Shadow Work in Depth Psychotherapy
Often what gets pushed into our unconscious are things we don’t love about ourselves, memories that are painful, and any part of us that feels dark. This part of the unconscious is often referred to as the shadow. It makes sense, we unconsciously stow away the parts of ourselves that others may not love based on our morals, ethics, and culture’s standards of “normal.” In depth psychotherapy there is no light without darkness. Shadow material is relevant, important, and valuable. It is part of every living being. Exploring and accepting our shadows is a big part of depth psychotherapy at Rezak Therapy.
Working with Complexes in Depth Psychotherapy
Most people would not relish being told they have a complex about something. It usually has a negative connotation. That said, I’ll go out on a limb and suggest that we all have them. They generate from trauma, and often from our earliest relationships. Pia Mellody, a preeminent authority, lecturer, and educator in the field of addictions and relationships, describes trauma as “anything less than nurturing by a childhood caregiver.” It is a rare bird that has encountered zero traumatic experiences in their lifetime, or during the lifetime of their ancestors. Our individual and inter-generational trauma experiences vary greatly.
Let’s consider a complex you’ve probably heard of — the inferiority complex. An individual with an inferiority complex holds a core belief that they are not as good as others or that they are unworthy. They may overcompensate because of this complex and achieve a great deal, yet they never believe that they have achieved enough success. In this individual’s thinking, “I will never be enough.”
An inferiority complex may lead someone to be resentful and dissatisfied with their life. It may also drive them to avoid social interactions as a way to protect themselves from feeling less than others. Perhaps it explains an unexpected jealous reaction to learning that a dear friend has just sold a screenplay when they have been having difficulty finishing their own.
The Power of a Complex
In 1969, Carl Jung wrote, “Everyone knows nowadays that people ‘have complexes.’ What is not so well known is that complexes can have us.” When unconscious inner forces engage and control our behavior, a complex is likely active. People often describe this experience as becoming temporarily possessed by an emotion. For example, a fit of rage. The energy possessed by the complex may be greater than our conscious intentions.
There is a saying in 12-step circles, “If it’s hysterical, it’s historical.” When an event triggers a complex, this event acts like a magnet to a cluster of associations. The magnet attracts the ideas and convictions generated by a previous uncomfortable experience that could not be faced at the moment it occurred. This association process is nearly entirely unconscious.
Why Work with Complexes in Depth Psychotherapy?
I understand why the notion of having a complex feels uncomfortable. Complexes live in the unconscious for this exact reason. They are not usually reflective of our proudest moments. What if we could do something about our complexes? Our complexes will always be there, but bringing conscious awareness to them can disarm them.
Depth psychotherapy involves the exploration of complexes with the intention of removing some of their power over us. An inferiority complex has likely been relegated to the unconscious because it is too painful to hold in conscious awareness. In a safe trusting environment with a depth psychotherapist, light is gently shone on it.
We can begin to understand how the complex was generated in the psyche. Self-compassion is a key element in exploring our complexes. They always developed as a self-protective mechanism, probably a long time ago. They may have even formed in previous generations of your family and been carried down to you genetically.
Complexes are unconsciously created to help us deal with traumatic experiences. When they were created, our survival instincts (or those of our ancestors) were oriented to them as the best option for self-preservation. As we grow and age, personally and generationally, we gain new insights and new information. This information can be used to further neutralize our complexes. Adjusting our thinking and context for interpreting information today, based on all our acquired knowledge, is usually helpful.
Explore Your Complexes With The Help of Depth Psychotherapy in Pasadena, CA
Unlock the hidden depths of your psyche with depth psychology in Pasadena, CA, a powerful tool to delve into your unconscious mind and unravel complex psychological patterns. Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, shedding light on subconscious motivations and understanding the intricate interplay of your psyche with Rezak Therapy. Follow these three simple steps to get started:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if Depth Psychotherapy is right for you
Begin meeting with a skilled depth psychotherapist
Start uncovering the hidden depths of your mind.
Other Services Offered at Rezak Therapy in Pasadena, CA
At Rezak Therapy, we’re here to help you align with your most authentic self. So in addition to Depth Psychotherapy to help you find your true self, we also offer services for those struggling with depression and anxiety, couples looking to explore their connections, and the Artists Way Group which is a 12-week adventure of artistic discovery and personal exploration. For more on depth psychology and our other services check out our blog.
