![A round garden laid out in four quarters around a still pool, beside an old stone tower by a lake at dusk](https://viacara.com/img/content/approaches-jungian-therapy-feature-light.webp)

# Jungian Therapy

Learn how Jungian therapy works with dreams, symbols and meaning, what sessions are like, how it differs from psychodynamic therapy and the research.

## What is Jungian therapy?

Jungian therapy is a talking therapy based on the work of Carl Jung. It is also called analytical psychology, the name Jung gave it.

You and your therapist work together to bring hidden parts of your mind into awareness. The aim is more balance, and a clearer sense of meaning.

Dreams, images and symbols are at the heart of the work. So are questions about what your life means.

Sources: [BACP: types of therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-1), [SAP: analytical psychology](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-2), [UKCP: approaches](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-3)

## Where it comes from

Carl Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist, born in 1875. He worked closely with Sigmund Freud in the early days of psychoanalysis. In 1913, after their ideas grew apart, the two men went their separate ways.

In London, the Society of Analytical Psychology began in 1946. It was the first to offer a training in Jungian analysis, and Jung was its first president. Jung died in 1961.

Sources: [SAP: Carl Jung](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-4), [SAP: analytical psychology](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-2), [SAP: Michael Fordham](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-5)

## Key *ideas*

A few of Jung's ideas come up often in this therapy:

- **The collective unconscious.** A deeper layer of the mind that Jung saw as shared by all people.
- **Archetypes.** Jung's name for patterns in the mind, such as the mother, the child, birth and death.
- **The shadow.** The parts of yourself you find hard to accept. It can hold good qualities too.
- **The persona.** The face you show to the world, named after the masks of Greek actors.
- **Complexes.** Groups of images, ideas and feelings that can make you feel out of control.
- **Individuation.** Jung's word for becoming who you really are, and finding meaning and purpose.

Jung also thought a symptom, such as anxiety, could be a sign that something inside you is out of balance.

Sources: [BACP: types of therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-1), [Hogenson n.d.](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-6), [SAP: analytical psychology](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-2), [Hopwood n.d.](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-8), [Perry n.d.](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-7), [Schmidt n.d.](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-9)

## How it *works*

Dreams matter a great deal in this therapy. Jung valued them almost above all else, as a way to see what is going on inside you.

Unlike Freud, Jung did not see a dream as a disguise for hidden wishes. He saw it as the unconscious commenting on your life right now.

Your therapist may also use active imagination, a kind of meditation that lets images and symbols come up. Some use painting, games or sand play too.

You do not have to be a vivid dreamer. Your therapist can start from pictures in the world around you instead.

You bring your dreams, your pictures and whatever else is on your mind. Together, you look at what they might mean for you.

Exploring *personal meaning*

- **Everyday experience** You bring concerns, feelings and events from your life.
- **Dreams and images** You may explore dreams or images and the associations they bring.
- **The relationship** You and your therapist consider what happens between you in the work.

Jungian work can connect these areas. Dreams and images are material for exploration, not a fixed code to decode.

Sources: [SAP: analytical psychology](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-2), [Hogenson n.d.](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-6), [Kast n.d.](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-10), [Soubrouillard n.d.](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-11), [SAP: what happens in analysis](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-14), [UKCP: approaches](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-3)

## What *sessions* look like

Sessions last 50 minutes. You might go anything from once to five times a week.

Four or five times a week is often called analysis. Once, twice or three times a week is often called psychotherapy.

Analysts generally use a couch, and you may lie on it. In psychotherapy you may sit in a chair or lie on the couch. Many therapists also work online or by phone.

It is hard to say at the start how long therapy will last. The Society of Analytical Psychology says there is no short cut or quick fix.

Even so, a few sessions can sometimes put one problem in perspective.

The society runs a low-cost scheme for students and for people on benefits or low incomes. Its analysts are experienced practitioners in training. For analysis, you commit to four sessions a week for at least two years.

50

minutes a session

once to five times a week [SAP: Jungian analysis](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-12)

4

sessions a week

low-cost analysis [SAP: clinic](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-15)

2

years at least

low-cost analysis [SAP: clinic](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-15)

The first meeting is a chance to see how it feels to talk with this person. You can ask how they work before you agree to go on.

Sources: [SAP: Jungian analysis](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-12), [SAP: analysis and the couch](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-13), [UKCP: approaches](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-3), [SAP: what happens in analysis](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-14), [SAP: clinic](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-15)

![The view from the armchair over the round pool, where the rising moon is reflected beside a carved spiral stone](https://viacara.com/img/content/approaches-jungian-therapy-mid-light.webp)

Jungian therapy looks for meaning in dreams, images and symbols

## How it differs from *psychodynamic* therapy

Jungian therapy and [psychodynamic therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/psychodynamic/) both belong to the psychoanalytic family. The difference lies in what each one looks for.

Jung was more interested in the present and your future growth than in digging into the past. He looked for the meaning and purpose of a symptom, not only its cause. He linked that growth mostly to the second half of life.

Freudian work centres on words. The Jungian approach sees images as the main way into the unconscious.

