Yes, there is a concept of relational unconscious in psychology, which refers to the unconscious processes that are related to our relationships with others.
The idea of relational unconscious was first introduced by psychoanalyst and psychologist, Stephen Mitchell. Mitchell argued that the traditional psychoanalytic view of the unconscious as a repository of repressed wishes and desires was incomplete. He believed that the unconscious was not only made up of individual experiences and desires, but also shaped by our interactions and relationships with others.
According to the concept of relational unconscious, our unconscious mental processes are not just determined by our personal experiences and individual psychological makeup, but are also shaped by our relationships with others, particularly our attachment figures. Our early relationships and experiences with our primary caregivers, for example, can have a significant impact on our unconscious mental processes and our ways of relating to others throughout our lives.
The idea of the relational unconscious has gained traction in the field of psychotherapy, particularly in relational psychoanalysis and other forms of psychodynamic therapy. It suggests that understanding and working with the relational unconscious can be an important part of the therapeutic process.
