Jungian Approach to Art Psychotherapy
Art therapy is a professional field that combines the expertise of art and psychotherapy in a particular medium which serves to address psychological problems and needs. It is a method that is therapeutically inclined and intended to apply to everyone equally (Swanfoster.com, 2017). In the field of art psychotherapy, the components of art are used to express a person’s emotions and imagination with purpose, coercion, impulsiveness as well rejection. The art components are very well integrated within a treatment or clinical analysis to gauge the silent, deep, and discreet aspects of the inner self. Outside the therapy session, the art materials are employed to bring back the imagination into the therapy, for the purpose of analyzing the art drawn. Art psychotherapy is an efficient tool to visually know, discover, record as well translate the description of one’s experience (Kim et al., 2006). It is also helpful in gradually tracking the hidden emotions, beliefs as well reminiscences at that particular time or a period of time. This paper intends to explore the art of psychotherapy as formulated by Carl Jung, and also the analysis of his theory presented in assessing a person’s psychology with the help of various tools.
Jungian therapy, also known as Jungian analysis, is referred to as a psychoanalytic method formulated by the famous psychotherapist, Carl Gustav Jung (Jung, 1971). Carl Jung is popularly known as the founder of analytical psychology. He was of the view that conveying one’s religious views was an indication of his mind’s chasing for a stable condition of consciousness and unconsciousness simultaneously. Jung worked for many years with Sigmund Freud and together they were known as the founders of modern depth psychology, especially of the unconscious mind (Gaillard, 2010). However, they deferred in certain views, which led them to part ways. Jung was of the view that everyone possessed the collective unconsciousness of the mind. This theory was based on the particular models and patterns that govern the way people interpret psychic images. It is evident from our past legacy that there is a correlation between the study of our cultures, mythology, and dreams (Rowland, 2014). Jung opined that every individual attempts to attain completeness by attaining a balance between the conscious and unconscious mind, which is only possible through the study of dreams.
From the early days, Carl Jung was very interested in images and dreams. He would resort to secret symbolic figures to fight with stress and personal isolation. Art was the central theme in Jung’s life. He projected the medium of art as the outer expression of inner turmoil and resorted to it at times of personal turmoil to gain an understanding of his problems and heal himself. The personal experience of healing himself with the help of spontaneous art forms and images, initiated Jung to ask his patients to draw symbols and images from their unconscious representing their dreams and fantasies. Jung makes his patients draw random figures from their unconscious minds to express what they visualize in their dreams (Jung, 1971). They are not made to talk about it but are made to do a deliberate act to give it a visual form.
Art has no suggestion in the world of the psyche when viewed in isolation. Jung compared it to nature in psychotherapy, which is simply existent the way it is (Jung, 1971). However, when art gets mixed with creativity, it creates a phenomenon. Similarly, when art arises from the internal senses of human beings, it suggests an extremely crucial aspect of the human personality. These senses delve much deeper into the psyche of the human mind, which is hidden from others and even the person himself, which is referred to as unconsciousness. (High Existence, 2017) however, Jung opines that the artistic expression of human beings of their deep hidden feelings is not a mere act of their unconsciousness, but can also arise from the deliberate effort of the consciousness. This state is achieved when a cautious approach is focused towards a particular direction wherein the person is in complete sync with his or her artistic expression. The creative impulse that is exhibited in the expression of unconsciousness is linked to the inclusion of symbols essayed in the art drawn (Jung and De Laszlo, 1993). Symbols communicate mysterious and hidden aspects of the person’s psyche. They often belong to ancient mythology, which has a profound impact on the people’s minds. Syncing the conscious with unconsciousness requires extracting the images from the collective unconscious and deriving the symbols inherent in the memories of the ancient religious or mythological resources.
Jung’s Art Psychotherapy Concepts
Art Form: Creation of the World, Artist: Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz (Soulspelunker.com, 2014)
Archetypal Psychology is considered one of the tools to discover unconscious intentions. Jung found out how the past cultures, idols, and values were impacting the patient’s own perception of themselves. As per this theory, an individual’s fantasies and emotions are conjoined with their faith and this often leads to influence the way they conduct, think, and feel. The archetype represents a person’s entire life experiences and governs the choices consisting of conscious as well an unconscious an individual opts for. Archetypal psychology emphasizes the inner self of an individual and Jung discovered the common factor between the style and mannerisms of mythological heroes and the attributes that motivate humans (Waude, 2016). In modern times, archetypal therapists view the standards set by legends as a great measure of the evolvement of an individual’s psychological structure.
