Explores empathy and it’s importance in cultivating compassion and deepening self-understanding. The concept of the “other” and its relationship to empathy is investigated through a story Toni Morrison shares in her book The Origin of Others.
The Function of Symbols in Trauma Transformation
Carl Jung is not generally thought of as a trauma therapist, however, his ideas and theories hold great relevance and potential relating to trauma and its treatment. I developed this 2-hour presentation to help clinicians understand some of Jung’s groundbreaking discoveries and how they apply to the trauma field. We will explore the psyche’s position in traumatic experience and how to harness the emergence of images and symbols to generate meaning, cohesion, and transformation.
Stillness & Movement
Stillness and movement are two essential forces of nature that hold great potential for physical and psychological health as well as a deepening of self-knowledge. Drawing from a quote in the Taoist book The Secret of the Golden Flower, we explore these two qualities of nature and their implications for understanding ourselves and the world.
Clear Seeing
This blog looks at the importance of perspective in shaping our experience. Two major forces of contemporary life that influence perspective are examined: social media and data. Jung’s theory of extraversion and introversion are also explored as central components informing the development of perspective and, by extension, decision making processes.
Patterns, Reflection, and Individuation
When our patterns encounter significant changes in the external environment, friction often ensues.
Patterns are a valuable map in understanding ourselves and facilitating an unfolding process of growth and individuation. Here we explore the relationship between patterns and reflection, and the potential they possess to enhance understanding and adaptation.
Cupid's Other Arrow
On Valentine’s Day this blog considers the story of Cupid and his arrows. Cupid’s lead-tipped arrows that inflict aversion and absence of feeling are explored as a metaphor for the experience of depression. Cupid’s more familiar arrows that induce love are considered as holding the potential for moving through and beyond the heaviness of depression and its symptoms.
Our Fractured Wholeness
Stranger Things and Going to the Scary Places
The show Stranger Things and the realm of the upside-down offers an interesting take on the motif of the underworld. This universal concept has interesting psychological parallels that help to further our understanding relating to processes of emotional and relational healing. Please note that this blog contains potential spoilers.
Working with the Non-rational
Humans generally like to see themselves as rational beings. Perhaps it is more accurate to see ourselves as possessing the capacity for rationality, while also recognizing that we have the capacity to be irrational. This blog dives into the world of the non-rational and looks at how accepting this side of our nature can actually support and strengthen our ability to be rational.
Resolution & Ritual in the New Year
Earth and Psyche
Psyche? What Psyche?
Memory, Trauma, and "Re-memberment"
Imagination
The human imagination is an incredible resource that can improve many aspects of our lives. This blog explores human development and the role of imagination in the process of growth. While imagination can often be minimized by our rational, left-brain dominated culture, this blog sheds light on the immense potential of imaginative functioning.
Dream Work
Body as Guru
The Sanskrit word, guru, comes from the root gu, which translates to darkness and ru, which translates to removal. Thus, the translation of the word guru is essentially "the removal of darkness". This blog explores how our body can function as our guru and assist us in our quest to remove darkness from our body, heart, soul, and mind.
Autumn, Persephone, and Embracing Darkness
In this blog, the myth of Persephone is examined as a metaphor for our relationship to the seasonal cycles, particularly autumn. The concept of darkness, both the external darkness associated with autumn/winter and the inner darkness many of us experience during these two seasons, is explored as an opportunity for reflection, rest, and ultimately inspiration.