Contemporary depth psychology is a branch of clinical psychology that focuses on the value of linking the conscious self with what is shut out of conscious awareness, i.e. the unconscious self. This approach also called “psychodynamic” or “psychoanalytic” can be applied to helping to explore and resolve childhood and intergenerational socio-cultural trauma.
Depth oriented therapy helps by tracing current psychological problems (symptoms) to old unconscious patterns sometimes stemming back to childhood or ancestral injuries. As these underlying patterns are addressed more directly, symptoms of anxiety, depression, and relationship distress can often be relieved and more compassionately understood. This process may also provide more optimal conditions for the natural potential within one’s personality to blossom.
Depth oriented techniques include dream work, exploring the imagination, and careful, collaborative study of patterns emerging in the real-time therapeutic relationship.