Conscious vs Subconscious Therapy: The Difference

Anyone who's read my blogs knows that I like to get right to it rather than draw out the main points over several pages of fluff. So here's the deal. All therapists are basically trained the same way. What that means is that for the most part, we all have to take the same classes and cover all the bases.

Contained in our training is a course that covers the theories of counseling. Meaning that the approaches therapists take when working with clients are centered around these theories and these approaches. I think most people would be surprised to know that schools typically cover one theory every week and move on to the next — so if you're lucky, you probably cover the top 10 theories.

In a nutshell, these theories focus more on the here and now, what is happening in the present and how to resolve the problems.

Two Layers of Therapy

There are 2 layers to therapy: Conscious and Subconscious. 100% of all therapists do conscious layer therapy which involves talking things through. Imagine showing me your home, and showing me your bedroom, your kitchen and your living room. Subconscious is showing me your closets, the junk drawer, the attic and everything else inside that isn't in plain view.

If you're coming in for therapy to address some situational issue — say, "How can I gain the courage to leave my job?" — that's very targeted and can probably be addressed at the conscious level. But if you came in for something a little more complex like, "Why do I keep getting screwed in all my relationships?" — this is something that can probably only be addressed working with both the Conscious and the Subconscious mind. If you don't, then you are just talking about the problem... Kind of like just brushing your teeth, hoping that you are reaching everything underneath the gum line.

Look, therapy works! It really does. But it's up to the therapist to determine if your set of issues are able to be resolved through Conscious work or if this requires you to look a little deeper than just process therapy. So what are some simple ways to tell if you might benefit from a Subconscious approach?

1. Does the issue keep happening?
2. Does it get better, then go back to the way it used to be?
3. Do you KNOW what the problem is but just can't seem to change?
4. Has this problem been recurring for years?
5. Did the problem originate in childhood?

If you answered Yes to any of those questions, then you need to consider finding a therapist who works with the Subconscious mind. The great news is that The Good Center offers this!

— Antonio Medina is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with an area of expertise working with the Subconscious Mind.