How to Become a Jungian Analyst

Getting an Education and License

Earn a high school diploma or GED if you don’t have one already. If you’re still in high school, take electives in psychology or sociology so you understand the field of study more. Be sure to participate during discussions and in-class work so you earn the best grades. If you didn’t graduate from high school, look for a GED program in your area so you can earn your equivalency diploma. Opt for advanced placement courses if they’re available at your school to potentially earn college credits. If you work a regular job, check for GED courses at night so you can continue working while getting an education. Speech classes can also help improve your communication skills.

Get a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Apply to a university that offers a degree in psychology so you’re able to continue learning. Take all of the required coursework for the major, which may include family therapy, behavioral science, and social psychology. Be sure to take notes and pay close attention during your lectures and classes so you can do well throughout college. See if your college has any professional groups or clubs based around psychology so you can get involved with others that have similar career interests. Don’t forget to set aside some time to hang out with friends and relax so you don’t get too stressed. Just make sure you have enough time to complete your homework.Tip: Talk to your professors about your interest in Jungian analysis since they may be able to provide you with additional resources to help you learn more.

Attend a master’s program in psychology to further your education. Choose a school that offers a 2-year master’s degree and fill out the application. While you’re earning your master’s, look for analytical psychology or dream interpretation courses since they’ll be helpful to your training. Set aside time to study and complete your homework so you can earn the best grades since further education can be much more competitive. The coursework you need to take depends on the master’s program you choose.

Apply for a psychotherapy doctorate program at an accredited university. Look up universities that offer a 4- to 5-year program in psychotherapy, which is used to treat mental disorders through psychology rather than medicine. For the first 2–3 years, take any courses or clinical training labs required by the program. During the last few years, work with clients and patients under a licensed professional’s supervision so you can start practicing. Most Jungian analyst programs require a doctorate, but you may be able to apply to some if you only have your master’s.

Take the licensure exam for your state to become a certified psychologist. Usually, you need to practice psychology professionally before you’re able to attend a Jungian analysis program. Sign up for the psychology licensure exam specifically for your state and pay any fees owed from the application. Schedule your exam at one of the test centers closest to you within 90 days of paying your fees. Purchase an Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) study guide and read through it so you know what to expect. Take the test and earn 70% or higher in order to pass. You can find your nearest exam center here: https://wsr.pearsonvue.com/testtaker/registration/SelectTestCenterProximity/ASPPB?conversationId=1919659. Your exam usually consists of 225 multiple-choice questions covering behavioral psychology, treatment, and patient assessment over a 4-hour period. Examination fees vary depending on your location.

Earning Certification as a Jungian Analyst

Apply for a training program accredited by the IAAP. Check online for Jungian analysis programs in the area where you’re licensed and ensure they’ve been certified by the International Association of Analytical Psychology (IAAP). Check the admissions requirements for the program to make sure you meet the qualifications before submitting an application. Submit any information or letters of recommendation the program requires. If you’re accepted based on your application, you may have to interview with the program to see if you’re a good fit. Typically, Jungian analysis programs will cost you around $2,000–4,000 USD per year and they last about 4–6 years. There are several training institutes in large cities all over the world.

Go through personal analysis with a licensed analyst throughout your studies. While you’re getting certified, work directly with a licensed Jungian analyst so you can evaluate yourself. Attend 2–3 sessions with the analyst each week and complete any work they want you to do. Open up to the analyst and communicate freely with them so they’re able to assess you better. Getting evaluated by a Jungian analyst helps you get a better understanding of your own emotions so you can separate your unconscious thoughts from those of your patients.

Attend classes about Jung’s work during the first 2–3 years. During your first few years, go to the scheduled classes and lectures so you’re able to learn more about the work Jung has done. Read all of the material you’re given and complete all of your assignments to the best of your ability so you can absorb the most information. The classes tend to run on nights or weekends so they won’t interfere with your regular work schedule. Take notes frequently since you’ll retain more information if you write it down yourself.

