Definition.
Complex psychology explores the unconscious mind, specifically the realm of psyche where our multiplicity of ‘selves, ’ or our complexes, resides. Complex psychology can be understood as a synonym for depth psychology, and is also sometimes called analytical psychology or dynamic psychiatry. The seminal figures of complex psychology are Carl Jung, Alfred Adler and Sigmund Freud.
— Robert A. Johnsonfootnote 1
The unconscious is a marvelous universe of unseen energies, forces, forms of intelligence — even distinct personalities — that live within us. It is a much larger realm than most of us realize, one that has a complete life of its own running parallel to the ordinary life we live day to day.
Historically speaking, complex psychology was the title Carl Jung preferred to describe his psychological approach. Though anecdotal accounts often suggest that the term had to do with the centrality of the personal complex in Jung’s theories, Shamdasani writes that Jung’s intention for the phrase embraced the complexity of the psychefootnote 2 rather than emphasizing the prominence of complexes within it.
Over time, analytical psychology has become the more common umbrella term for Jungian practice and theory, though depth psychology is sometimes used fairly interchangeably. Despite Jung’s preferences, complex psychology, as a term for his psychology, is little used.
A more contemporary application of the term complex psychology is offered from a practical standpoint: the term reflects a psychological approach which posits that the complex is the fundamental unit of the psyche, and is key to understanding most of the processes of the human inner life. Acknowledging that there are a number of lenses one can use to view complexes, my work focuses on the personal complex as an autonomous subpersonality in the psyche.