One of the popular psychotherapy models formulated by Carl Jung is active imagination. As per this concept, the distance between unconsciousness and consciousness is travelled with the help of imagination, fantasy, dreams, and meditation. The person is then made to concentrate on the drawing made out of his dreams and fantasies. Active imagination, as the name suggests, demands a dynamic and thoughtful focus on the imagination of the person. Using this tool, a person is able to get the unconscious mind to the present with the help of a narrative or action (Jung, 1966). This concept is based on the person’s wandering thought by imagining or dreaming a picture not thought as their desire. The Jungian methodology of art psychotherapy engaging active imagination is the knowledge of the information, location, color, and materials, and the method also motivates a dynamic involvement in the deep insights of an evolving image.
Jung’s collective unconscious theory is used as a medium to explain the description of the unconscious that is exhibited by each and every individual (Jung, 1966). The collective unconscious maintains a library of all the experiences of the human being, which is not included in the personal memory or consciousness of the person’s mind. Jung was of the opinion that the collective unconscious is distinctly inherited and attributed to a person, apart from the outcome of particular actions. This theory contains mental pictures that are unable to be described from past experiences, but are only present as a repercussion for the ever-changing environment. Jung’s notion of the ‘collective unconscious’ associate’s images with faith, stories, alchemy, as well the arts. With the help of this theory, he explains a standard and representative and happenings linked to a collective source. As per Jung, the communication of collective unconsciousness is done with the help of the individual unconscious, which in turn is done through images. Jung considered the common archetypes as existent in most cultures, as well as crucial occasions, and are carried into the next generation through inheritance or as symbolic representation.
Applied psychoanalysis is the application of the existing knowledge of art to the patient’s diagnosis, without asking his or her opinion or thoughts. It is often termed as “as a secondary, derivative, even dubious procedure” (AH, 1998). Psychoanalysis, on the other hand, is the continuous ever-changing model of proposals and theories, which is applied in both clinical and outside surroundings. However, Jung’s approach to art psychotherapy is very different. Rather than assuming on the basis of the already formulated theories and framework of psychoanalysis, Jung preferred to pause and think and imagine whatever thoughts that come to his mind. This stage of art therapy is termed by his as “to let happen”. It is also known as “letting oneself be impressed”, which is to let the imagination happen in front of one and to make provisions for the same. Further, it requires one to exploit one’s vision and consciousness for the visuals, images, and emotions that one experiences in the mind and to let those come alive in the art form.
Art therapy is a medium used to link the unconsciousness of a person to his conscious mind (Rowland, 2014). A patient undergone trauma and pain in the past will be able to discover his hidden memories and emotions by expressing himself artistically. The theory of Individuation, as formulated by Carl Jung, is associated with the concept of art therapy as well. Individuation refers to the process of integrating the unconscious psyche into the conscious with the help of dreams and imagination. Through the process of individuation, a person is able to reach the state where he or she intends to be and collaborates the previous good or bad experiences in a manner by which the person can lead a fit, fruitful, and emotionally balanced life (Jung, 1966). This theory lets a person differentiate himself from others. Individuation is achieved through various methodologies such as interpreting their dream and active imagination and makes a person grow up an overall healthy and peaceful person. Thus, art therapy is often seen as a medium for the creative and imaginative release of the patient and is employed to encourage soothing and calmness inside his psyche. This state is achieved by assimilating the patient’s mental as well as physical being and soul into a rational cohesion.
Mandalas
Art form: Mandala, Artist: Carl Jung, Source: Jung’s Red Book
Another form that Jung used quite often in his art psychotherapy was ‘Mandala’. The word Mandala is derived from Sanskrit meaning “magic sacred circle”. Mandalas exist everywhere in nature as well as the surroundings, and cannot be limited to just revolve around living beings. It is omnipresent in the universe and represents life the way we perceive it. Nevertheless, the Mandala is symbolic of the greater environment and universe which surpasses our consciousness. Jung regarded the Mandala as the symbol of unconsciousness and had faith in its capability to recognize psychological conflicts. By tracing the mandala on paper, an individual can make an effort to complete his personality and think about those facets of his personality that he wants to focus upon. The entire process of drawing a mandala is relaxing and representative. The form and colors used in creating a mandala will mirror the inner state of the creator. His instincts and emotions will motivate and direct him through the act of creating the mandala. Eventually, the person will be making a reflection of his own self when creating the mandala. Thus, whatever turmoil or experiences the person is going through will be depicted in the mandala art. (van der Vennet and Serice, 2012). Jung opined that drawing a mandala is not the end result of the art psychotherapy but it’s a journey. When one accomplishes their goal, it is symbolism of something significant and private.