Complete the oral or written Propaedeutic exams. Usually, you may start taking the Propaedeutic, or preparatory, exams in the spring or fall after being in your program for 2 years. Talk to the review committee where you’re studying to see if they think you’re ready to take the exams. If they approve you for the examination, then look over Jung’s writings on analytical psychology and how to interpret dreams to study. During the exams, whether oral or written, explain your answers with evidence from Jung’s work to show that you understand how to apply analytical psychology to a clinical case. Your exam usually consists of 5–7 individual tests about your knowledge of Jungian psychology, dream interpretation, and the human psyche. Typically, you will receive an open-book written exam a few weeks before your final test date so you have time to research and write your answers. If you do not pass the exam, you will have to retake it the following year.

Practice consulting with patients while being supervised for 2–3 years. After completing your Propaedeuticum exams, your program will assign you 1–2 patients to work with. Hold sessions with the patients while under the supervision of a certified Jungian analyst. Hold open communication with the patients during the sessions, and discuss how they went with your supervisor when you’re finished. Continue seeing the patients 2–3 times weekly throughout the remainder of the program. You may also need to attend seminars or lectures during the last half of the program, but they won’t be as frequent as the first half.

Complete any final theses or exams required by your program to earn certification. Depending on the program you chose, you may need to write multiple papers on case analysis or Jungian psychology. You may also need to take a written final exam. Research for papers with scholarly sources so you have accurate information. Go over any notes or study guides for the exams so you can do your best when you take them. Once you pass the program, you can include the abbreviation IAAP after your title to signify that you’re a part of the association and a certified Jungian analyst. Check with your individual program to see the final certification requirements since they can vary. The lengths of your theses depend on the program you chose, but you will usually need to write over 40 pages.

Developing Interpersonal Skills

Practice active listening so you can connect with other people. Whenever someone speaks to you, give them your full attention and try to get rid of any distractions. Maintain eye contact with them while they speak and avoid interrupting them. Pay attention to what they’re saying rather than thinking about what you’re going to say next so you’re able to respond more thoughtfully. As a Jungian analyst, you will have to work with many patients from different backgrounds, so listening to them carefully will help improve the quality of each session. Try mimicking the other person’s body language or nodding as they speak to make it look like you’re more engaged with them. Avoid being judgmental of what another person says because you shouldn’t have any bias as a Jungian analyst.

Communicate with others clearly to improve your conversation skills. Think about what you’re going to say for a few moments before speaking to help you have a more meaningful conversation. Be articulate with your words so you’re easy to understand without the other person getting confused. If you’re confused by something another person said, ask questions about it so you’re able to get a better understanding of what they meant. You will have to discuss difficult topics as a Jungian analyst to help get to the root of what’s causing your patient emotional distress. Ask the other person if they understand what you’re saying if they seem confused so you have an opportunity to explain yourself better. For example, you could ask, “Does that make sense, or do you need more clarification?”

Show compassion toward other people to empathize with them. As you talk and work with other people, try to imagine you’ve gone through the same experience to help you understand their feelings more. Actively tell the other person that you care for them and that you’re there to listen to them if they need to talk through anything. Even if you can’t fully comprehend their feelings, try to be available to them and be sympathetic for them. Patients need to feel comfortable discussing difficult topics with you, so caring for them will make them feel like they can open up to you easier.Tip: Practice being compassionate by performing random acts of kindness throughout your day. Try helping a stranger or paying for someone else’s coffee at a cafe.

Pay attention to body language so you can learn how to read people. Look at how people present themselves while you’re talking to them or when they speak. Try to notice common signs that they’re uncomfortable, such as fidgeting frequently, breaking eye contact, or crossing their arms. As you start learning more about the individual and their body language, you may be able to assume how they’re feeling so you know what the other person feels comfortable discussing. You will have to pay attention to your patients’ body cues to determine topics that confuse them or make them feel uncomfortable.

See a Jungian analyst regularly to have yourself evaluated. Look for a Jungian analyst in your area and schedule regular appointments with them to discuss your own emotional stress. Be open with the analyst and try any practices they recommend using, such as keeping a dream journal or reframing negative thoughts so you see the positives. As you work with the analyst, you’ll also get a better understanding of how they work with patients. Many certification programs require you to be analyzed for at least 100 hours total, but some programs may require you to go more frequently. If you don’t have any Jungian analysts in your area, you may be able to have video chat sessions online.