What is Jungian Analysis?
Jungian Analysis is a meeting of two people, a meeting between two psychic wholes; an encounter, a discussion … the goal is transformation, an indeterminable change”(CG Jung). Jungian Analysis does not seek to “cure” or “fix”. The analyst accompanies the individual in the journey towards wholeness, that the individual may live a life that belongs to him/her, a life meant for the person.

“but the right way to wholeness is made up, unfortunately of faithful detours and wrong turning. It is a longissima via, not straight but snake-like, a path that unites the opposites … a path whose labyrinthine twists and turns are not lacking in terrors. …” It is a path that seems inaccessible, but I believe, this path is made available to us. It demands our whole being.

Analyst and analysand or client are in a vessel together, with a 3rd, which is psyche, or soul or the unconscious. I use these 3 words interchangeably. and what I mean by them is that which is unknown. We are in it and it is in us, has superior knowledge, guides, directs us on the path, pushing us and pulling us. Jung says, “give the unconscious a hearing” and that is what I do in my work with clients. We listen to soul together, we go inwards, we explore the different rooms in the psychic house, encounter the figures of the unconscious: anima, animus, shadow, divine child, wise old man, great mother - the many parts that belong to the individual.. One must assimilate and integrate these many parts into ones self. Analysis allows this process to unfold and develop.

In Analysis, the analyst with his or her years of training and personal analysis has developed the skill of listening to and observing the unconscious. He or she will impart this skill and knowledge to the analysand, that the analysand may develop the same skills albeit in his or her own unique way.

Analysis is working towards Individuation. “The quest demands everything.” One must show up for the work in weekly sessions. Psyche awaits, but she cannot wait long.

The encounters with the inner figures happen through dream work The dream is the language of the soul. It is “ a little hidden door in the inner most and most secret recesses of the Soul.” (Cg Jung CW 10). In dream work, we look for symbols, for the energies that are in psyche, that leads to wholeness and transformation.The other road to the unconscious is the complex, those feeling toned reactions and responses that at their core contain the archetype. Other roads to the unconscious is through creative work, the use of the imagination, painting, drawing, clay work, writing, and body movements.

On a personal note.
When I met my first Analyst, I had no clue what I was going to encounter. It was a difficult time in my life and I needed something. I met with her every week, and every week I brought a dream. Many times I did not understand what I was going through or even what she was saying. But there was something else that was happening to me I could not articulate then. All I knew was this analytical hour was the highlight of my week. It was the most important thing in my life and every week I looked forward to going back in that analytical vessel. It was difficult, and why would I go back each week when I was experiencing pain? It was not a “happy”place. All week long, I would think of my Analyst, and could not stop thinking about what we talked about, My dreams also responded to our work. Looking back, I can say now that there was a magnet. The Self was at work, and I was magnetized. Soul held me and my Analyst. My Analyst was in it as deeply as I was.

My experience will not be the same as that of others. But to me, this experience best explains what Jungian Analysis is. At bottom, it is soul work, the workings of soul. It is not the Analyst who does the work, not even the client. We are mere participants. Only many years later did I understand this. Psyche or soul was at work, leading me to what is meant for me, to my life.