The work often takes in spiritual experience too. One Jungian body says spirituality here is not the same as religion.

Sources: [UKCP: approaches](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-3), [Hopwood n.d.](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-8), [Schmidt n.d.](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-9), [Soubrouillard n.d.](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-11), [GAP: about](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-16)

## Who it may *suit*

Jungian therapy may suit you if you:

- Have dreams or images that stay with you
- Feel a lack of meaning, even when life looks fine from the outside
- Are at a turning point, or in the second half of your life
- Want room for spiritual questions, with or without a faith
- Enjoy drawing, painting or other creative ways of working

It may suit you less if you want a set programme with tasks between sessions. The Society of Analytical Psychology says meaningful change takes time. It also says another kind of therapy is sometimes more suitable.

The work can be hard and painful at times, and it takes some courage.

Sources: [SAP: analysis and the couch](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-13), [SAP: what happens in analysis](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-14)

## Finding a *Jungian* therapist

Five UK Jungian groups belong to the International Association for Analytical Psychology. Each belongs to the British Psychoanalytic Council, the UK Council for Psychotherapy or both. Both councils keep registers accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Anyone in the UK can call themselves a psychotherapist or a counsellor. The NHS advises checking that a private therapist is on an accredited register.

At the British Jungian Analytic Association, training takes at least four years. Trainees have their own analysis at least three times a week.

Sources: [IAAP: member societies](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-27), [BPC: member institutions](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-17), [UKCP: Jungian analysis college](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-18), [BPC: regulation](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-19), [PSA: UKCP](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-20), [Lally & Naulls 2025](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-21), [NHS: talking therapies](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-22), [BPF: BJAA training](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-23)

## The *evidence*

Jungian therapy as a whole has not been tested in a randomised controlled trial. In such a trial, people are put into groups by chance, so the results can be compared fairly.

Sandplay, a method some Jungian therapists use, has had trials of its own. A 2019 review found 16 randomised trials of it, with children and adults.

A 2013 review found studies mostly from Germany and Switzerland. They were mostly studies of everyday practice, without a control group. The studies found improvements, but a tenth to a fifth of people did not benefit.

10–20%

of people did not benefit

everyday practice, mostly Germany and Switzerland [Roesler 2013](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-24)

A 2022 review found some support for Jungian therapy, and a strong need for randomised trials. In 2025, the same lead researcher called the evidence base still weak.

His team's own study followed 104 people in Jungian therapy at a German training institute. They had fewer symptoms afterwards. It had no control group, so it is hard to know whether the therapy caused the change.

NICE does not name Jungian therapy in its guidance on depression or generalised anxiety. The NHS Talking Therapies manual does not list it either.

If you are weighing up a few options, our [guide to the different approaches](https://viacara.com/guides/understanding-approaches/) sets them side by side.

Sources: [Roesler 2013](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-24), [Roesler et al. 2025](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-26), [Roesler 2019](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-28), [Roesler & Reefschläger 2022](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-25), [NICE NG222](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-29), [NICE CG113](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-30), [NHS England: talking therapies manual](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#ref-31)

On this page

[What is Jungian therapy?](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#what-is-jungian-therapy) [Where it comes from](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#where-it-comes-from) [Key ideas](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#key-ideas) [How it works](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#how-it-works) [What sessions look like](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#what-sessions-look-like) [How it differs from psychodynamic therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#how-it-differs-from-psychodynamic-therapy) [Who it may suit](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#who-it-may-suit) [Finding a Jungian therapist](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#finding-a-jungian-therapist) [The evidence](https://viacara.com/approaches/jungian-therapy/#the-evidence)

Related

[Psychodynamic Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/psychodynamic/) [Psychoanalytic Therapy and Psychoanalysis](https://viacara.com/approaches/psychoanalytic-therapy/) [Existential Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/existential-therapy/) [Transpersonal Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/transpersonal-therapy/) [Relational Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/relational-therapy/) [Understanding Different Approaches](https://viacara.com/guides/understanding-approaches/)

