What is Jungian Coaching?

Jungian Coaching uses the tools and ideas developed by CG Jung, the originator of Jungian Depth Psychology. This approach is not goal oriented, but intended to introduce a way of connecting to one’s inner wisdom. From a Jungian perspective, we have access to thoughts that are not yet conscious. Dreams, as an example, can bring us new information, of which we were unaware. Getting in touch with the unconscious can be done using methods such as active imagination, guided imagery, embodied imagination and/or dreamwork (there are many). By using these techniques, individuals find their own new approaches to daily life. These tools can be learned during coaching and applied long after the coaching sessions have finished.

Like other types of coaching, Jungian Coaching is short term and encourages ways to change old patterns that may no longer be serving the needs of a client. Jungian techniques encourage individuation, the process of finding the way to fulfill our life’s purpose or potential. This is different than a targeted approach, with outlined methods to change.

Symbols and images are the language of the transformative experience. Listening to the deeper calling, which can be felt through new emotions or body sensations, can lead to how or what to change. Jungian coaching is different from typical therapy – some people will do coaching as an add on to long-term therapy to get a different perspectiveon an immediate problem.

From a neurobiology perspective, Jungian work is more right-brained work – it accesses the side of the brain where we don’t have words and are closer to our emotions and instincts. Traditional coaching/Cognative Behavioral Therapy (CBT) type work is processed in the left brain – our day to day conscious decision-making side of the brain.

Because Jungian techniques are different than traditional counseling, they can lead to new ideas and changes in our lives, even when other approaches haven’t worked. These changes can usually be accessed, in practiced hands, in less than 10 sessions (the amount is determined by coach and client together).

After a client is finished with their coaching sessions, they will often have a new perspective on the initial issue that brought them to coaching. But Jungian Coaching will also lead to long term life changes. As we continue, over time, to engage our inner wisdom and the resources of the unconscious in our daily life, we will have a wider understanding of how we can proceed with the struggles that life invariably brings us.

Healing with Imagery

Using images for healing has been practiced by shamans, ancient Greeks, modern day psychologists, doctors and  health providers for over a thousand years. Images are the language that allow the body-mind to communicate. And we can tap into this communication! 

The next time you have a pain somewhere, ask the area what is wrong? The answer most likely will come in the form of an image. Images can be used to help heal us both psychologically and physically. Cancer outcomes can be improved by using Guided Imagery techniques. Chronic pain can be lessened or better controlled using Guided Imagery. And Guided Imagery can help us become more receptive or less overwhelmed when receiving medical interventions.

Carl Jung taught us about active imagination. This too works by using images to communicate with our body/mind and our unconscious thoughts. When you have a dream and you wish to know more, you can continue the dream by consciously communicating with one of the dream figures. Initially, it might be best to be taught the technique, but once you’ve done it a few times, it’s likely you can continue on your own. The dream images often have information for us that would be useful to us, but that we are presently unaware of.

From preparing for chemotherapy to learning relaxation techniques for anxiety, imagery is being used in the healing profession – but not often enough from my point of view. Guided imagery tapes can help you prepare for medical interventions, including surgery, or help one heal once a diagnosis has been made.

Interactive Guided Imagery is done by having someone personally guide you to the healing that you specifically need. It is done in real time; not from a tape. From the Academy of Guided Imagery website:

Interactive Guided Imagery℠ is an innovative process that includes all the features of guided imagery and adds the important element of interactivity to the mix. IGI℠ works directly with the images that arise from the individual’s own imagination and inner wisdom. These images reflect the inner workings of one’s own healing processes, and often permit access to critical information about the issue at hand. With IGI℠, the Interactive Imagery Guide℠ assists the client in learning to access and utilize the insights, resources, and solutions that arise from their own unconscious.

If you would like to learn more about this powerful therapeutic tool, Martin Rossman MD and David Bressler PhD have both written books about the technique. They also offer trainings for healthcare professionals. If you are interested in an Interactive Guided Imagery session please email Erika who has been certified by these professionals and has practiced for decades in this area of healing.

Working with Dreams

Why?

Because you are asking.

You know that something is requiring your attention. It’s speaking to you in images, symbols, gut feelings or “coincidences”. You might have had a dream about a deceased family member or a friend that you haven’t seen in decades. You might have had a dream about your childhood you haven’t thought about in a long time. You might have had a crazy dream “that means nothing”, but you know that there is more to it. Maybe you had a nightmare – once, twice or again and again and doesn’t seem to go away. These situations are asking for your attention. You can listen.

How?

You begin simply by making space in your life for the dream to find you. Just spending enough time to remember the dream can make a difference. Better yet, take a moment to find a way to be able to go back to it – write it down, draw a picture, find something that reminds you of the dream and put it at your bedside. Tell others about your dream(s). Ask for more dreams. Try not to “know” what the dream is telling you right away. Use it as a steppingstone for more information. Remain curious. Assume that there is always more.

Next steps

A good beginner’s guide to dreams is Machiel Klerk’s book, Dream Guidance.  In just the first 50 pages of this short book, he expertly explains, in very simple and easy to understand language, some of the history, uses, approaches and examples of life changing dreams. In the second half he helps you begin to engage in a dream life.

“Dream emergency”

I had such a dream. I never had really paid attention to dreams until this one came along. I felt I needed expert help right away. I had no idea where to go or what to do. I needed someone who really understood the language of dreams. I learned that trained dream counselors, Jungian analysts or Jungian trained therapists can help in these situations.

Besides giving me extraordinary information, the dream provided insight that influenced the way I continue to live my life. Dreams like this might just be as important to take care of as a case of appendicitis. Please don’t say “it’s just a dream”. It might transform you.