When it comes to seeking any type of analysis or therapy, there are plenty of misconceptions. Even those who believe that undergoing analysis is helpful, there may be myths that tend to persist. Here are a few of the more common examples that people who decide to seek Jungian psychoanalysis should set aside.

Analysts Provide You With Quick Answers

Perhaps the most common misconception about analysis is that the professionals who are providing the support are in the business of dispensing answers much in the way a family practitioner dispenses pills. That’s not the way the process works. Instead of handing answers to patients, analysts help patients find their own answers.

During the process, patients have the opportunity to learn more about themselves, possibly coming to realizations about their pasts and present that they had never noticed before. This journey helps them to understand what led to seeking help, and ultimately coming to understand how to cope with whatever is causing their issues.

Only People With Serious Issues Seek Analysis

Serious is a subjective term that can mean different things to different people. What appears to be a major issue for one person may be of no consequence to someone else. In general, it’s best to determine that seeking analysis is a good idea when there is anything going on that the patient feels unable to deal with alone.

The reasons for seeking help may have to do with a sudden life change, coming to terms with a long-standing issue that has never seemed to improve, help with a phobia, or even with something like a general sense of dissatisfaction with life. If it’s enough to cause problems in the patient’s life, then it’s worth undergoing analysis to identify the causes and learn how to defuse them.

The Progress in Analysis is Always Linear

It’s not unusual for Jungian psychoanalysis to encounter patients who believe that each session is supposed to move the process forward. In fact, that’s not likely to be the case every time. That’s because analysis is not like a broken leg, where the healing is constantly progressing.

There will likely be times when a lot of progress is made during a session. At other times, there may seem to be nothing happening, or things may even seem to move backwards a little. Understanding this in advance can go a long way toward not getting discouraged when the results of a session are less than what was expected.

A Few Sessions Are All That’s Needed

When it comes to analysis, there is no set number of sessions required for resolving the issue. The best way to approach the process is committing to continue the sessions for as long as necessary. It that’s a few weeks, then fine. Should it take months or longer, that’s the way things should be.

Focusing more on what is being learned and less about meeting some self-imposed time goal will be more productive. In fact, deciding that you will not be overly concerned about the duration of the analysis can often alleviate pressure and make it easier to glean more from those sessions.

Whatever is happening in your life, know that it does not have to hold you back. Consider undergoing analysis and see what happens. Things may begin to make more sense in less time than you thought possible.