Read the Longform Article on the Blog: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/4777-2/   Navigating Uncertainty, and Finding Meaning in a Fractured World Our era is characterized by the dominance of hyper-rationality and the relentless pursuit of objective truth, production, accomplishment and consumption.  The human psyche finds itself adrift in a sea of fragmented images and disconnected meanings as the previous myths that used to give us purpose are exposed as hollow or erroneous. I see patients everyday that describe this phenomenon but not in these words. It is as if they are saying that they do not know who they are anymore. Not because they have changed but because all of the nodes and references points that used to contextualize their identity are stripped away or have been made foreign and incomprehensible. However the world still looks the same to them, despite its alienating effect. It is not the aesthetics of the world that are different, but the effect that it has on us. Because the world looks the same we feel crazy. Really it is our feelings telling us that the world is crazy even though it looks the same. Effective therapy in the modern world needs to get over its insecurities of feeling or looking crazy. If we don’t let ourselves as therapists admit to patients that we also feel in pain, that we also feel crazy from these same forces, then how can therapy do anything but gaslight our patients more. When I see the news I feel like I am on drugs, even though I am stone cold sober. I know that the people on tv do not believe the things they say and are not acting for the reasons that they tell me as a spectator that they are. I am not a politician or a god, I am a therapist. I am as paralyzed against these forces as my patients are and yet I must help them recon with them. I must help them reckon with them even though I do not know how to reckon with them myself. I didn’t understand it at first but have come around to the line of W.H. Auden that the Jungian analyst James Hillman liked to quote at the end of his life. “We are lived by forces that we pretend to understand.” -W. H. Auden Auden’s line highlights how the frameworks and philosophies we resort to for certainty and order are often little more than self-delusion. The grand meaning-making systems of religion, science, politics, etc. that have risen to such cultural dominance are but feeble attempts to exert control over the ineffable complexities of being. Yet we cling tenaciously to these conceptual constructs, these hyper-real simulations, because the alternative – admitting the primacy of ambiguity, contradiction, and the unfathomable depths propelling our thoughts and actions – is simply too destabilizing. The simulacrum proliferates these hyper-rational facades and simulated realities precisely because they defend against having to confront the “forces we pretend to understand.” The philosopher Jean Baudrillard’s concept of the simulacra, or a copy without an original – a realm where simulations and representations have become more “real” than reality itself – aptly captures the sense of alienation and dislocation that pervades contemporary culture. In this world of surfaces and appearances, the depth of human experience is often lost, and the quest for authentic meaning becomes increasingly elusive. Appearance of the Unreal The simulacrum is a conceptual framework proposed by the philosopher and cultural theorist Jean Baudrillard in his book “The Intelligence of Evil or the Lucidity Pact” (2005). It refers to the realm of images and representations that have become detached from reality and taken on a life of their own in contemporary culture. According to Baudrillard, in the postmodern era, images and simulations have become more real than reality itself. Images circulate and multiply, creating a hyper reality that replaces the real world. In this realm, images no longer represent or refer to an external reality but instead become self-referential and self-generating. Some key characteristics of the simulacra as described by Baudrillard: It is a realm of simulacra, where copies and simulations have replaced the original and the authentic. It is a world of appearances and surfaces, where depth and meaning have been lost. It is a realm of fascination and seduction, where images captivate and manipulate the viewer. It is a world of illusion and virtuality, where the boundaries between the real and the imaginary have collapsed. The simulacra describes a semiotic vertigo, a self-referential hall of mirrors in which signifiers endlessly circulate and proliferate, unmoored from any ultimate signified or referent in material reality. It is a world that has become untethered from the symbolic order, that transcendent horizon of meaning and metaphysical grounding which allows a culture to orient human experience within a coherent frame. For Baudrillard, the implications of this unraveling of the symbolic order are profoundly disorienting and alienating. The perpetual bombardment of images and spectacle produces a crisis of meaning and a loss of critical distance. Signs and representations become unhinged from the tangible contexts and embodied human narratives that could imbue them with authenticity and significance. Gilbert Durand’s Imaginary Gilbert Durand’s concept of the imaginary, as described in his book “The Anthropological Structures of the Imaginary” (1960), can provide valuable insights into the crisis of meaning in the postmodern world. Durand argues that the human imagination is structured by fundamental archetypal patterns that shape our understanding of the world. For Durand, the realm of images, symbols, and myths constitutes the collective imaginary of a culture, providing a symbolic framework through which individuals can navigate the complexities of existence. However, in the postmodern era, the traditional symbols and myths that once anchored the imaginary have been eroded by the forces of secularization, rationalization, and technological change. The result is a fragmentation of the imaginary, a loss of symbolic coherence that leaves individuals adrift in a sea of disconnected images and meanings. Durand suggests that the crisis of meaning in contemporary culture is not merely a matter of intellectual or philosophical confusion, but a profound disruption of the archetypal structures that underpin human experience. The challenge, then, is to reconnect with new symbols and myths that can restore a sense of coherence and purpose. Michel Serres and the Proliferation of Images Michel Serres, in his work, explores the growing influence of images and visual media in contemporary society. He argues that the proliferation of images has created a new kind of environment that shapes our perception, knowledge, and behavior. Serres’s perspective highlights the way in which images and simulations have come to dominate contemporary culture. The endless circulation of images creates a sense of information overload and semiotic confusion, making it difficult for individuals to discern what is real and what is illusory. In this context, the task of therapy becomes one of helping patients navigate the world of images, to find ways of grounding their experience in authentic human relationships and chosen, not preprogrammed, narratives. This may involve a critical interrogation of the images and representations that shape our understanding of the world, as well as a renewed emphasis on the importance of symbolic meaning and archetypal structures. The simulacrum is not merely a philosophical or semiotic problem, but a profound existential challenge. It undermines the very foundations of human subjectivity, calling into question the assumptions and beliefs that have traditionally provided a sense of order and purpose to human experience. In this context, the role of therapy becomes one of helping patients to confront the radical uncertainty and ambiguity of the postmodern condition. This may involve a willingness to embrace the inherent contradictions and paradoxes of existence, to find meaning in the midst of chaos and confusion. A Heap of Broken Images in the Waste Land of the Modern The crisis of meaning that haunts the modern age is poignantly evoked in T.S. Eliot’s  “The Waste Land.” The poem’s fragmented structure and kaleidoscopic imagery reflect the shattered psyche of a post-war generation, struggling