Depth Therapy

Depth therapy, or depth psychology, refers to therapeutic approaches that take the unconscious into account. It is an interdisciplinary approach and therapists that practice depth therapy believe that everyone has traits they may not be aware of that influence their emotions, decisions, work, and life. The unconscious influence that these traits have may be negative, and depth therapy helps individuals better recognize these subconscious forces at work, so that they might better understand their present situation. A therapist specializing in depth therapy will work to help you gain more self-awareness in order to further develop positive traits and cope with the negatives. Think this approach may be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s depth therapy experts today!

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We can work together on your dreams and your self-expression through art work, poetry, creative writing, etc., to help gain insight into the patterns being played out in your life. I completed my Ph.D. in Depth Psychology with an emphasis in depth psychotherapy from Pacifica Graduate Institute in 2018.

— Kristen Hornung, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Encinitas, CA

Depth therapy allows for an exploration of the unknown, or the unconscious self. It is a way for you to uncover parts of the self that may have been hidden. It may include dreamwork, breathwork, body movement and talking.

— Dr. Denise Renye, Sex Therapist
 

Throughout grad school and since, I have studied Depth Psychology. In particular, the work of Carl Jung. I also have experience as a client of Jungian analysis. I am fascinated with how engaging with unconscious content can help us learn so much about ourselves at a deep level, and through that help us find meaning and bring about transformation.

— Brent Harrison, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in LOS GATOS, CA

Depth therapy is about committing to the inward journey to help us better understand our personalities, impulses, tendencies, and unconscious thoughts and behaviors. We are all very complex beings and taking the long-term journey is sometimes needed to break through our own defenses and self-defeating behaviors and thoughts. When negative core beliefs are deeply imbedded in our psyches it takes some time to unlearn behaviors and thoughts and grow from our vulnerabilities.

— Daniel Lavelle, Licensed Professional Counselor in McLean, VA
 

Depth therapy encompasses several different schools emerging from psychoanalytic and branching out into psychodynamic, object relations, relational and many others. I would say that while this therapy is fairly heavy in theory, the overall impact is a deepening of the patient/therapist relationship, with the emphasis placed on therapist stepping into the client's emotional experience with them safely and respectfully.

— April Watson, Psychotherapist

With specialized training and consultation, I have always had a depth focus in my practice. What I've learned is that while some people need a brief period of support, others have layers of past experiences that need regular attention in order to attend to and build insight into in order to create healthy and lasting change. My many years of training and over a decade of experience practicing depth work informs me that these changes come from a place of self-awareness and integration.

— Natalie Spautz, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Oakland, CA
 

In depth (AKA psychodynamic) therapy, we work to uncover the unconscious patterns and beliefs that contribute to the outer symptoms and struggles that often manifest as anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, burnout, and more. This isn't a quick fix, yet I generally find that my clients benefit more quickly from this than they often expect. Whatever is bringing you to therapy right now, if we want to make it stop, we have to learn why it's happening.

— Maria Orr, Marriage & Family Therapist in Corvallis, OR

Throughout grad school and since I have been deeply engaged with the unconscious. I studied Depth psychology and particularly Carl Jung for many years. I have also been a client of Depth therapy off and on for many years. I am fascinated with how developing engagement with unconscious content can teach us so much about our lives and through that help us find meaning and transform us.

— Brent Harrison, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in LOS GATOS, CA
 

Depth therapy is meant usually for people who feel they don't understand why life hasn't felt satisfying to them, why nothing works out over the long term, and why perhaps their relationships have been unsuccessful. Most of these issues involve unconscious conflicts and feelings that need to be uncovered over time. With the right help, though, someone can become much more successful over time, both in work and in love.

— Wendy S Kaiser, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York, NY

Through the study of dreams, images, symptoms, slips of the tongue, spontaneous humor, meaningful coincidences as well as interpersonal engagements. Depth psychological approaches attempt to help individuals become aware of what has been cast out of consciousness or not yet able to be known. Healing is associated with allowing what has been repressed, rejected, denied or ignored to come forward so that the person can understand, explore its significance and integrate it, allowing for a transform

— Jerry Moreau, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Diego, CA
 

Depth Therapy is based on the psychology of Carl Jung and believes you have a conscious and an unconscious life. The unconscious can be running the show without your knowledge. In this type of therapy I guide you through a process to help you access self awareness and inner wisdom as we gently uncover the parts of you that need conscious healing. We work from the inside out & we always uncover without shame or blame. This is how we start becoming more of who we are & less of who we are not.

— Christina Sheehan, Licensed Professional Counselor in Portland, OR

Within psychodynamic approaches, depth and Jungian orientations offer a creative view of the human psyche. The presence of story, imagination, dream-tending, art, expression, association, intuition, and the numinous are appreciated within the therapeutic relationship. These elements help to reveal unconscious material, personal, and collective complexes that are influencing one’s life and relationships.

— Rebecca Bruno, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Pasadena, CA
 

Investigative inquiries where the client is invited to be curious about their experiences and dreams, thoughts, feelings, and actions in a respectful and safe environment. This work includes reflection on dreams, creativity, and somatic and numinous experiences that can help individuals gain self-awareness and add deep meaning to their lives.

— Karen Chenier, Psychotherapist in Lake Oswego, OR

My journey into depth psychotherapy began during my undergraduate studies in German, Psychology, and Sociology, continued with my doctoral work in German, Jewish, and Scandinavian Studies, and expanded with my master’s work in counseling. My work is based on the principles of transpersonal psychology, Eastern and Western philosophies, thanatology, gender studies, and attachment theory.

— Lisa Rainwater, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Winston Salem, NC
 

We like to think we know everything, but doing this work it's become apparent there's a lot more going on than we can see. Beneath our everyday lives, there's a vibrant world of hidden thoughts, feelings, images and sensations, all acting on us in ways we don't realize. So when we look at personal transformation, it's not just about solving problems and becoming a better person, but learning about and respecting the great forces that are always working below our awareness.

— Jesse Cardin, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in San Antonio, TX