What is Depth Psychology?

Depth psychology is an approach to understanding the human psyche that explores not only what we consciously know about ourselves, but also the unconscious forces shaping our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The word “depth” points to this deeper layer—the hidden patterns, memories, and archetypal symbols that live beneath the surface of our everyday awareness.

The tradition of depth psychology grew out of the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, who were among the first to study the unconscious mind systematically. Freud emphasized dreams, slips of the tongue, and the role of early childhood experiences, while Jung expanded the field with his concepts of the collective unconscious, archetypes, and individuation—the lifelong process of becoming more whole.

Over time, many others contributed to and reshaped the field. Alfred Adler emphasized social belonging and the drive to overcome feelings of inferiority. Otto Rank explored birth trauma and creativity. Erich Neumann extended Jung’s work on archetypes and myth, especially around the feminine. Later thinkers such as James Hillman, the founder of archetypal psychology, invited us to see psyche as richly imaginal and symbolic, while Marion Woodman focused on embodiment, addiction, and the feminine in psychological healing.

Depth psychology is distinct from approaches that focus primarily on symptom reduction. Instead, it views symptoms as meaningful messengers—signals from the psyche pointing toward something that needs attention or transformation. For example, anxiety may hold unrecognized grief, or depression may conceal a call toward deeper purpose. Dreams, creative expression, relationships, and inner conflicts are all seen as doorways into understanding the unconscious.

Working with a depth-oriented therapist means slowing down, listening closely, and exploring what lies beneath the obvious. The goal is not just to “fix” problems but to cultivate greater self-understanding, authenticity, and wholeness. Depth psychology honors the complexity of the human spirit and invites us into a lifelong dialogue with the unconscious—one that can be healing, creative, and profoundly transformative.

Book a Session with me