What is Depth Psychology?
The primary core belief of depth psychology is that our unconscious processes have a strong influence on how we live, love, work, and function in the world. Practitioners of depth psychology (also called depth therapy) help us to explore and understand what exists at the depths of our unconscious selves as well as within the human experience.
There are two additional ideas that make depth psychology unique compared to other types of psychotherapies. First, is the exploration and encouragement of the imagination, which is manifested not only in dreams and fantasies, but in elements of art and culture: for example, stories, the classics, and myths. Second, is the acknowledgement that we're part of a world that requires us to make sense of numerous social, economic, political, and cultural realities.
In this complex world, depth psychology may be crucial to the broader aspect of well-being. Thus, it’s beneficial not only for those with psychological difficulties, such as anxiety, depression, or phobias. It can also be extremely helpful for those who wish to increase self-awareness and live a more fulfilling life.
History of Depth Psychology: Diverging Trajectories
The term, “depth psychology,” was first coined around the turn of the 20th century by psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, who was Director of the Burghölzli Asylum in Zurich, Switzerland. This is where Carl Jung, one of the early pioneers of depth psychology, began his career. Other influential figures included Sigmund Freud, Pierre Janet, and Alfred Adler.
Jung, Freud, and others in the field worked to delineate processes, desires, fears, and motivations which functioned outside of conscious awareness. They strived to understand the inner conflicts between conscious and unconscious motives that could cause psychological distress.
As is the normal process in clinical research and scientific inquiry, leaders in depth psychology began to diverge in key concepts and theoretical foundations. In particular, major disagreements occurred between Freud and Jung, causing a departure on poor terms. Although it’s near impossible to describe all emerging theoretical concepts, three types of depth psychology are described below:
Psychoanalysis (Sigmund Freud)
Analytical Psychology (Carl Jung)
Individual Psychology (Alfred Adler)
Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalytic theory first emerged in the 1890’s in Vienna, with the clinical research of Sigmund Freud. A neurologist by training, he sought to develop an effective treatment for those with various neuroses. While working with children that had aphasia (a disorder characterized by the inability to express and/or comprehend language), he noted that many had no organic cause for such symptoms.
Freud divided the human mind into three parts:
Id: the source of internal motivation
Ego: which includes reality-testing, judgment, and impulse control
Superego: the center of moral values and ideals
Since its inception, Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality spurred criticism and even detractors from his circle of colleagues. It should be noted, however, that his leap spurred the exploration among researchers and those emphasizing the value of depth psychology for over a century. Freud himself studiously re-worked and re-thought his concepts for the next 50 years, further enriching a larger body of research.
Freud gave us what might be considered one of the most enduring concepts in depth psychology: that dreams give clues to internal unconscious conflicts. If left unchecked, these conflicts lead to mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, and even physical disorders such as unexplained pain and paralysis.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: Learn more about Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
Analytical Psychology
Carl Jung believed that, in addition to the individual unconscious, a collective unconscious existed. Although the individual unconscious was the most active, the collective unconscious has an impact on thoughts, images, and behaviors.
The collective unconscious, according to Jungian psychology, is a set of shared memories and ideas that are innate to all humans. Jung noted numerous universal themes amongst all cultures, such as myths about how the universe was created. Within this unconscious there were numerous similar archetypes, or characters, such as Mother Earth, the caring and compassionate maternal figure. Another archetype was Wise Old Man, who gave sage advice during turbulent times. Because these archetypes exist across cultures, religions, and myths, Jung believed that they were part of the instinctual patterns held deep in the collective unconscious of all humans.
Jung believed that in order for humans to obtain happiness, individuation must occur. Individuation is the emergence of the “true self.” This is the successful integration of a series of constructed archetypes (of which there are multiple) with the ego.
Individual Psychology
The goal of Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology is to facilitate the development of healthy, cooperative individuals, couples, and families who are well-integrated into society. He emphasized a very holistic and potentially positive view of the human experience. Adler described true mental health as a state of human connectedness, caring for others, and the desire for self-development.