Jung stated that the Mandala and its circle form have a calming and healing effect on the patients. It is often employed in art therapy as a tool for self-reflection, and conflict resolution and to work as a psychotherapeutic method in various scenarios. Jung researched upon Mandala and found that it was prevalent in almost all cultures. He also found that Mandala appeared in most of his patients’ dreams and the drawings made to represent them. Hence, he called it “a representation of the unconscious self”, which can work as the basis or foundation of self-reflection on the patients’ inner soul (Slegelis, 1987). The Mandala can be said to possess a representation within itself, which facilitates healing and helps to bridge the gap between the unconscious and conscious. It provides with a precise model and an outline for imagination, which has no start and finish. It is said to have a retrospective effect and is also progressive in its approach. Thus, it is able to integrate a standard framework that reflects upon a complete persona, internal emotions, and religious views. Jung taught his patients to interpret the meaning of the symbols in the mandala drawn to be able to heal themselves and be less dependent upon their therapists.
Criticism
Jungian theory of art psychotherapy is often criticized for having too much emphasis on spirituality and is accused of lacking logic. The universal application of the symbols is challenged to emphasize more upon their narrative/drama. Jung has always followed the interpretation of symbols and connected the same with his religious views, and thinks that his patients will do the same as well. However, this attribute of Jungian art psychotherapy is set to reach only a percentage of the population who are affluent, rich, educated, and well-placed in life and those who are considered the normal public. However, this therapy will be less understood by the masses and their intellectuals. Another criticism of Jung’s art therapy is that it sees the process of deducing the imagination and correlating it with a religious view without any image of God (Vitz, 1994). Further, it also differentiates between good and bad as the opposite side of the same thing. Though he spoke of the dark side of the mind, he regarded the same bad aspect of the unconsciousness for evolving and growing up.
Conclusion
To conclude, art therapy is a specialised field wherein art and psychotherapy address the psychological needs of the patient. Carl Gustav Jung took the study of art therapy to another level by formulating the psychoanalytic method. Jung stated that every person has a conscious and unconscious psyche. The psychotherapy in its process, interprets the images drawn by the patient. One of the concepts of art psychotherapy is Archetypal Psychology, which finds out the unconscious motives or intentions. With this tool, the therapist discovers how past cultures, idols, and values influence the patient’s own perception of themselves. The religion of a person has a profound impact on an individual’s fantasies and emotions and leads influences the patient’s behaviour, thoughts, and emotions. Another popular concept of art psychotherapy is active imagination. With the help of active imagination, a person is able to bridge the gap between unconsciousness and consciousness by employing the tools of imagination, fantasy, dreams, and meditation. Jung’s collective unconscious theory is used as a medium to explain the description of the unconscious that is exhibited by each and every individual. It stores all the past experiences of the human being, which is not present in its conscious psyche. Jung’s psychotherapy gives a lot of emphasis on taking a pause and thinking and imagining the thoughts that come to one’s mind. This process is called “to let happen”. It allows a person to exploit his or her thoughts and imagination, and let it come alive on paper, in the form of drawing. Art psychotherapy connects the unconsciousness of a person to his conscious psyche. The hidden memories and emotions of a person can be explored with the help of this method. Carl Jung’s theory of Individuation is the process of combining the unconscious with the conscious using dreams and imagination. This theory helps the person to reach the state where he or she intends to be. Art psychotherapy usually gives a release to the creative and imaginative side of a person and soothes and clams his or her psyche. It assimilates the patient’s psychic as well as physical being and soul into a rational cohesion. Jung opined that Mandala represents unconsciousness and is capable of identifying psychological conflicts. Tracing a mandala would enable a person to complete his personality and have a calming and healing effect. It is often employed in art therapy as a tool for self-reflection, and conflict resolution and to work as a psychotherapeutic method in various scenarios. In spite of Jung’s success in art psychotherapy, he is often criticised for emphasizing too much spirituality and also lacking logic. Jung always interpreted symbols from a religious pint of view and assumed his patients would do the same. However, the universal application of symbols to religious interpretation may not be the same for all. Further, this aspect of the therapy is suited only to the affluent and educated people in the society, and not to the masses. Though Jung employed religious faith in his art psychotherapy, there is no mention of God in the process of deducing the imagination. Neither is there any link of religious view without any image of God while expression through drawing. Further, he considered the same bad aspect of unconsciousness for evolving and growing up, which he connects with the dark psyche.
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