C.G. Jung's Psychological Theories - Research Paper Example

 Abstract The application of psychological theories has provided a strong basis for treating and assisting patients. One of the leading theorists in psychological development is Carl Jung and the application of the psychodynamic approach. The concepts that are used with Jung’s theories have created a strong understanding of the categorization of emotions, personality and the subconscious. This paper will examine the main contributions that Jung has provided when treating patients, specifically through his foundational theories. There will then be an understanding of how this applies to specific types of mental disorders, including anxiety, depression and schizophrenia. The concepts that Jung used with the development of his treatments will then be considered in my private practice and approach to counseling, specifically with my interest in treating patients with phobias and anxiety disorders. Focusing on the analytical approach and foundational methods of Jung also will provide a different level of insight into how to understand and treat patients that are suffering from mental disorders. Introduction The ability to observe the state of mind that one is in as a psychologist requires observation and the ability to respond in the correct manner. When looking into different mental health concepts, there are specific ways to observe patients and the needs that they have. A theory that has provided several psychologists with the correct alternatives comes from Carl Jung’s psychodynamic approach. The main concept used by Jung was to observe reactions that were taken from those who had a psychological disorder. The observation would lead to not only an understanding of the main problems, but would also lead into deeper concepts of the unconscious and the emotional responses that dominated over an individual. As these are understood within the field of counseling, psychologists are able to find the root cause of various problems and can begin to diagnose and treat patients in the correct manner. Theories of Jung’s Psychodynamic Approach The psychodynamic approach offered by Carl Jung is one that is based on his several theories of how the mind functions and leads to specific actions. Jung believed that an individual would begin specific actions through precognition, meaning that it would begin to form in the unconscious or other part of the mind before becoming a conscious thought. Jung also believed that thoughts, emotions and instincts came through a combination of archetypes. The archetypes were divided into several categories, each which led to unconscious decisions and personalities that the individual carried with them. He believed that every individual that carried different personality influences were from a result of carrying the different archetypes and experiencing the world. When one was treated with a psychological disorder, it was because the archetypes were imbalanced and caused the unconscious to react in a specific manner, known as psychopathology (Ewen, 2003). The basis of Carl Jung’s theories then led to the practice of psychological observations that could help to treat an individual and the main difficulties that they were facing. The psychodynamic approach, according to Jung, had to first be categorized by the basic demographics an individual. The four phases of life, including childhood, puberty, middle age and old age all would lead to reenacted of an individuals experiences from a younger age. This was combined with the self – regulating psyche, which included the several elements that had to be evaluated in terms of one’s unconscious, emotional and active cognition. When evaluating this, Jung would use opposite theories, including introversion and extroversion, reason and emotion and perceptions of reality to diagnose and treat an individual. Jung believed that by doing so, one would be able to define the deeper issues that were in the persons psyche and unconscious that they were acting on (Golan, 1981). Working with Mental Health and Jung’s Theories The theories that Jung presented for those that were treated with mental illness then leads into several applications that come from the basic theories. Practitioners can apply the various theories and models of psychodynamic approaches to ensure that patients are treated and observations of how the subconscious is working are tapped into. The first components that can be seen to work effectively with Jung’s theories are based on anxiety that many face during different time frames in their lives. Since Jung based many of his approaches on different types of emotional responses, anxiety is one of the areas that can easily be treated through his theories. For instance, when treating general anxiety disorder (GAD), is one that is linked specifically to instability of the emotions. In more recent clinical practices, it has been found that, similar to Jung’s theories, GAD and other forms of anxiety are related specifically to instability of emotions. The more that the emotions are deregulated and not treated or controlled, the more likely it moves to problems such as anxiety. To treat this, emotional regulation therapy can be used to evaluate the different emotions and to begin to move them back into a regular basis (Mennin, 2006). Another application used with Jung’s theories is known as creative therapies. The application that is used combines the several categories of emotional responses with psychodynamic responses. The observations made with the responses are based on providing clients with different activities that will allow for a complete analysis of what is occurring in the subconscious and through different cognitive processes. Treating depression and other emotional responses become a main way in which the creative activities can be used and treated. Expressive arts therapy is one of the main ways in which this is used, specifically which allows