In this brief note, which is far from exhaustive and systematic, I examine contemporary Western psychology [and psychiatry]. Psychology grew out of the need to come to terms with the disorientation and suffering of the Modern and now Post-Modern psyches. Outside of Jung’s psychology of individuation, and presently some transpersonal psychologies, the Western solution for psychological self-realization consists of a wide array of approaches that do not include spiritual realization. I differentiate Jung’s, Freud’s and Adler’s approach to psychology. I then give a cursory examination of Arthur Janov, Rollo May, and Cognitive Behavioural psychology, as well as the psychology of couples therapy promoted by Harville Hendrix and John and Julie Gotman. I also briefly discuss the schools of antipsychiatry of R. D. Lang and the approach taken by Stanislav Grof for treating severe psychiatric disorders.
