Shadow Work and Jungian Psychology in Contemporary Therapy: Reclaiming the Disowned Self

Shadow Work and Jungian Psychology in Contemporary Therapy: Reclaiming the Disowned Self

Sanjana S.¹, Shree Lakshmi P.²

¹School of Liberal Studies, CMR University, Bengaluru, India

²Faculty Guide, School of Liberal Studies, CMR University, Bengaluru, India

Abstract

Shadow work, rooted in Jungian analytical psychology, explores the repressed, denied, and unconscious aspects of the psyche—those disowned traits that influence our behavior, emotions, and relationships. In contemporary therapy, shadow work has gained renewed relevance as an integrative practice that bridges traditional psychoanalysis with trauma-informed care, expressive arts, and spiritual inquiry. This paper presents an in-depth literature review on the theory and application of shadow work, tracing its Jungian foundations and evolution into modern psychotherapeutic paradigms. Emphasis is placed on the role of shadow integration in trauma recovery, identity formation, collective healing, and ethical practice. The paper highlights how contemporary therapists employ varied methods—including somatic work, narrative therapy, expressive arts, and depth-oriented group modalities—to address the shadow’s complex layers. Further, it discusses the digital age’s impact on the shadow self and examines cultural critiques and ethical considerations. Ultimately, shadow work is proposed not merely as an introspective technique, but as a transformative process toward psychological wholeness, ethical accountability, and communal renewal.

Keywords: shadow work, Jungian psychology, trauma-informed therapy, identity formation, somatic integration, ethical practice.