychotherapists. Jung's lifelong quest to understand the psyche led him to develop an approach to the psychology of the individual (analytical psychology) that pursues healing in both body and spirit. Possibility
trying to work through and accomplish through their psychological problems. He recognized that people were trying to heal, even in all their difficulty. Also, his approach is prospective, meaning people work toward possibility and to better understand their issues and to open new paths for themselves. In this way, people work to come closer to their own individual nature and away from the conditioning of what Jung called the collective. People try to create more effective and whole personalities during the course of their lives. This concept lives in my counseling approach. I accept people as individuals and begin the counseling process from where they are right now. I do not make assumptions about what is needed or see current problems as simply neurotic or label them. I view them respectfully -- as attempts to resolve problems or difficulties and to find one's own path and sense of self. It is important to respect wherever a person wishes person to begin their counseling conversation. We start where you are comfortable. I work in such a manner that we get beneath the presenting symptom to the underlying issue or issues. In this way, a more profound personal experience can occur. This approach is holistic -- it honors psyche, mind, body, and spirit. The Client and Counselor Relationship
collaboration. This concept is valid today. Contemporary research indicates that the quality of the client and counselor relationship is the most important factor in a therapeutic process. We work on topics important to you. We move toward a deeper understanding difficulties and to identify and work through obstacles and wounds that deter psychological wholeness. We work on being aware of what is happening in and outside of sessions. This might include patterns, responses, and attitudes that as Jung would say, are getting in the way of your living a fuller life. Within the counseling relationship, we are mindful. We pay close attention to current and forgotten dreams, interests,and abilities.
respected as different from any other person's. Meeting regularly is key to your counseling process. We meet at least weekly. As desired, or In crisis, we may meet more often. Meeting more frequently remains your choice. Working With Images
and fantasies. He found symbols to be living elements that bear paying attention to. He pioneered techniques, often referred to as expressive work. Based on his personal work now published in "The Red Book," he invited clients to draw and write about dreams, feelings, thoughts, or distress. This is not a demand to make art, but an opportunity to express emotion, inner energy, or other effort. Another approach is to return to stories, fairy tales, or film enjoyed in childhood and now. I treat these images as an integral, living, and meaningful parts of the therapeutic process. Over the years, Jungian psychotherapists expanded the use of expression in therapy. For example, they encourage journaling, sand play, dance, dream work, drama, body movement, and an approach Jung named Active Imagination. As you are comfortable, we work with your images, orienting them in context and feeling. For example, you may draw a dream image. You may keep a journal or a dream journal. Without pressure and with respect for your interests, you may consider referral a group for body movement, psychodrama, music, or other expression. I encourage expressive forms in sessions, especially when someone grapples with depression or anxiety. Seeking a Trained, Licensed Counselor
Jung stressed that professional practitioners must undertake their own therapy as well as continue training and learning. These elements are respected in my practice through my personal work, training, consultation, and professional supervision. In this way, I welcome what a person brings to each session. This also means that if I conclude that my training and preparation do not match your needs, or if you feel you need another approach, I will make my best effort to refer you to another licensed counselor, social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist who more closely suits your needs.
include what confidentiality is in therapy. You will review my confidentiality statement. You are encouraged to ask questions. You are encouraged to bring up matters of concern or interest about the counseling process, how we work together, or other questions. You will also review my Professional Disclosure Statement, which helps to ground my approach. Please know that I prefer to work with clients for longer vs shorter periods of time; this is relative to each client, but brief therapy is not a part of my practice. Additional Information
difficulties or questions. Jung offered the insight that there is something within us that wants and needs to grow, regardless of our age. All of us have a deep drive to find a more effective way of living and to find meaning in the way we live our lives. In fall of 2008, a leading medical journal cited that longer-term therapy is very effective, "According to comparative analyses of controlled trials, long-term, psychodynamic psychotherapy showed significantly higher outcomes in overall effectiveness, target problems, and personality functioning than shorter forms of psychotherapy" JAMA [Journal of the American Medical Association] 2008;300 (13):1551-1565. Jungian therapy is specifically a psychodynamic therapy (one that recognizes the unconscious), and is typically a longer- term therapy, dependant upon the needs of the client. More To read about the Swiss psychiatrist and mental health pioneer Carl G. Jung, two helpful websites are listed below. Also See Counseling Resources for books, websites and other publications that may be helpful or of interest: www.cgjungpage.org http://www.freudfile.org/jung/ |
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| Counseling Services of NE Portland Counseling LLC Hollywood District, Portland, Oregon 503-287-1526 |
| There's a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn't change. from William Stafford, The Thread See Poems |
| Telephone: 503-287-1526 |