the subconscious expressions of feelings of depression, sadness and other emotions to be expressed. Writing, dance and other forms of art are some of the most popular concepts that are used for observation. After doing this, the analysis from psychologists can be made and treatments can be looked into for the various difficulties that have occurred. It has been found that the creative treatments provide for self – expression and interpersonal skills and automatically allow individuals to stabilize and treat emotions from mental health diseases, such as depression (Morrison, 2008). A third treatment that often applies to the theories of Jung is based on schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorders. The application of psychodynamic approaches is based on the ability to observe and analyze the reactions of patients in given circumstances. With both schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorders, it is found that clients will alter between two frames of mind and thought patterns. Each of these symptoms is associated with subconscious thoughts that move into actions and different formations of responses to various questions and thoughts. Current researchers (Javanbakht, 2005), have found that treating schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorders is dependent on observing and recognizing the alternative thought patterns in patients. More importantly, there is the need to define the different emotional behaviors and responses and reactions to basic cognitive processes. As this is done through Jung’s theories, the easier it becomes to tap into subconscious processes, history of the patient and problems in which each are associating with in the disorders (Javanbakht, 2005). Each of the main concepts that apply to mental disorders and the treatments of Jung are based on analysis and observation of the several dimensions of problems that may occur. The newer applications and principles use Jung as a basis, specifically to show that there is a direct relationship to emotional and subconscious responses when in a specific situation. The psychologist’s ability to observe and treat this specific response system then becomes a main component of treating mild to severe mental disorders, including the ability to assist those that are facing depression, anxiety or schizophrenia. Personal Experiences with the Psychodynamic Approach The concepts that Jung applies to the psychodynamic approach are not only used with the basic concepts of analyzing the subconscious and emotional responses. My personal practices and theories for counseling have also led into applications of this approach and the way in which it can be used. The main focus that I believe in when working with clients is based on an interest in phobias and anxiety based disorders. The application of Jung’s analysis of emotions as well as the ability to categorize and define the different personality traits of patients are some of the basic concepts applied when treating these individuals. More importantly, there is the ability to recognize and analyze the way in which this is associated with the subconscious. It has been found that there are deeper issues that are often rooted with patients when looking at this aspect of their psyche, all which can help to provide assistance and a response to the needs of the patients. The foundational research from Jung is one that associated most mental disorders as a response from emotions and the subconscious. When looking at the treatment of phobias, it can be seen that the need to regulate and understand both of these concepts need to be applied. Treatments for phobias are known to be rooted first in the emotions, which needs to be analyzed and observed from patients. When a client comes in with a phobia, there is the need to evaluate the specific responses, reactions and emotions that are applied to this. When looking at these aspects, as well as the behavioral responses of the patients, there is the ability to understand where the root problems are. More importantly, this provides a deeper understanding of not only the phobia, but also the way in which they respond to the behaviors because of the emotions and subconscious. While most clients don’t recognize the responses, a psychologist can easily observe the reactions that occur when an individual thinks about a phobia, including levels of fear, anxiety and difficulties with the idea of a specific object. By creating a sense of exposure and looking into the emotions and fear, a psychologist can attempt to balance and regulate the responses that are occurring (Bornas et al, 2006). When I am working with patients or observing different behaviors and patterns, there is the ability to tap into the phobias and responses specifically by looking at interactions from patients. This moves into Jung’s theory, which shows different behaviors and responses that come from the subconscious and emotions. There are different words, thought processes and beliefs that trigger specific behaviors and which lead to responses of fear. When observing and analyzing patients, it can be seen that most phobias have a strong, foundational emotion and response that comes from the subconscious and a series of beliefs about a specific situation. Through observation, speaking with patients and moving into deeper causes, it can be seen that other subconscious thoughts are also associated with phobias. Jung also applied this to his approach, specifically through the idea of de-idealization. The concept of de-idealization was based on an individual reformulating past traumas and experiences through other means. When looking at the subconscious and specific behaviors, it is seen that phobias and fears are a result o these past concepts and the need to de-idealize what has occurred. The cure, similar to Jung’s approach, is to change the phobias by moving into the other past traumas of the subconscious and psyche for complete treatment (Blum, 2007). Another application of Jung’s theories and approaches that are used with my own counseling and understanding is from my raised interest in anxiety based disorders. The basis of anxiety can also be evaluated as a range of emotions and subconscious processes that are intertwined to other experiences and belief systems. When analyzing a client that is facing an anxiety disorder, there is always a root belief or emotion that continues to arise when the anxiety is at the highest. More importantly, the emotion often comes from trigger responses to different experiences or beliefs. To further analyze this, there is the ability to have the client respond to some of the newer trends in psychology, such as the ability to define images and to respond to subconscious processes. Art therapies and other methods that tap into the subconscious can also be used all which show that the anxiety based disorders can be analyzed differently. The observations and the analysis take place at several different levels based on the dimensions of awareness that are observed and analyzed through the patient. Through this, one can define ways to eliminate the anxiety and stress while tapping into subconscious processes that have created the anxiety based disorders (Brantley, 2007). The basic process that can be used with anxiety based disorders is one that requires an individual to begin reprocessing the information that has been created until it is not idealized any more in the mind. Since most of the disorders are based on subconscious thought processes or past experiences that continue to remain in the subconscious, treatment of anxiety based disorders requires analyzing, observing and treating these specific thoughts. Guided imagery and emotionally charged memories can be used to arouse the different memories and subconscious thoughts. As this occurs, there is the ability to look at the trauma that has occurred while developing ways to overcome the anxiety not only through the basic emotions, but also through the understanding of the subconscious process that has led to the anxiety. For instance, if an individual is suffering from PTSD, or post traumatic stress disorder, there is the ability to guide them through the images and heightened emotional responses from the condition. Since PTSD is surrounded by images, dreams and flashbacks, the continuous movement of looking at these aspects will help them to overcome and treat what is needed. The more that this is processed and integrated, the less that the anxiety base becomes prevalent, all which allows the patient to find a way to overcome the anxiety from the emotional and subconscious responses (Sheikh, 2007). When observing different clients that are facing anxiety based disorders, such as PTSD, it can be seen that there is a specific relation to other events or traumatic instances that have occurred in the past. I have noticed that there are higher anxiety levels through behavioral responses when mentioning specific instances or when asking the client to respond to a specific situation. There is also the ability to understand how this leads them to respond on several different levels, including emotional and psychological processes that they begin to go through. The anxiety disorder is a result of the several emotional and cognitive responses that occur, all which lead to the overall anxiety or belief system about a specific situation. Treating the patients by first observing and analyzing the responses, then providing a de-idealization about the situation can then be used to provide better response systems for those that are suffering from an anxiety disorder. Conclusion The use of Jung’s theories and applications in the field of psychotherapy is one that provides different results and the ability to help patients with anxieties, phobias, schizophrenia and other mental disorders. Understanding that mental disorders are related to the emotions and the subconscious are some of the foundational principles that can be applied when looking at the theories and application of Jung. More importantly, there is the ability to look into treatments by evaluating and observing the several dimensions that lead to the disorder one is being treated for. There is also the ability to categorize and define the types of emotions or subconscious responses that one is experiencing as well as how this has created a specific set of defenses by the client who is suffering from a mental disorder. Using the categorization, evaluations and terms from Jung then provide a strong basis for assisting the mentally heal while providing them with the capability to overcome the disorders in which they are suffering from. References Blum, HP. (2007). “Little Hans: A Contemporary Overview.” Psychoanalytic Study of the Child (62). Bornas, Xavier, Miquel Tortella – Feliu, Jordi Llabres. (2006). “Do All Treatments Work for Flight Phobia? Exposure Versus a Brief Multicomponent Nonexposure Treatment.” Psychotherapy Research (16), (1). Brantley, Jeffrey. (2007). Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. New York: Springer. Ewen, Robert. (2003). An Introduction to Theories of Personality New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum. Golan, Naomi. (1981). Passing Through Transitions. New York: Macmillan. Javanbakht, Arash. (2005). “The Theory of Bowls and Bugs: a Model for Explanation of the Coexistence of Psychological and Biological Etiologies in the Psychosis.” Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry. (33), (2). Mennin, Douglas. (2006). “Emotion Regulation Therapy: an Integrative Approach to Treatment Resistant Anxiety Disorders.” Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy (36). Morrison, MR. (2008). ‘Summoning the Muse: the Role of Expressive Arts Therapy in Psychiatric Care.” Psychiatric Times (25), (1). Sheikh, Anees. (2007). Healing Images: the Role of Imagination in Health. New York: Baywood Publishing Company. Read More