Depth Therapy
Looking to really get to the root of your life issues?
Wanting to create lasting change in your life?
Looking to get a deeper perspective on your concerns, rather than just learn tips, tricks, and “quick fixes”?
Craving increased connection to spirituality, the unconscious, myth, art, images, symbols, and dreams?
Wanting to reconnect with your soul?
If any or all of these questions resonate with you, you might be one of the many people who feel the urge to understand and experience life and self on a deeper level. Maybe you’ve had therapy before and, while some aspects may have been helpful, you left feeling like something was missing. Perhaps the progress you made didn’t “stick” as time went on.
Maybe you’re feeling tired of living on autopilot and looking to live a more soulful life. Or perhaps you’ve realized your spirituality and your personal growth work are actually the same thing and you’re looking for a supportive space to explore this interconnection further.
A depth psychotherapist can be a valuable, skilled guide to help you get to the root of the issues you’re wanting to navigate. Working with a depth therapist also helps you connect more deeply to your essence.
When you plumb your depths with the support of a depth therapist, a treasure chest of insights, gifts, strengths, and pearls of wisdom is often uncovered. This treasure chest might otherwise go undiscovered with solutions-based approaches that mainly focus on symptom reduction without exploring underlying causes. Depth therapy addresses both the root and symptom.
“But even as we fall out of grace with respect to our purpose we draw closer to it, because it calls to us, louder and louder. The more we distance ourselves from it, the more we lose our will, drive and energy, and we are forced to look for a way to find them again.”
― SOBONFU SOMÉ
What is depth therapy?
Depth therapy weaves together age-old global wisdom, the groundbreaking work of 20th-century psychology pioneers, and current neuroscience research. The term “depth therapy” is actually an umbrella term that describes a range of approaches. The common threads that weave through all of these approaches are an interest in the unconscious (the part of our psyche that lies under the surface of everyday awareness) and an emphasis on the soul (the part of the psyche where the personal and transpersonal, or spiritual, interface).
As a depth therapist, I help people get to the root of the issues they’re wanting to work through. In other words, I help them to get to the crux of the matter: where the issue originated, what its story is, what about it might want to shift, etc. I do this by helping to gently bring what’s unconscious into greater awareness. Further, I help to facilitate an increased connection with the soul, inner wisdom, intuition, and the world at large. In my depth therapy practice, I use the following modalities to facilitate these processes in a sensitive but potent way:
Transpersonal therapy—A holistic approach that views human psychology as much more than just “fixing what’s wrong.” Transpersonal therapy focuses on human potential, spirituality, spiritual experiences, creativity, integration of spiritual and plant medicine experiences, and global wisdom traditions. Many people find this psychospiritual way of working to be inspiring, enriching, and profoundly supportive.
Jungian psychotherapy—A modality based on the work of Carl Jung that incorporates working with dreams, myths, stories, symbols, artmaking, archetypes, and more. While this way of working naturally appeals to creatives and spirit seekers, it can also appeal to curious, open-minded people who feel have felt “stuck” in their head and would like to experience a different perspective.
Expressive arts therapy—The use of artmaking for therapeutic purposes, including but not limited to visual arts (i.e., drawing, collage, painting, photography), writing, poetry, music, movement, storytelling, sand tray, and drama. Art therapy can help to calm anxiety, reduce stress, stimulate creative problem-solving abilities, and put people in touch with their inner wisdom.
Somatic therapy—A term used to describe a variety of body-based approaches that, among other things, can help mediate the effects of chronic stress and resolve trauma. Examples of somatic therapy that I use include Somatic Experiencing, movement, and breathwork.
Attachment-based talk therapy—An approach where the therapeutic relationship itself is used as an instrument of change. With this form of therapy, emphasis is placed on the therapist creating a warm, nonjudgmental space where the client is invited to explore what emerges in real time in their interaction with the therapist. This form of therapy also looks at relationships with caregivers early in life, which create the templates for other relationships later on.
“Transpersonal psychology addresses the full spectrum of human psychospiritual development—from our deepest wounds and needs to the existential crisis of the human being, to the most transcendent capacities of our consciousness.”
― MARIANA CAPLAN, PH.D.
What issues do you work with using depth psychotherapy?
As a depth psychotherapist, I work with adults navigating life issues such as:
Burnout
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
Creative blocks
Exploration of creative expression
Existential questions
Exploration of spirituality
Exploration of sexuality
Integration of spiritual and plant ally experiences
Desire to create a deeper and more fulfilling life
Life transitions
Grief and loss
Relationship struggles
Sound interesting? You might still have some lingering questions, too…
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Depth therapy does not require having a particular religious or spiritual background or a current practice. There are some aspects of depth therapy that you may wish to engage with more than others (such as connecting with nature and the arts, exploring existential questions, and tuning into your dreams). If something is drawing you to depth therapy, I believe that is the most important requirement.
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As a therapist practicing depth-oriented psychotherapy, I will primarily focus on and center your spiritual and existential beliefs, questions, explorations, etc., in the work. While I may share books, resources, information, and certain practices from different wisdom traditions, my priority is to hold space for your unique exploration and unfolding.
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While I have been studying Jungian psychology formally and informally for nearly 25 years, I am not trained as a traditional Jungian analyst. Becoming a Jungian analyst requires an extensive years-long training program at an affiliated Jung training institute. However, I have received training on Jungian psychology and its clinical applications at such institutions as the C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco, the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, and New York University.
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Due to its more complex and thorough nature, depth therapy is generally a longer process compared with more solution-focused techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy. Several factors determine the duration of the therapy, including your needs, goals, and resources. On average, the therapy can last between 1-3 years.
However, some people choose to do therapy for more or less time. Further, some people decide to focus on doing a chunk of work on a particular issue and then take a break from therapy to integrate what they learned. They may decide to come back when they feel ready to do another chunk of work on a different issue at a later time. Ultimately, the choice of the duration of the therapy is up to you.
As a depth-oriented therapist focused on ethical practice and client empowerment, it is also important to me that the work always has a “North Star”—that is, a general aim, goal(s), or direction. I will work with you to help you determine and clarify your North Star(s), as well as create space to periodically evaluate them and how you’re feeling about the therapy in general. (If you’d like to learn more about the concept of the North Star as it relates to life purpose, which is slightly different but related to therapy North Stars, click here to read an article I wrote on the topic.)
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Depth-oriented therapy provides an opportunity to develop a trusting and safe relationship with your therapist. This relationship itself can often provide a powerful crucible for healing. Further, depth therapy creates the space to slow down and develop a compassionate, curious attitude while exploring how past experiences are affecting current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This exploration is facilitated via methods such as talk therapy, expressive arts therapy, and somatic therapy. Greater understanding is achieved as unconscious beliefs, feelings, patterns, and thoughts are gently brought to light. Inner and outer resources and strengths are identified and amplified. More targeted modalities such as Somatic Experiencing may then be used to treat the root causes and address related symptoms.
“There is a time for the labor of digging and mixing the earths, a time for the heat of fire, and a time for contemplating what is done.”
― CECILIA DAVIS CUNNINGHAM
Come back to your roots with depth therapy
In order to blossom and flourish, we need strong and healthy roots. If you’re feeling the need to create lasting change and re-enchant your life by tending your roots, I invite you to explore depth therapy.
Every journey begins with a courageous first step
Does this sound like what you’ve been looking for? If so, take the first step and click below to schedule a complimentary 20-minute intro call. In this call, we’ll see if it would be a good fit to work together.