to find coherence and purpose in a world that has lost its moral and spiritual bearings. The “heap of broken images” that Eliot describes is a powerful metaphor for the breakdown of the shared cultural narratives and value systems that once provided a sense of unity and direction to human life. This theme is echoed in the work of the Jungian analyst Edward Edinger, who argues that the loss of these collective “containers” of meaning has left individuals increasingly vulnerable to the direct impact of archetypal forces. Cut off from the mediating influence of cultural traditions and communal myths, the modern psyche is exposed to the raw power of the unconscious, leading to a range of psychological disturbances, from neurosis and obsession to psychosis and despair. At the core of the human experience lie archetypal energies, biological drives, unconscious impulses that defy rationalization. The Jungian analyst Edward Edinger highlighted how the breakdown of cultural narratives and societal containers in modernity has left the individual psyche exposed to these primordial currents without adequate symbolic mediation. We are “lived” more by these depths than by the ideological scripts we rehearse on the surface. The totalizing ideological systems and regimes of image-commodification so pervasive in late capitalism can be viewed as anxious attempts to reinstall order and stuff the denied “forces” back into an old and broken symbolic container. But as Auden intuited, and as the desolation of “The Waste Land” gives voice to, such efforts are doomed to fail in reinstating an authentic sense of meaning and rootedness. What is required is a re-enchantment of the world, a resacrilization of existence that can hold the tensions of the rational and irrational, the structured and the chaotic, in productive paradox. Rather than defensive pretense, the goal becomes to live into the mysteries with humility and openness. Only by greeting “the forces we pretend to understand” with vulnerability and courage can we hope to restore the symbolic depths modernity has paved over with hyper-rational simulations and spectacles. The Jungian idea of the tension of the opposites can help us make sense of the dichotomy between the real we we are seeing and the unreal that we are feeling. By trying to pick between these forces we have to pick between either feeling crazy and acting sane or feeling sane and acting crazy. If we are able to feel the truth of both the real an unreal, subjective and objective tension that the cognitive dissonance of the modern era is causing it will become a powerful intuition. This powerful intuition was something harnessed by the theorists and writers mentioned in this essay. It is why their work feels so true even where it might seem on the surface like madness. Such an approach does not abandon logic, analysis and differentiated understanding. Rather, it balances these with an embrace of ambiguity, a readiness to engage the symbolic potencies of the unconscious, myth and the mysteries that exceed rational categorization. The Buddhist notion of the “still point” that so haunts “The Waste Land” evokes this posture of dwelling in the creative spaciousness between conceptual fixities. For Jung, it is only through metabolizing psychic opposition that true depth and wholeness can arise. The reconciliation of conflicts within honors psyche’s inexhaustible fertility, rather than defensively walling meaning off within cardboard ideological constructs. Real and Unreal Time Henri Bergson wrote that lived time (durée) is fundamentally different from the spatialized, quantified conception of time in science. He saw duration as a heterogeneous, interpenetrating flow irreducible to discrete instants. Intuition, rather than intellect, is the faculty by which we can grasp this dynamic continuity of consciousness. In Creative Evolution, Bergson proposed that evolution is driven by an élan vital – an immanent, indivisible current of life that flows through all living beings, giving rise to novelty and creative emergence rather than just gradual, continuous adaptation. Totalizing ideologies and the “regimes of image-commodification” in late capitalism are anxious attempts to reinstate a sense of order, but are doomed to fail at providing authentic meaning. What is needed is a re-enchantment and resacralization of the world that can hold the paradoxical tensions between rational and irrational, structured and chaotic. The Jungian notion of the tension of opposites illuminates the dichotomy between the “real” we see and the “unreal” we feel in the modern world. By feeling the truth of both and inhabiting that cognitive dissonance, it can become a powerful intuition – something you argue animates the work of the thinkers and writers you mention. The goal is to dwell in the “creative spaciousness” between conceptual fixities, balancing differentiated understanding with an openness to ambiguity, unconscious symbolism, and mystery. Metabolizing psychic opposition in this way allows for true wholeness to emerge, honoring the psyche’s deep generativity. Bergson sits with the same Phenomenon as Eddinger. The modern mind, unmoored from traditional cultural and spiritual structures that once provided symbolic mediation and containment of archetypal energies, is more vulnerable to being overwhelmed by unconscious forces in the wake of traumatic rupture. Rebuilding an authentic relationship to meaning after trauma thus requires recovering a sense of anchoring in the living weave of the world’s mystery and hidden coherence beneath the fragmenting onslaught of a hyper-rationalized, dispirited culture. Magic as Real and Unreal Intuition Bergson distinguishes between two forms of religious belief and practice: the “static religion” of closed societies, characterized by conformity to established norms and rituals, and the “dynamic religion” of open societies, driven by the creative impetus of mystical intuition. Within this framework, Bergson sees magic as a primitive form of static religion. He argues that magic arises from an extension of the “logic of solids” – our practical intelligence attuned to manipulating the material world – into the realm of human affairs. Just as we can cause changes in physical objects through our actions, magical thinking assumes that we can influence others and control events through symbolic gestures and incantations. Fabulation, on the other hand, is the human faculty of myth-making and storytelling. For Bergson, fabulation serves a vital social function by creating shared narratives and beliefs that bind communities together. It is a defensive reaction of nature against the dissolving power of intelligence, which, left unchecked, could undermine social cohesion by questioning established norms and practices. While Bergson sees both magic and fabulation as grounded in a kind of “fiction,” he does not dismiss them as mere illusions. Rather, he acknowledges their pragmatic value in structuring human life and experience. However, he also recognizes their limitations and potential dangers, especially when they harden into closed, dogmatic systems that stifle individual creativity and moral progress. In contrast to static religion, Bergson celebrates the dynamic, mystical élan of open religion, which he sees as the highest expression of the creative impulse of life. Mystics, through their intuitive coincidence with the generative source of reality, are able to break through the closed shells of tradition and breathe new vitality into ossified institutions and beliefs.Bergson’s perspective on the creative, evolutionary impulse of life (élan vital) and the role of intuition in connecting with this generative force can provide a compelling lens for understanding the impact of trauma on the human psyche. In Bergson’s view, intuition is the key to tapping into the dynamic, flowing nature of reality and aligning ourselves with the creative unfolding of life. It allows us to break through the rigid, spatialized categories of the intellect and coincide with the inner durational flux of consciousness and the world. Trauma, however, can be seen as a profound disruption of this intuitive attunement. The overwhelming, often unspeakable nature of traumatic experience can shatter our sense of coherence and continuity, leaving us feeling disconnected from ourselves, others, and the vital currents of