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## References

1. British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (n.d.). *Types of therapy: an A to Z of therapeutic approaches*. [bacp.co.uk](https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/types-of-therapy/)
2. Society of Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *Analytical psychology: an overview*. [thesap.org.uk](https://www.thesap.org.uk/articles-on-jungian-psychology-2/about-analysis-and-therapy/analytical-psychology/)
3. UK Council for Psychotherapy (n.d.). *Psychotherapy approaches*. [psychotherapy.org.uk](https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/psychotherapy-training/psychotherapy-approaches/)
4. Society of Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *About Carl Jung*. [thesap.org.uk](https://www.thesap.org.uk/articles-on-jungian-psychology-2/carl-gustav-jung/)
5. Society of Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *Michael Fordham*. [thesap.org.uk](https://www.thesap.org.uk/articles-on-jungian-psychology-2/michael-fordham/)
6. Hogenson, G., International Association for Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *Analytical psychology*. [iaap.org](https://iaap.org/jung-analytical-psychology/analytical-psychology/)
7. Perry, C., Society of Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *The Jungian shadow*. [thesap.org.uk](https://www.thesap.org.uk/articles-on-jungian-psychology-2/about-analysis-and-therapy/the-shadow/)
8. Hopwood, A., Society of Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *Jung's model of the psyche*. [thesap.org.uk](https://www.thesap.org.uk/articles-on-jungian-psychology-2/carl-gustav-jung/jungs-model-psyche/)
9. Schmidt, M., Society of Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *Individuation and the Self*. [thesap.org.uk](https://www.thesap.org.uk/articles-on-jungian-psychology-2/about-analysis-and-therapy/individuation/)
10. Kast, V., International Association for Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *Symbol*. [iaap.org](https://iaap.org/jung-analytical-psychology/short-articles-on-analytical-psychology/symbol-2/)
11. Soubrouillard, B., International Association for Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *Image*. [iaap.org](https://iaap.org/jung-analytical-psychology/short-articles-on-analytical-psychology/image/)
12. Society of Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *About Jungian analysis and psychotherapy*. [thesap.org.uk](https://www.thesap.org.uk/articles-on-jungian-psychology-2/about-analysis-and-therapy/)
13. Society of Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *Analysis and the couch, and psychotherapy*. [thesap.org.uk](https://www.thesap.org.uk/sap-clinic/analysis-the-couch-and-psychotherapy/)
14. Society of Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *What happens in analysis and psychotherapy?*. [thesap.org.uk](https://www.thesap.org.uk/sap-clinic/what-happens-in-analysis/)
15. Society of Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *The SAP clinic*. [thesap.org.uk](https://www.thesap.org.uk/sap-clinic/)
16. The Guild of Analytical Psychologists (n.d.). *About us*. [analyticalpsychology.org](https://analyticalpsychology.org/about-us/)
17. British Psychoanalytic Council (n.d.). *Our member institutions*. [bpc.org.uk](https://www.bpc.org.uk/about-us/our-people/member-institutions/)
18. UK Council for Psychotherapy (n.d.). *Council for Psychoanalysis and Jungian Analysis College*. [psychotherapy.org.uk](https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/about-ukcp/how-we-are-structured/ukcp-colleges/council-for-psychoanalysis-and-jungian-analysis-college-cpja)
19. British Psychoanalytic Council (n.d.). *Regulation*. [bpc.org.uk](https://www.bpc.org.uk/regulation/)
20. Professional Standards Authority (n.d.). *UK Council for Psychotherapy*. [professionalstandards.org.uk](https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/organisations-we-oversee/find-a-register/uk-council-psychotherapy)
21. Lally, C. & Naulls, S. (2025). *Regulation of psychological professionals in mental health care*. Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. [doi:10.58248/RR85](https://doi.org/10.58248/RR85)
22. NHS (2025). *Talking therapies*. [nhs.uk](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/talking-therapies/)
23. British Psychotherapy Foundation (n.d.). *Jungian analytic training with BJAA*. [britishpsychotherapyfoundation.org.uk](https://www.britishpsychotherapyfoundation.org.uk/education/training/bjaa-jungian-analytic/)
24. Roesler, C. (2013). *Evidence for the effectiveness of Jungian psychotherapy: a review of empirical studies*. Behavioral Sciences. [doi:10.3390/bs3040562](https://doi.org/10.3390/bs3040562)
25. Roesler, C. & Reefschläger, G. I. (2022). *Jungian psychotherapy, spirituality, and synchronicity: theory, applications, and evidence base*. Psychotherapy. [doi:10.1037/pst0000402](https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000402)
26. Roesler, C., Schörry-Volk, E., Müller, A., Zikpi, E. D., Keller, W. & Kayacan, M. (2025). *Effectiveness of Jungian psychotherapy in supervised training settings*. Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome. [doi:10.4081/ripppo.2025.869](https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2025.869)
27. International Association for Analytical Psychology (n.d.). *Member societies*. [iaap.org](https://iaap.org/about-the-iaap/member-societies/)
28. Roesler, C. (2019). *Sandplay therapy: an overview of theory, applications and evidence base*. The Arts in Psychotherapy. [doi:10.1016/j.aip.2019.04.001](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2019.04.001)
29. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2022). *Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222)*. [nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng222/chapter/Recommendations)
30. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2020). *Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: management (CG113)*. [nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg113/chapter/Recommendations)
31. NHS England (2024). *NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression manual, version 7*. [england.nhs.uk (PDF)](https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nhs-talking-therapies-manual-v7.1-updated.pdf)

## Related

### [Psychodynamic Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/psychodynamic/)

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### [Psychoanalytic Therapy and Psychoanalysis](https://viacara.com/approaches/psychoanalytic-therapy/)

Learn how psychoanalytic therapy and psychoanalysis work, how they differ from psychodynamic therapy and what the research does and does not show.

### [Existential Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/existential-therapy/)

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### [Transpersonal Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/transpersonal-therapy/)

Learn how transpersonal therapy makes room for spiritual experience and meaning, including psychosynthesis and core process psychotherapy.

### [Relational Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/relational-therapy/)

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### [Understanding Different Approaches](https://viacara.com/guides/understanding-approaches/)

A plain-English guide to the main therapeutic approaches including CBT, person-centred therapy, psychodynamic and integrative methods.