Up: [[Analysis]] Created: 2023-10-21 Updated: 2025-06-16 Some therapies are all about supporting and building up the [[Ego]]. Analysis does that as well, but for the specific purpose of rendering the ego strong enough and resilient enough that it will be capable of accepting, welcoming and eventually integrating the powerful forces of the unconscious. This acceptance and integration is essential to the process of [[Individuation]]. A strong ego allows [[shadow]] content and brings it into therapy where it can be worked with. A weak ego rejects whatever is uncomfortable by repressing, denying, or blaming others. The problem is that rejected contents don’t disappear. They force their way to the surface through physical symptoms, in our dreams, and in patterns of behaviour that don’t serve us. Analysts know, through your dream images, how your ego is doing and they are brilliant at adjusting the therapy to what you are individually ready for. They accurately gauge the degree of overwhelm that is being experienced and what can be tolerated, giving helpful advice such as [[How to Handle Flooding]]. It’s much riskier trying to open to unconscious contents on your own through the use of psychedelics. If doing so from the position of a weak ego, you can be pushed into psychosis. See [[The Difference Between Neurosis and Psychosis]]. Jung believed that many psychoses, and particularly schizophrenia, were the result of an ego too weak to resist the onslaught of unconscious contents. So a strong ego is absolutely essential in therapy. The goal isn’t to get rid of it, but rather to move it from it’s chosen position as the be-all-and-end-all of our personal universe. ### Signs of a Strong and Resilient Ego [[Alyssa Polizzi]], the author of a Substack called *The Artemisian*, has an [excellent list](https://www.theartemisian.com/p/ego-should-be-strengthened) - Increased capacity to experience, hold and explore a fuller spectrum of emotions, sensations, thoughts, and images. - A sense of objectivity that gives perspective, pause and time to reflect before action. - Greater awareness of bodily sensations and the emotions/meaning they carry. - Acceptance of feedback, criticism or challenging truths with composure and less reactivity. - Ability to self-regulate by calming the nervous system and moving through (rather than avoiding) overwhelming experiences. - Heightened sensitivity to the expressions of the unconscious, such as dreams, intuitions, or synchronicities, with openness to integrate their insights