life. In this state of fragmentation and dissociation, we may turn to various coping mechanisms and defenses that, while serving a protective function, can also further distract us from the healing power of intuition. For example, we may become rigidly fixated on controlling our environment, engaging in compulsive behaviors, or retreating into numbing addictions – all attempts to manage the chaos and terror of unintegrated traumatic memories. These trauma responses can be seen as a kind of “static religion” writ small – closed, repetitive patterns that provide a sense of familiarity and safety, but at the cost of flexibility, growth, and open engagement with the dynamism of life. They fulfill some of the same functions as the collective myths and rituals Bergson associated with fabulation, but in a constricted, individual way that ultimately keeps us stuck rather than propelling us forward. Moreover, the energy consumed by these trauma adaptations can leave us depleted and less able to access the vitalizing power of intuition. Instead of flowing with the creative impulse of the élan vital, we become caught in stagnant eddies of reactivity and defense. However, just as Bergson saw the potential for dynamic, open religion to renew and transform static, closed systems, healing from trauma involves a return to intuitive attunement and a reintegration with the generative flux of life. This may involve working through and releasing the residual charge of traumatic activation, re-establishing a sense of safety and embodied presence, and cultivating practices that reconnect us with the creative wellsprings of our being. In Jungian psychology, intuition is seen as a function that mediates between the conscious and unconscious realms of the psyche. Conscious intuition involves a deliberate, reflective engagement with the insights and promptings that emerge from our deeper layers of being. It requires an attitude of openness, curiosity, and discernment, as we seek to integrate the wisdom of the unconscious into our conscious understanding and decision-making. Unconscious intuition, on the other hand, operates below the threshold of awareness, influencing our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in ways that we may not fully comprehend. When we are cut off from a conscious relationship with our intuitive function – as is often the case in the wake of trauma – our unconscious intuitions can become distorted, projected, and misused. This might manifest as projections, where we unconsciously attribute our own disowned qualities or experiences onto others, leading to interpersonal conflicts and misunderstandings. It could also take the form of acting out, where unintegrated traumatic experiences drive us to engage in compulsive, self-destructive behaviors. Or it might express itself through somatization, where the body carries the unresolved trauma that the conscious mind cannot bear. As we develop this more conscious relationship with our unconscious intuition, we can begin to discern the difference between reactive, trauma-based projections and genuine intuitive insights. We can learn to trust and follow the deeper wisdom of our psyche, while also maintaining the boundaries and discernment necessary for healthy functioning. Nietzsche saw logic as a form of insecurity In his writing Friedrich Nietzsche saw clearly that the philosophical  and scientific works  of ultra logical men were not dispassionate, rational examinations of truth, but rather deeply personal confessions that reveal the innermost fears, anxieties, and desires of their authors. He saw the most logical minds greatest works as opportunities to psychoanalyze men who could not see the “forces” that lived through them or the ones they had repressed. Science and philosophy for Nietzsche were merely unconsciously projected psychological struggles onto the world, creating elaborate metaphysical systems and grand narratives that serve to assuage their deepest existential terrors. There is much truth in this. When I have a radically existential patient that tells that “hell is other people” I know that that person is really telling me that they, themselves, feel like they are in hell.Nietzsche viewed science and philosophy as unconscious projections of psychological struggles onto the world. Nietzsche argues that the more a philosophical work presents itself as a purely logical, objective analysis, the more it betrays the underlying psychological desperation and spiritual repression of its creator. The grandiose claims to absolute truth and certainty that characterize much of Western philosophy are, for Nietzsche, simply a manifestation of the philosopher’s inability to confront the fundamental chaos, uncertainty, and meaninglessness of existence. By constructing abstract, rationalistic systems that promise to explain and control reality, philosophers seek to impose order and stability on a world that is ultimately beyond their comprehension. In this sense, Nietzsche sees the history of philosophy as a series of  opportunities to eavesdrop while thinkers inadvertently disclose their most intimate fears and longings while claiming to have discovered universal truths. The more a philosopher insists on the logical necessity and objective validity of their system, the more they reveal the intensity of their own psychological needs and the depths of their existential anguish. The quest for absolute knowable truth and certainty is fundamentally misguided. The fragmentation and uncertainty that characterize the modern world are not problems to be solved through the application of reason, but rather the inevitable consequence of the collapse of the illusions and defenses that have sustained human beings throughout history. Nietzsche the Therapist Rather than seeking to impose a pre-existing framework of meaning onto the patient’s experience, the therapist must work to help the individual confront and embrace the fundamental groundlessness of knowable and quantifiable existence. By learning to let go of the need for certainty and control, and by cultivating a sense of openness and creativity in the face of the unknown, the patient can begin to discover a more authentic and empowering way of being in the world. Just as philosophers have often unconsciously projected their own fears and desires onto the world, so too may therapists be tempted to impose their own beliefs and values onto their patients. When a patient comes in and says, “hell is other people,” they are really telling the therapist that they, themselves, feel like they are in hell. Ultimately, the task of healing the modern soul requires a willingness to embrace the full complexity and ambiguity of the human condition, to grapple with the shadows and uncertainties that haunt the edges of our awareness. It requires a stance of openness, curiosity, and compassion towards the multiplicity of human experience, and a recognition that our deepest truths often lie beyond the reach of any single theory or perspective. “The aim of therapy is to help the patient come to a point where he can live with uncertainty, without props, without the feeling that he must conform in order to belong. He must learn to live by his own resources, to stand on his own two feet.” -Fritz Perls Walter Benjamin is Shocking Walter Benjamin wrote in his essay “On Some Motifs in Baudelaire,” “The shock experience which the passer-by has in the crowd corresponds to what the worker ‘experiences’ at his machine.”  