WTF is Depth Psychology? A Guide to Your Inner Weirdness

Let’s cut to the chase: Depth psychology is basically about the fact that a lot of what drives you is happening under the surface - and you don’t even know it. Think of it like an iceberg. Your conscious mind, the part you’re aware of, is the tip of that iceberg. You’re floating along in life, thinking you know yourself pretty well, but guess what? There’s a whole chunk of you hidden underwater, just waiting to mess with your plans.

Depth psychology is about diving under that water and seeing what’s down there.

The Unconscious Mind: The Ultimate Backseat Driver

So, what exactly are we talking about when we say “depth psychology”? At its core, it’s the study of the unconscious mind - the stuff you don’t know is influencing you. Maybe you’re wondering why you keep dating people who are bad for you, or why you feel anxious whenever you get close to success. It’s not random. Those patterns have roots deep in your unconscious, shaped by things like childhood experiences, unhealed trauma, and a whole bunch of stuff you’ve probably been ignoring.

Carl Jung, one of the OGs of depth psychology, thought that the unconscious is not just some random junk drawer in your mind. It’s where your core beliefs, fears, and desires live. Oh, and there’s more - he also believed in the collective unconscious, which is like a mental storage unit filled with the shared experiences of all humanity. Ever wonder why certain stories, like the hero’s journey, pop up in every culture? It’s because we’ve all got these archetypes - universal symbols and patterns - floating around in our unconscious.

But Wait, There’s Spirituality in Depth Psychology, Too

Here’s where things get even more interesting (and a little mystical). Depth psychology isn’t just about analysing your dreams or figuring out why your ex still haunts you. There’s a spiritual side to it. The deeper you go, the more you realise that your unconscious mind is connected to something bigger - something cosmic, if you will.

Jung believed that by exploring the unconscious, we aren’t just healing ourselves; we’re connecting with something greater. Call it the divine, call it the universe, call it whatever you want - but the point is, depth psychology takes us beyond just the personal. It’s about discovering the deeper, spiritual currents that run through all of us.

This is why practices like meditation and breathwork fit so naturally with depth psychology. These practices help calm the conscious mind and give you access to those deeper layers of the psyche, where both your personal issues and the universal stuff live.

Enter Holotropic Breathwork: Your Guided Tour of the Unconscious

Speaking of breathwork, let’s talk about how it fits into all this. You’ve probably heard of Holotropic Breathwork, which is basically a fancy way of saying you breathe really deeply, get light-headed, and tap into non-ordinary states of consciousness. Think of it as a shortcut into the deeper parts of your mind without needing to sit on a therapist’s couch for 10 years.

Stan Grof, the dude behind Holotropic Breathwork, took the ideas of depth psychology and applied them to breathwork. He figured out that when we alter our breathing, we can bypass the conscious mind and go straight into the unconscious. This is where things can get wild. People who practise Holotropic Breathwork often describe experiencing intense emotions, visions, or even past life memories (if you’re into that kind of thing).

But it’s not just about trippy experiences - it’s about healing. By bringing these unconscious patterns, memories, or whatever else you find in there, to the surface, you can process them and start letting go of what’s been holding you back. It’s like taking out the mental rubbish.

Depth Psychology: Your Soul’s GPS

Here’s the thing: depth psychology isn’t just about understanding yourself better. It’s about personal transformation. Once you start getting in touch with the deeper parts of your psyche, you begin to integrate those lost or hidden parts of yourself. This process is called individuation, which is a fancy way of saying you become the person you were always meant to be.

And remember how we talked about that whole “spiritual” side of things? Yeah, that’s a big deal. Depth psychology recognises that becoming whole isn’t just about figuring out your childhood issues (though that’s important). It’s about connecting to something larger. The more you dive into the depths, the more you realise that your journey isn’t just about you - it’s about tapping into universal patterns that have been around for millennia.

Wrapping It Up: Why Should You Care About Depth Psychology?

So, why should you give a damn about any of this? Because depth psychology isn’t just academic mumbo-jumbo. It’s a practical way to understand why you do the things you do, and more importantly, how to change the stuff that’s not working for you.

And when you pair it with practices like breathwork, you’re not just thinking your way through problems - you’re feeling your way through them. You’re tapping into that unconscious, healing those deep wounds, and maybe even connecting with something bigger than yourself along the way.

In other words: depth psychology helps you stop being a passenger in your own life. It’s the key to becoming the driver. You just have to be willing to go deep enough.

You want more?

Curious about how breathwork can help you explore your own unconscious mind or move past emotional blocks? Reach out to me for a one-on-one coaching session or to learn more about how breathwork can transform your life. Let’s work together to tap into those deeper layers and create real, lasting change. Drop a comment below to share your experiences or subscribe to stay connected and join the conversation!