My Work
SERVICES
Some clients seek help during a difficult period in their life, whereas others come to understand themselves better or focus on dream work.
JUNGIAN PSYCHOANALYSIS & PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY
My work is a combination of Jungian psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy. In reality, there are many intersections between the two. This is the reason why I use the terms psychoanalysis and psychotherapy interchangeably. Hence, I will be describing the general approach of my work using both principles.
We meet regularly to reflect on thoughts, feelings, memories, dreams, and aspirations. Therapists often mirror and help you connect different elements of your personality, in order to better understand certain patterns of behaving and in relating with others.
This process encompasses both cognitive and emotional levels, within a working relationship between therapist and client, and in connection with the higher part of you. I also endeavor to bring awareness to the body during our sessions.
In Jungian psychology, we respect the nature of the unknown factor in our psyche, and the uniqueness and complexity of human beings. The way we work differs for one client to the other, and your collaboration to explore the healing potentials within, is paramount. We hope for symptom relief, personal growth and exploration of your potentials.
Jungian psychoanalysis was developed by the Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Gustav Jung. His theories are based on psychological experiments during his early professional life, combined with his experience of working with patients, and his own confrontation with the unconscious following the break-up with his mentor, Sigmund Freud.
Jung also observed the parallels between the way the human psyche works, with the patterns found in the stories of mankind across all cultures, including fairy tales, myths, legends, alchemy, and mysticism. When we are touched in an uncanny way by certain song lyrics, art works, movies, video games, or contemporary literature, we encounter a universal human experience that is found ubiquitously regardless of where we live and where we come from. We find common threads that connect different individualities and uniqueness. When we are significantly touched by such experiences, they can serve as a portal to further exploration.
DREAMS
In Jungian analysis, we frequently work with dream interpretation as its symbols can potentially shed light on parts of us that we are not aware of. Dreams offer a deeper insight into our circumstances and at times could help us on how to move forward.
Dreams are not interpreted through the use of a dream dictionary or symbol manual – one person’s image could mean something different to another person. The context of your life and a two-way discussion between you and the therapist are important in working with dreams. Needless to say, when dealing with an abstract concept such as dream interpretation, one cannot assume a position of ‘I know it all’.
INTUITIVE PAINTING
Where relevant, I also work with intuitive painting. Like dream interpretation, intuitive painting is more about accessing deeper parts of us, rather than a demonstration of artistic skills. By painting freely without structure or rules, we give permission to our inner voice to speak; bypassing our rational mind.
Regular painting could serve the same purpose as writing a journal. It functions as a mirror into our deeper self, and can help us to understand ourselves better. The process also allows us to express unspeakable complex emotions.
BODY MOVEMENT
Those who do yoga or regular mindful body movement practices might have noticed that certain insights, feelings, and memories surface during the execution of certain postures. Some patients find this relevant and would like to explore more during face-to-face sessions.