In a world where the constant barrage of stimuli, the ceaseless flow of images and information, and the relentless pace of change have become the norm, the human sensorium is subjected to a perpetual onslaught of “shocks” that threaten to overwhelm our capacity for conscious reflection and meaningful engagement with the world. This ubiquitous experience of shock, for Benjamin, is intimately connected to the phenomenon of trauma. In a world where the protective barriers of tradition, ritual, and collective meaning have been eroded, the psyche is left increasingly vulnerable to the impact of events that exceed its capacity for understanding and assimilation. The result is a profound sense of alienation, disorientation, and fragmentation – a kind of pervasive traumatization of the modern soul. Benjamin’s insights into the relationship between shock, trauma, and the technologization of experience have  potential implications for the practice of psychotherapy. They suggest that the task of healing in the modern world must involve more than simply addressing the symptoms of individual psychopathology, but must also grapple with the broader cultural and societal forces that shape the context of psychological suffering. In a world where the protective barriers of tradition, ritual, and collective meaning have been eroded, the psyche is left increasingly vulnerable to the impact of events that exceed its capacity for understanding and assimilation. This results in a profound sense of alienation, disorientation, and fragmentation – a kind of pervasive traumatization of the modern soul. It is all too easy for the psychotherapeutic encounter to reproduce the very conditions that contribute to the traumatization of the self. By creating a space of safety, containment, and reflection, the therapist can help the patient to develop the capacity for what Benjamin calls “contemplative immersion” – a mode of engagement with the world that resists the fragmenting and alienating effects of shock that highly logical psychoeducational or cognitive therapy might cause. For Benjamin, this loss of aura is symptomatic of a broader crisis of experience in modernity. In a world where everything is mediated through the filter of technology and mass media, our capacity for direct, unmediated experience is increasingly eroded. We become passive consumers of a never-ending stream of images and sensations, unable to anchor ourselves in the concrete realities of embodied existence. From this perspective everyone becomes a potential producer and distributor of images. We can become mindful of the images and sensations of our inner world and understand what we have internalized. This allows us to reject the empty images and symbols we still have allegiance to and to choose what we absorb from culture and what images we can create internally for ourselves. For Benjamin, the suffering and trauma of individuals cannot be understood in isolation from the broader social, economic, and political forces that we internalize as inner images that effect our experience of an outer world. Therapists who are informed by Benjamin’s ideas may seek to help individuals not only heal from their own traumatic experiences but also to develop a critical consciousness and a sense of agency in the face of collective struggles. This agency in the patient can start with simply acknowledging these realities in therapy as forces that still do effect us. All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace In an era where the dominant paradigm asserts that everything can and should be understood through the lens of rigid science and radical logic, we find ourselves grappling with a profound sense of meaninglessness. The emergence of conspiracy theories like Q Anon can be seen as a manifestation of our unconscious collective yearning for a coherent narrative that explains the invisible forces that shape our lives. In a world where the true levers of power often remain hidden from view, these folk mythologies provide a sense of order and purpose, even if they are ultimately illusory. One way to avoid not only destructive conspiracy theories, but also being manipulated by cults and advertisements, is to bring these hidden needs and pains to the surface of the psyche in therapy. If we make them know to ourselves they will not be able to hijack our emotional systems and manipulate our behavior. Viewing ourselves as purely rational and intellectual beings is what leaves these drives for comprehension, stability, inclusion, importance and purpose ripe for exploitation. Overly cognitive or intellectual therapy can leave these forces dormant as well or worse repress them further beneath the surface of the psyche. As Adam Curtis critiqued in the documentary  “All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace,” the notion that humans are merely computers that can be programmed and optimized is a seductive but ultimately flawed worldview. If we think that we are computers then will be driven mad by the dreams within us that cannot find expression through a binary choice. In the face of this existential uncertainty, psychotherapy must evolve to help patients cultivate a different kind of knowledge—one that is rooted in intuition and inner wisdom rather than intellectual mastery. This is not to say that we should abandon empiricism altogether, but rather that we must recognize its limitations and embrace a more humble, open-ended approach to understanding ourselves and the world around us. The poem “All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace” by Richard Brautigan, which inspired Curtis’s documentary, envisions a future where humans and nature are harmoniously integrated with technology. While the poem’s utopian vision may seem naive in retrospect, it speaks to a deep longing for a world in which we are not alienated from ourselves, each other, and the natural world. In the context of psychotherapy, this means helping patients to cultivate a sense of connection and meaning that transcends the narrow confines of intellectual understanding. All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace I like to think (and the sooner the better!) of a cybernetic meadow where mammals and computers live together in mutually programming harmony like pure water touching clear sky. I like to think (right now, please!) of a cybernetic forest filled with pines and electronics where deer stroll peacefully past computers as if they were flowers with spinning blossoms. I like to think (it has to be!) of a cybernetic ecology where we are free of our labors and joined back to nature, returned to our mammal brothers and sisters, and all watched over by machines of loving grace. -Richard Brautigan Re-visioning Psychology James Hillman, a prominent post-Jungian thinker, presented a radical re-envisioning of psychology in his seminal work, “Re-Visioning Psychology” (1975). His main arguments challenged the prevailing assumptions of modern psychology and proposed a new approach rooted in the imagination, mythology, and the archetypal dimensions of the psyche. The “Soul” as Central: Hillman argues for a psychology centered on the “soul,” which he understands not as a religious or metaphysical entity, but as a perspective that deepens and “pathologizes” our engagement with life. He critiques modern psychology for reducing the psyche to the ego and neglecting the imaginative, poetic, and mythic dimensions of experience. Archetypal Psychology: Drawing on Jung’s concept of archetypes, Hillman proposes an “archetypal psychology” that sees the psyche as inherently plural and polytheistic. He argues that psychological experiences and symptoms are best understood as expressions of archetypal patterns and images, rather than as personal pathologies to be cured. The Primacy of Image: For Hillman, the image is the primary mode of psychic reality. He emphasizes the need to attend to the autonomous, living images of the psyche – as expressed in dreams, fantasies, and symptoms – rather than reducing them to concepts or interpreting them in literal, personalistic terms. Pathologizing: Hillman challenges the medical model of psychology, which sees psychological distress as a disorder to be eliminated. Instead, he advocates for a “pathologizing” approach that honors the soul’s need for depth, complexity, and engagement with the full range of human experience, including suffering and shadow aspects. Psyche as Story: Hillman sees the psyche as inherently narrative and mythic. He argues that we need to engage with the archetypal stories and patterns that shape our lives, rather than trying to “cure” or “solve” them. This involves cultivating a poetic, imaginative sensibility that can embrace paradox, ambiguity, and the unknown. Ecological Sensibility: Hillman’s psychology is deeply ecological, recognizing the interdependence of psyche and world. He argues that psychological healing must involve a reconnection with the anima mundi, the soul of the world, and a re-ensouling of our relationship with nature, culture, and the cosmos. Critique of Individualism: Hillman challenges the modern ideal of the autonomous, self-contained individual. He sees the psyche as inherently relational and context-dependent, shaped by the archetypes, myths, and collective patterns of the