Analytical psychology is the theoretical foundation for Jungian analysis, a healing practice that serves the basic human need for psychological consciousness and growth. The C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco was founded to advance a viewpoint vital to the conscious, ethical practice, and utilization of analytical psychology and to disseminate knowledge central to that end.

The Institute trains psychotherapists to become Jungian analysts and maintains a collegial society to provide continuing education and ethical review for member analysts. It offers education and information to other professionals and the general public and promotes research about Jungian analysis and psychotherapy. It maintains the Virginia Allan Detloff Library and the Archive for Research in Archetypal Symbolism (ARAS) as educational resources. Through the James Goodrich Whitney Center For Psychotherapy, Jungian psychotherapy is provided on a sliding-scale basis.

The Institute recognizes that the potential of wholeness and individuation depends on psychological development that in turn is supported or hampered by collective attitudes and laws. With this understanding, the C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco supports in principle efforts that promote universal human rights.