Process-oriented psychology, also known as "process work," is a fascinating approach to personal growth and healing, developed by Arnold Mindell. Rooted in Jungian psychology and humanistic, person-centered approaches, process work views each person as a holistic system: mind, body, emotions, and spirit all play a role in shaping who we are.
One of the foundational ideas in process work is that most of what we think, feel, and do — roughly 95% — operates at a subconscious level. But even if we’re not aware of these hidden layers, they’re always trying to communicate with us. Like dreams that come to us while we sleep, our subconscious is "dreaming" in our waking lives too, often through subtle signs such as body symptoms, gestures, words, fantasies, and relationships. Even experiences that society labels as “mental health issues” — like psychosis — are seen as subconscious signals worth exploring rather than simply problems to be fixed. Process work challenges the notion that we're broken; instead, it invites us to look for what's right in these experiences, helping us find wisdom and release shame.
In process work, we each have a "primary process," which represents the parts of ourselves we're aware of and identify with. But there's also our "secondary process," often embodied by life's disturbances: chronic health issues, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship struggles, nightmares, intense emotions. These disturbances are viewed as “dream doors,” openings into the subconscious that contain valuable messages waiting to be explored.
What sets process work apart from other therapeutic models is its belief that disturbances aren’t just problems; they hold hidden insights. By engaging with these disturbances — even embodying them, like becoming the water in a dream about rivers — we ask questions like, What’s useful about this? or How can this quality help me in life? The answers are often surprising, revealing “golden nuggets” that help us make sense of our lives and move forward with greater clarity and self-awareness.
Process work is a highly interactive, even playful approach. It’s ideal for exploring dreams, integrating all parts of ourselves, and addressing challenging relationships. It brings us into direct contact with our bodies, looking at symptoms as important signals with something valuable to share. This is where process work goes beyond simply talking about change; it’s about embodying it.
Personally, process work has been transformative for me. It helped me tune into my body symptoms, like the inflammation caused by my autoimmune condition, ulcerative colitis. Through symbols, myths, and dreams, I gained a deeper sense of safety and presence in my body and in the world. I found pieces of understanding that I didn’t even realise I needed, along with a renewed sense of confidence and empowerment.
If you’re looking for a therapeutic approach that views body signals as meaningful messages and takes you on a journey of self-discovery, process work offers a uniquely powerful path forward.
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