culture and the wider world. Throughout “Re-Visioning Psychology,” Hillman argues for a psychology that is poetic, imaginative, and soulful, one that can embrace the full complexity and mystery of the human experience. His work has been influential in the fields of depth psychology, ecopsychology, and the humanities, offering a rich and provocative alternative to the dominant paradigms of modern psychology. The days of psychoanalysis, which sought to dissect every aspect of the psyche in an attempt to achieve total comprehension, are indeed over. Instead, mental health professionals must focus on helping patients to be at peace with uncertainty and to develop the resilience and adaptability needed to navigate an ever-changing world. This requires a shift away from the pursuit of mastery and control and towards a more fluid, dynamic understanding of the self and the world. The Post Secular Sacred: In his book “The Spirituality Revolution: The Emergence of Contemporary Spirituality” (2004), David Tacey, an Australian scholar in the fields of spirituality, religion, and depth psychology, presents a compelling argument about the emergence of a “post-secular sacred” in contemporary culture. Tacey observes that while traditional religious institutions and beliefs have declined in the modern West, there has been a simultaneous resurgence of interest in spirituality, particularly among younger generations. He argues that this “spirituality revolution” represents a shift towards a new, post-secular understanding of the sacred that transcends the dichotomy between religious and secular worldviews. Critique of Secular Materialism: Tacey argues that the dominant paradigm of secular materialism, which reduces reality to the objectively measurable and dismisses the spiritual dimension of life, is inadequate for meeting the deep human need for meaning, purpose, and connection. He sees the rise of contemporary spirituality as a response to the existential emptiness and ecological crisis engendered by a purely materialistic worldview. Re-enchantment of the World: Drawing on the work of thinkers such as Carl Jung, Mircea Eliade, and Thomas Berry, Tacey argues for a re-enchantment of our understanding of the world, one that recognizes the presence of the sacred in nature, the cosmos, and the depths of the psyche. He sees this as a necessary corrective to the modern disenchantment of the world, which has led to a sense of alienation, meaninglessness, and ecological destruction. The Sacredness of the Ordinary: Tacey emphasizes the importance of discovering the sacred in the midst of everyday life, rather than solely in the context of religious institutions or transcendent experiences. He argues for a democratization of the sacred, where individuals can cultivate a sense of the numinous in their relationships, work, creativity, and engagement with the natural world. Spirituality as a Developmental Process: Drawing on the work of psychologists such as Jean Piaget and James Fowler, Tacey presents spirituality as a developmental process, one that unfolds in stages from childhood to adulthood. He argues that the emergence of post-secular spirituality represents a new stage in this process, characterized by a more integrative, pluralistic, and ecologically conscious understanding of the sacred. Engaging with the Shadow: Tacey emphasizes the importance of engaging with the shadow aspects of spirituality, such as the potential for

Schedule with James here: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/james-waites-counselling-for-mds-physician-burnout/   See James on Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/james-david-waites-hoover-al/1279130 In this podcast episode, we sit down with James Waites, a Birmingham-based mental health professional who specializes in helping physicians, healthcare workers, and executives overcome burnout and complex trauma. James shares his unique perspective on the challenges faced by these professionals and offers practical strategies for improving mental well-being and resilience. Our conversation with James Waites  delves into the systemic issues within the healthcare industry that contribute to burnout and compassion fatigue among medical professionals, including excessive paperwork, insurance hurdles, and bureaucratic red tape. Throughout the episode, James explains his unique approach to helping clients cope with burnout. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and processing symptoms, redefining passion, setting healthy boundaries, and redirecting energy. The discussion also touches on the complex underlying factors that often contribute to high achievement and burnout, such as childhood trauma, ADHD, and complex PTSD. James shares his plans to incorporate cutting-edge techniques like brain spotting and systemic trauma therapy into his practice to better serve his clients. The conversation also explores the challenges of treating children in dysfunctional family systems, the role of spirituality in therapy, and the subjective elements of psychology that are crucial but difficult to quantify. Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more engaging discussions on mental health, personal growth, and well-being. You can also find us on YouTube, where we share exclusive content and in-depth interviews with experts in the field.   The Toll of High-Stress Careers: James discusses the immense pressure that physicians and executives face in their demanding roles. He highlights how long hours, complex responsibilities, and the need to anticipate and analyze complex systems can lead to burnout, fatigue, and mental health challenges. James shares stories from his experience working with clients across various sectors of healthcare and business administration, providing insight into the unique struggles they face. A Holistic Approach to Care: James outlines his dual-pronged approach to helping clients combat burnout and improve overall well-being. He explains how he combines evidence-based mental health interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices, with practical solutions tailored to the specific contexts of medicine and business operations. James emphasizes the importance of addressing systemic factors that contribute to burnout, in addition to providing individual support and symptom management. Trauma-Informed Care for Complex Cases: The conversation delves into James's extensive training and experience in treating complex trauma and dissociative disorders. He discusses how unresolved traumatic experiences can manifest in dissociative symptoms, even among high-powered executives and healthcare professionals. James explains his trauma-informed approach, which includes creating a safe, validating space for patients to process traumatic memories and develop internal communication and collaboration between dissociated parts. Serving the Birmingham Community: As a Birmingham native and graduate of the University of Alabama, James has been dedicated to serving the local community's mental health needs since 2015. He shares his passion for helping young adults, couples, academics, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers overcome complex trauma and combat burnout. James reflects on his experience working with med students, residents, social workers, and front-line staff at UAB Hospital, and how this has shaped his compassionate, client-centered approach. The podcast episode concludes with James offering practical advice for listeners who may be struggling with burnout or complex trauma. He emphasizes the importance of seeking support, prioritizing self-care, and advocating for systemic changes in the workplace. James encourages listeners to reach out for help and take steps towards improving their mental well-being and overall quality of life. Taproot Therapy Collective 2025 Shady Crest Dr Suite 203 Hoover, AL 35216 (205) 598-6471 fax: 205-634-3647   #MD #Doctor #Physician #Psych #Rotation #MedicalSchool #MCAT #Medschool #Therapy #Psychology #Doctors #Burnout #SelfCare #UAB #Birmingham