A key concept of Adlerian psychology is primary and secondary feelings of inferiority. Primary inferiority begins as an infant, insecure, and dependent. Inferiority is overcome as the child grows and develops. In some cases, possibly due to abuse, neglect, economic or social disparities, inferiority continues and has a negative impact on adulthood. A secondary state of inferiority can occur during adulthood, when some conditions create obstacles to success or social connectedness. A couple of examples of such conditions could include perfectionism or unrealistic expectations.
A central idea of Adlerian psychology is the striving for significance and overcoming feelings of inferiority. This is a basic objective of every human being, from birth until death. He emphasized that human beings are “indivisible,” and must be treated holistically, but also, well-integrated into the community, society, and the world around them. In this sense, his concepts overlap with many key elements of social psychology.
The Value and Many Benefits of Depth Psychology
Foundational theories and therapeutic approaches associated with depth psychology incorporate the capacity to delve into and explore deep and multiple layers of the human experience.The challenges of the 21st century necessitate both the need for increased self-awareness, and the life-affirming interconnectedness with family, work, friends, and society as a whole.
Granted, since we are all very different individuals, one’s needs for connectedness at work may pale in comparison to the connections with society in general. Still, some kind of self-development and fulfillment is undoubtedly a required element of life-satisfaction.
The Human Psyche is Indeed Complex
Understanding the human psyche requires consideration of all parts of our human heritage, including but not limited to religious traditions, classical literature, philosophy, the arts, and poetry. Interestingly, Freud’s idea of the id, ego, and superego is similar to Socrates’ discussion on morality, and the need for societal rules to address ‘the wild beast’ in human nature.
When these cultural influences are thoughtfully merged with depth therapy approaches such as dream analysis, exploration of unconscious processes, and free association, inner concerns, conflicts, and anxieties are brought into conscious awareness. With this new self-awareness, therapist and patient can then work through mental health issues and other life challenges.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: On Engaging the Unrecognizable
Knowing Yourself is the Beginning of All Wisdom
Supporting Evidence for Depth Psychology
For several decades, behavioral forms of therapy have been favored as having better outcomes than depth psychology. This is in part due to the heavier reliance on quantitative data to measure improvement in mental health. Fortunately, the medical community has been re-assessing the value of psychoanalytic and other forms of depth therapy. Over the past several years, research has revealed that it is as effective or more effective than behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Psychoanalytic practitioners emphasize that the therapies which address numerous mental health issues by exploring unconscious issues are particularly effective for those experiencing multiple personal, financial, and social stressors.
According to Pratyusha Tummala-Narra, professor of counseling and educational and developmental psychology at Boston College,
“Helping them [patients] with all of these complicated issues really requires a depth of understanding of the whole person and how these events are affecting their relationships with people and how they function in the world.”
[Check out this article from the American Psychological Association: Not Your Great-Grandfather’s Psychoanalysis].
Of particular value is that the benefits achieved from depth psychology continue after therapy is ended. This may be because the therapeutic approaches are more successful in addressing underlying psychological patterns.
Key Takeaways of Depth Psychology
The journey of theories and practices in depth psychology has definitely taken many turns throughout the centuries. It’s notable that the great thinker Socrates contemplated similar human struggles of morality, aggressiveness, and innate fears that Freud and his contemporaries so meticulously researched. Several main themes, however, remain consistent in the practice of depth psychology.
The theories of depth psychology are pertinent to the entirety of human experience, not just those with diagnosed mental health disorders.
The theoretical frameworks of depth psychology hold firmly to the value of exploring the unconscious and bringing it into conscious awareness.
We are all part of a world in which we must feel connected with the workplace, community, and society in which we live. This is a natural element of lifetime fulfillment.
Depth psychology values life experiences, which can be manifested (thus explored) through the imagination, the arts, and philosophy.
Want to Know More?
If you want to learn more about depth psychology and what it can do for you, contact Dr. Nicholas Samstag. He is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst living and working in New York City and also sees patients through virtual psychotherapy. Feel free to email him at: nsamstagphd@gmail.com
The patients Nick works with best are curious about how to change their current behavior to reduce psychological difficulties. He is well-versed in numerous therapeutic approaches to help them explore how the past may have influenced the present situation. A strong background in the classics and literature richly informs his work.