Integrating The Dark and The Light:

Jungian Depth Psychology & Sex Therapy With Couples

Description

Sexology recognizes the significance of what the Murray Bowen school of psychology refers to as the differentiation of self, relationship triangles, and family projection processes within the context of couples therapy. However, there is another lens through which to explore the development of the individual within intimate dyadic dynamics and that is the depth-oriented, Jungian perspective with its concepts of individuation, relationship quadrangles, and the power of projection.

Method

A survey was conducted of the literature on couples and sex therapy from a Jungian perspective.

Results

While mention has often been made of Bowenian concepts included in couples and sex therapy, there is little discussion of Jungian concepts associated with the treatment of relationship and sexual issues. These are concepts that the authors believe contribute greatly to therapeutic understanding and intervention.

Discussion

This presentation concerns the contributions that Jungian psychology offers to sex therapy in general and Sensate Focus in particular as a vehicle for individuation. Jungian psychology suggests that the most powerful relationship for any couple is the relationship that each partner fosters between his or her own conscious and unconscious processes so as to minimize the effect of unrealistic projections onto the partner. Each partner must cultivate this relationship first before being able to have a healthy intimate relationship with another person. Sensate Focus facilitates precisely this individuation process, emphasizing each partner’s attending to his or own experience rather than focusing on the other person in order to further his or her own individual development and, only subsequently, an intimate connection with the partner.

Utility/Limitations/Risks:

This presentation will benefit sexologists by adding to our conceptual understandings of sex therapy and its multimodal approaches. There are no known limitations/risks.

Behavioral Learning Objectives:

After attending this presentation, the participants will be able to:
Identify differences and similarities between Bowenian and Jungian concepts with couples in sex therapy;
Define the concepts of Jungian psychology useful for understanding the effectiveness of sex therapy; and
Delineate the application of Jungian therapeutic techniques to sex therapy with couples.

This was a workshop presented at the SSTAR 42nd Annual Meeting “Healing Relationships and Fostering Sexual Well-being” by the Institute for Sexual & Relationship Therapy & Training  

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Constance@DrAveryClark.com

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