Join Brittainy's substack here: https://substack.com/@brittainy We Talk with with Brittainy Lindsey, a former therapist turned mental health writer, about the systemic issues plaguing the mental healthcare industry. They discuss the challenges faced by therapists, from inadequate training and lack of mentorship to exploitative practices and unsustainable working conditions. Brittany shares her experiences and insights on how these problems impact both therapists and patients, and offers ideas for potential solutions. Joel also shares his own efforts to create a more equitable and sustainable model for mental health practices through his collectively-owned clinic, Taproot Therapy. They explore the importance of empowering therapists, fostering collaboration, and staying curious about innovative treatment approaches like brain-based therapies. While acknowledging the darkness in the industry, Brittany emphasizes the need for hope and the potential for positive change if mental health professionals can unite and advocate for better systems. She encourages listeners to stay passionate and keep shining a light on the fixable problems in mental healthcare.    find more resources @ https://gettherapybirmingham.com/   #MentalHealthcare #TherapistBurnout #SystemicIssues #InnovativeTherapies #BrainBasedTherapy #EmpoweringTherapists #CollectivelyOwned #SustainablePractices #MentalHealthAdvocacy #TherapistTraining #Mentorship #EthicalPractice #HopeForChange #UniteForMentalHealth #TaprootTherapyPodcast Chapter Markers: 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:27 Brittany's background as a therapist 00:09:11 Challenges for early career therapists 00:18:30 Flaws in the mental healthcare system 00:30:32 Therapist exploitation and burnout 00:40:46 Innovative therapy approaches 00:44:53 Taproot Therapy's collective ownership model 00:52:56 Unethical practices and lack of oversight 00:57:57 The need for curiosity and collaboration 01:00:20 Brittany's hopes for the mental health field 01:04:04 Encouraging the next generation of therapists

This is an clip from our Cults and Conspiracy Theories series that is only uploaded so that podcast libraries, like Spotify and iTunes, can use a clip of the podcast trailer. For more info on the podcast visit: https://gettherapybirmingham.com

The episode emphasizes the importance of addressing systemic issues that contribute to the rise of cults and conspiracy theories, rather than simply dismissing adherents as crazy or stupid. By understanding the psychological inevitability of these phenomena, we can work towards creating a society that fosters authentic growth and actualization. 🌱 Cults replace authenticity with false promises, exploiting members' time, sexuality, and resources 🎭Conspiracy movements provide a false sense of agency and empowerment, driving people to take action based on unverified beliefs 🕵️‍♂️Charismatic cult leaders often exhibit symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy, such as hyper-religiosity, hypergraphia, and altered sexual behavior 🧠Cults and conspiracy theories thrive when society fails to provide pathways to self-actualization, economic stability, and a hopeful future 📉Intuition and the unconscious play a significant role in the appeal of these movements, as people seek meaning and purpose beyond the rational mind 🔮 #CultPsychology #ConspiracyTheories #SelfActualization #UnconciousMind #SystemicIssues #TemporalLobeEpilepsy #CharismaticLeaders #FalseEmpowerment #IntuitionAndMeaning #AuthenticGrowth #PodcastInsights #MentalHealthAwareness #SocialCommentary #PersonalDevelopment #HumanPotential

Read More of Dr. Maffie's work on Aztec Culture Here: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/interview-with-james-maffie-on-aztec-philosophy-mythology-metaphysics/   Watch The video Interview Here: https://youtu.be/v01RnqA-yHk   Dr. James Maffie, author of "Aztec Philosophy," shared his insights into the complex and fascinating world of Aztec metaphysics. Dr. Maffie explained that the Aztec worldview centers around the concept of "teotl," a constant energy in motion that permeates all aspects of the universe. This energy manifests in three primary patterns: "olin" (bouncing, oscillating motion), "malinalli" (spiraling, twisting motion), and "nepantla" (back-and-forth, weaving motion). These patterns are evident in various facets of Aztec culture, from art and architecture to rituals and social interactions. Dr. Maffie emphasized that understanding these fundamental concepts is crucial to grasping the Aztec perspective on the interconnectedness of all things. One of the key points discussed in the interview was the role of sacrifice in Aztec culture. Dr. Maffie clarified that sacrifice was not merely a means of appeasing the gods, but rather a way for the Aztecs to participate in the cyclical process of life and death. This understanding of sacrifice as a necessary part of the cosmic balance sheds light on the Aztec worldview and their relationship with the divine. Dr. Maffie also touched on the importance of spoken words and the use of psychotropic substances in Aztec spiritual practices. The Aztecs believed in the power of language to transmit life energy and communicate with divine forces. Additionally, the use of substances such as peyote and Jameson weed facilitated oracular conversations with the gods, allowing the Aztecs to seek guidance and enlist the cooperation of other-than-human persons in their endeavors. Throughout the interview, Dr. Maffie provided a wealth of information on Aztec philosophy, dispelling misconceptions and offering a nuanced understanding of their worldview. He also shared details about his upcoming works, which will explore topics such as the Aztec skull rack as a cosmic maize field and the living nature of images in Aztec codices. This interview serves as an excellent introduction to the complex and often misunderstood world of Aztec philosophy. Dr. Maffie's expertise and engaging explanations make the subject accessible to a wide audience, inviting readers to delve deeper into this fascinating aspect of Mesoamerican culture. #AztecPhilosophy #JamesMaffie #Teotl #AztecMetaphysics #Olin #Malinalli #Nepantla #AztecCulture #AztecArt #AztecArchitecture #AztecRituals #AztecSacrifice #LifeAndDeath #CosmicBalance #AztecWorldview

Julian Walker, one of the trio that makes up the Conspirituality Podcast, delves into the intersections of yoga, meditation, psychadelics, psychology, science, and culture, offering a critical lens on the blend of conspiracy theories with spirituality. His background, originating from Zimbabwe and South Africa and transitioning to Los Angeles since 1990, enriches his exploration of New Age spirituality, cult dynamics, and the psychological underpinnings of yoga and meditation practices. Alongside co-hosts Derek Beres and Matthew Remski, Walker dissects the dangerous confluence of New Age cults, wellness frauds, and conspiracy theories through the Conspirituality Podcast, aiming to dismantle the exploitative narratives that merge spiritual beliefs with paranoia. Julian Walker's Projects and Contributions: Conspirituality Podcast: Co-hosted with Derek Beres and Matthew Remski, this platform critiques the merger of conspiracy theories with spirituality, focusing on its impact on public health and the exploitation of spiritual beliefs. The podcast is a blend of journalism, cult research, and philosophical skepticism aimed at understanding and addressing the cultic dynamics within the yoga, wellness, and new spirituality realms. Conspirituality Podcast Writing: Walker is an avid writer, contributing to platforms like Elephant Journal and Medium. His articles delve into cults and gurus, spiritual bypassing, the neuroscience behind yoga practices, and the impact of quantum pseudoscience in New Age circles. His thoughtful explorations contribute significantly to the discourse on spirituality and wellness. Julian Walker on Medium Yoga and Teacher Training: Beyond his critical work, Walker is deeply involved in the practical aspects of yoga and meditation. He conducts yoga classes and teacher training programs in Los Angeles, embodying the practices he often scrutinizes in his writings and discussions. This hands-on experience enriches his critiques with practical insights into yoga and meditation. Bodywork and Dance Facilitation: Walker extends his expertise to bodywork and ecstatic dance, offering a holistic approach to wellness that integrates physical movement with psychological and spiritual health. His Dance Tribe events in Los Angeles are a testament to his commitment to exploring the healing aspects of movement and dance. Explore Julian Walker's Work: Conspirituality Podcast - A comprehensive exploration of the nexus between conspiracy theories and spirituality.Julian Walker on Medium - Articles and essays on cult dynamics, New Age spirituality, and the science of yoga and meditation.Freedom Becomes You - Walker's personal project focusing on the intersections of yoga, science, and personal growth. The art work behind Mr. Walker was made by Benjamin Cziller @ https://www.saatchiart.com/cziller                                                                   More from the podcast at https://gettherapybirmingham.com/

