How do I look at Depth psychology? Like it was something distant,far off, near the Pacific .Such a lovely name, or term, depth psychology and Pacific seem to be made for each other. Or I look at it as if it was the cherished cherry topping on an aesthetic , exquisite, tall glass filled with the fulsome 'dessert ' of post -doctoral fellowship course, of a senior respected member of the faculty of psychology.I speak from the developing world geography sheltered in what is called the subcontinent.
Depth psychology must not remain far, the psychology students need it here in the subcontinent.And that cherry topping ought to be condescendingly topping our mundane 'icecream cones' signifying our not in depth psychology courses.Why?It is because Depth psychology "professes to acknowledge the marginalized dimensions of soul".
Now like it or not the subcontinent is a department in itself, dealing with the subject of soul.There are Sufis, dancing 'dervishes ,'holders of knowledge of secrets of life, alternative medicine and Yoga, the faith healers, the realm of the spiritual communication, the exorcists, the psychics, or simply the ones with wisdom.Teeming millions are without license or degree .Many might be fake. Depth psychology will help those psychologists and para-psychologists who are interested in studying such a phenomenon;to have license, degree, and most important an universal measure to measure upto, and an authentic recognition. Also this mantle will protect the student psychologist who needs to move about in our psycho-social motley world, to gather facts for his PhD.
Depth psychology if it comes close to our universities will also help the genuine patient who does not want to be a dramatic target or a ploy of a 'fake' or charlatan,who is revered by the patient's gullible family.The patient too wants a spiritual touch, which the Depth psychologist can provide him without anything fake or doubt .There are so many communities in the sub-continent .If the communities but chose one psychotherapist to represent each(community)and arrange for his scholarship and send him to get his PhD in Depth psychology, they will benefit greatly.When he comes back to serve them and also offers to be in touch with the network of experts in community psychotherapeutic practices, he can move in with his invaluable advice to his colleague;who is stuck with his patient's therapy, over a minor issue of community ethics.This is because the Depth psychologists believe" that the study of emotional and mental processes must include consideration of cultural , historical , and environmental interactions."Also interesting is that "personal spirituality which can be expressed in psychological rather than theological language and concepts".This I believe will come in handy for treatment of those patients whose self esteem is low, who are ridden with guilt complex, who have sinned and are retracting from the religious practises because they think they will anger God if they make mistakes in religious rituals;those who think they are so vile or dirty, victims of other's physical excesses and addiction, that they mistakenly think that they are not fit for God's mercy even! For such, a psychotherapy approach through Depth psychology is the answer and the cure-till they return to the fold of their own religion pure and unscathed and fully treated.Till Depth psychology becomes a topping part of our indigenous PhD CURRICULA;a double way approach would encompass stimulating and informed lectures, between the givers of this specialty and the rest of the world.Where it is not available, they should have lots of exchange programs and exposures.Our medical graduate courses should feature lots of talks, discussion, lectures, and online participation programs in Depth psychology.So that medical students from our culture may have the spiritual strength to combat suicidal feelings and the depressed feelings of a would-be dropout.That is because poverty makes the developing world students think of themselves as failures too easily.