We dive deep into the world of cults, charismatic leadership, and the psychology of influence and control with renowned expert Dr. Janja Lalich. Dr. Lalich, a professor emerita of sociology and a celebrated author, shares her invaluable insights drawn from decades of research. We explore the mechanisms that cults use to attract and retain members, the impact on individuals, and the process of recovery for those who leave. Whether you're a student of psychology, a survivor of coercive control, or simply fascinated by the complexities of social groups, this episode offers profound insights into the human condition. About Our Guest: Dr. Janja Lalich is a globally recognized authority on cultic studies and high-control groups. With a rich academic background and personal experience in a high-control group, she brings a unique perspective to her research and writing. She has authored and co-authored several seminal books on cults, including Cults in Our Midst and Escaping Utopia, focusing on the structure, tactics, and psychology of coercive groups. Her work extends beyond academic circles, providing support and resources for survivors and their families. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The definition and characteristics of a cult.How charismatic leaders use psychological manipulation.The process of indoctrination and its effects on members.Strategies for recovery and support for ex-members.Dr. Lalich's journey from a cult member to a leading expert. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Janja Lalich's Official WebsiteDr. Lalich's Books on AmazonRecovery Resources for Ex-Cult Members Connect with Dr. Janja Lalich: Twitter: @DrJanjaLalichLinkedIn: Dr. Janja Lalich Hashtags: #Cults#Psychology#Sociology#CoerciveControl#CharismaticLeadership#CultRecovery#SocialInfluence#AcademicInsight#MentalHealthAwareness#SurvivorStories#ExpertInterview#EducationalPodcast#CultDynamics#HighControlGroups#JanjaLalich

The term 'cult' often conjures sensationalist imagery and extreme behavior. However, a closer examination reveals a more complex relationship between cults, capitalism, and societal norms. This article delves into this interconnection, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of cults beyond their sensationalist portrayal. The Cult-Capitalism Nexus The rise of figures like Keith Raniere of NXIVM has drawn public attention to cults. However, the fascination with such figures often overshadows similar practices in mainstream capitalism, exemplified by figures like Jeff Bezos. The cultish behaviors in corporations and the glorification of billionaire CEOs reflect a concentrated, localized form of capitalism, challenging the distinct boundary between cults and corporate culture. Cults often attract individuals in marginalized and vulnerable circumstances. Rather than addressing the societal failures contributing to these vulnerabilities, such as inadequate social services, the sensationalism around cults tends to ridicule and stigmatize their members. This approach diverts attention from the systemic issues at play, including the deep-seated inequalities perpetuated by capitalist structures. The Role of Media and True Crime The portrayal of cults in media and true crime documentaries often parallels the narrative strategies employed in cop dramas, reinforcing certain stereotypes and ignoring the broader context. This trend reflects a cultural tendency to oversimplify complex social phenomena, ignoring the underlying economic and power dynamics. The methods employed by cult leaders like Raniere are not significantly different from those used by some corporate leaders. This similarity suggests that the techniques of control and exploitation in cults are derived from the worst aspects of predatory capitalism. Such parallels necessitate a reevaluation of how society perceives and addresses the concept of cults. The discourse around cults often fails to address the deeper issues of power dynamics and economic exploitation inherent in our societal structures. By focusing on sensationalist aspects, we overlook the ways in which cult-like behaviors are embedded within and reflective of broader capitalist practices. A more critical and nuanced understanding of cults can shed light on these intertwined societal issues.   Today we delve deep into the fascinating intersections of spirituality, wellness, politics, cults and conspiracy theories. Today, we're exploring the intriguing world of Matthew Remski.' Matthew, a former yoga teacher turned cult dynamics researcher, has been at the forefront of unmasking the often hidden connections between spiritual practices and conspiracy theories. In this episode, we'll dive into Matthew's journey, his insights into how spiritual communities can become breeding grounds for conspiracy theories, and his efforts to promote critical thinking and psychological safety in these spaces. Check Out The Conspirituality Podcast: https://www.conspirituality.net/ Check out Matthew's Site: Check Out Matthew's Podcast: https://matthewremski.com/wordpress/   Hashtags: #Conspirituality #SpiritualWellness #Cults #YogaCommunity #CriticalThinking #SpiritualJourney #ConspiracyTheories #WellnessCulture #Mindfulness #PsychologicalSafety #SpiritualInsights #CultResearch #TrueCrime #SpiritualPractices #MentalHealthAwareness   🌐 Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/ 🎥 Check out the YouTube: https://youtube.com/@GetTherapyBirminghamPodcast 🎙️ Podcast Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.podbean.com/ 🔊 Podcast Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/GetTherapyBirmingham/feed.xml 🏢 Taproot Therapy Collective 📍 2025 Shady Crest Drive | Hoover, Alabama 35216 📞 Phone: (205) 598-6471 📠 Fax: (205) 634-3647 📧 Email: Admin@GetTherapyBirmingham.com

Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast, where we dive deep into the stories and insights of fascinating individuals from all walks of life. Today, we are thrilled to have with us a truly remarkable guest, Mollie Adler from the podcast #BackFromTheBorderline and #NightNightBitch . Mollie is known for her groundbreaking work in exposing the hidden traumas caused by negligence in medical, psychological and economic systems that we need to examine. She has the freedom to say things that practicing therapists cannot and a source of inspiration for many people because of her honesty about these forces in her own life. We so much appreciate her coming on to speak with us.  Mollie's Substack Mollie's Podcast Mollie's Instagram #TraumaAwareness #HealingJourney #TherapyTalks #MentalHealthMatters #TraumaRecovery #SelfHealing #EmotionalWellness #MindfulHealing #OvercomingTrauma #TherapeuticProcess #InnerStrength #ResilienceBuilding #TraumaInformedCare #PsychologicalHealing #SurvivorStrength   🌐 Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/ 🎥 Check out the YouTube: https://youtube.com/@GetTherapyBirminghamPodcast 🎙️ Podcast Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.podbean.com/ 🔊 Podcast Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/GetTherapyBirmingham/feed.xml 🏢 Taproot Therapy Collective 📍 2025 Shady Crest Drive | Hoover, Alabama 35216 📞 Phone: (205) 598-6471 📠 Fax: (205) 634-3647 📧 Email: Admin@GetTherapyBirmingham.com

Carolyn's Site : https://www.carolynrobistow.net/meetcarolyn Carolyn's Podcast: https://www.carolynrobistow.net/brainunblocked   Meet Carolyn Robistow, the life coach transforming lives for overachievers struggling to control their drinking. From her college days of budget-friendly 12 packs to her sophisticated wine-loving phase, Carolyn's journey with alcohol has been a rollercoaster of self-discovery. 🤔 Facing the hard questions like "Am I an alcoholic?" Carolyn navigated the gray areas of drinking. Despite her discipline in other areas of life, alcohol remained a challenge. Not an everyday drinker, but definitely not living her best life. 🚫 Carolyn's turning point came after multiple attempts to quit, including online courses and facing the harsh realities of her relationship with alcohol. Her breakthrough? A mental health therapist exploring Brainspotting. 🧠 Discover how Brainspotting, a technique for addressing the neuroscience behind compulsions, transformed Carolyn's approach to drinking. She's now helping others with her 3-pillar framework combining Brainspotting setups, education, and daily practice. 🎧 Tune in to learn about rewiring neural pathways, overcoming the fear of a sober life, and harnessing self-control. Carolyn's story is a testament to the power of informed decision-making and understanding our brain's response to alcohol. 🔥 #Overachievers #ControlYourDrinking #CarolynRobistow #LifeCoaching #Brainspotting #SobrietyJourney #MentalHealthTherapy #AlcoholAwareness #SelfDiscovery #HealthTransformation #PodcastGuest #Empowerment #SelfControl #AlcoholFreeLife #Mindfulness #NeuralRewiring #Inspiration #Motivation #HealthyChoices #WellnessJourney #SelfHelp #RecoveryStory #SuccessMindset #LifestyleChange #MindBodyHealth #EmpowermentCoach #WellbeingWarrior 🎧 Tune in for an inspiring episode that's more than just a sober story – it's about reclaiming control and living your best life! 🌟🎤👏🏼 https://gettherapybirmingham.com/

Join me for a discussion with Dr. Peter T Dunlap about politics projection and how to save the future with psychology.  Welcome to our podcast, where today's special guest is Peter T. Dunlap, a remarkable psychologist with a unique blend of private and political practice experience. Raised by a psychologically aware mother and a father who was a liberal legislator in California, Peter has seamlessly integrated these diverse influences into his work. Peter's journey in psychology spans over three decades, beginning in 1990. His expertise lies in helping individuals discover meaning in their personal and professional lives, navigate relational challenges, and embark on a journey towards self-improvement. He is the acclaimed author of "Awakening our Faith in the Future: The Advent of Psychological Liberalism" (Routledge, 2008), among numerous other scholarly articles, book chapters, and contributions to Tikkun magazine. Dedicated to fostering emotional intelligence within communities, Peter has been pivotal in founding a distinct Jungian political psychology and cultivating the role of "citizen therapist". His work aims to empower community leaders, activists, psychotherapists, and individuals eager to strengthen their civic engagement through both individual and group settings. By extending emotional intelligence to a public sphere, Peter's approach seeks to transform interpersonal dynamics and celebrate the diversity of values in our society. At the intersection of Jungian psychology and political practice, Peter has made significant contributions to international Jungian communities, serving on boards like the International Association of Jungian Studies (IAJS) and the Jungian Society for Scholarly Studies (JSSS), and as a guest editor for the Journal for Jungian Scholarly Studies. His commitment to group transformative practice has been a highlight at numerous Jungian conferences, fostering conscious group formation and exploration. In addition to his broad contributions to the field, Peter leads a weekly "Hope and Leadership" group for progressive activists and community leaders, offering workshops and seminars focused on psychological leadership. For those interested in diving deeper into his work, visit petertdunlap.com. Now, let's delve into an enriching conversation with Peter T. Dunlap, a visionary blending psychology, leadership, and community engagement to enrich our shared human experience. #Psychology #PoliticalPsychology #JungianStudies #EmotionalIntelligence #CommunityLeadership #Psychotherapy #CitizenTherapist #GroupTherapy #JungianPsychology #MentalHealth #Activism #CivicEngagement #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #SocialChange #PublicEmotionalIntelligence #ConflictResolution #SelfImprovement #PoliticalActivism #CommunityBuilding #PsychologicalInsights #JungianAnalysis #HopeAndLeadership #EmotionFocusedTherapy #SystemicChange #Psychotherapist #ThoughtLeadership #CommunityEngagement #PeterTDunlap #AwakeningFaithInTheFuture

Samuel reached out to me as a therapist in the same world as Taproot to have a conversation about therapy and we had it on the air. We talk about Brainspotting, trauma, Emotional Transformation Therapy, Meditation, Mysticism, Jung and the past and future of therapy.  🔊 Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Samuel Blanchette, a therapist in the field of trauma therapy. Samuel brings a trauma-informed and humanistic approach to his practice, emphasizing the uniqueness of each individual's journey. With his rich experience working in diverse environments and with hundreds of people, Samuel has developed a deep understanding that one method doesn't fit all. In our conversation, we delve into the evolution of trauma therapy, exploring various modalities and how they can be tailored to individual needs. 🌱 Samuel passionately believes in validating every person's experience and pain, and he shares his insights on how he walks alongside his clients on their path to healing. Whether you're a professional in the field, someone dealing with personal trauma, or just interested in the human psyche, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the history and future of trauma therapy. #TraumaTherapy #MentalHealthAwareness #HealingJourney #HumanisticApproach #IndividualizedCare #TherapyInsights #MentalWellness #TraumaInformed #PsychologyPodcast #HolisticHealing #SelfDiscovery #EmotionalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #TherapeuticInnovation #EmpathyAndHealing   Transcript: Transcript This editable transcript was computer generated and might contain errors. People can also change the text after it was created. Joel Blackstock: All right, this is the Taproot therapy podcast. I'm Joel Blackstock, and I'm here with a man that truly needs. No one introduction. Joel Blackstock: Philosopher king, rock star of published author World traveler collector of rare artifacts as a tearing magic specialist now, so it's Samuel Blanchette I'm saying that there's another social worker who reached out to me and we know we were both kind of in a similar world and a ton of the stuff that I've done. I think it's just because our website is a little bit more visible his people see ideas and they're kind of looking for people in their world, we've talked a little bit about how academic psychology is going in a different direction and clinical practice because the market is wanting things that are not having in the hospitals by and large which is not a great place for the profession to be in and anyway, I have a lot of these conversations on the phone with people that want to connect and they're fun and they're interesting and I learned a bunch of stuff and so decided I'm just gonna start doing that on the podcast one because I'm out of time. All I do is Joel Blackstock: therapy podcast and play with my kids and sleep. And so yeah Samuel's a really interesting nice guy who reached out and wanted to connect and I'm sure we'll have a fascinating conversation. thank you so much for being here. Can you introduce your actual biography? Samuel Blanchette: Yeah, so aside from my arcanium of esoteric skills and my treasure seeking and… Joel Blackstock: know I should come up with as a terror more like Antiquated titles like alienist,… Samuel Blanchette: so forth. Joel Blackstock: nothing. It's like Haberdasher. Samuel Blanchette: sure, right the Joel Blackstock: Yeah farrier Samuel Blanchette: All of those things in the progression of learning how to be a human, Yeah. So yes, I'm a random human being that reached down to you because I saw that you had found a really kind of lovely way of integrating some of the modern neurological approaches with some of the cool more philosophical approaches what I don't think there's really a distinction there, but just to make discrimination between as… Joel Blackstock: Yeah. Samuel Blanchette: if we could do that to ourselves, which we try Yes,… Joel Blackstock: romantic distinction only really Samuel Blanchette: and so, I am a master's level clinician with licensed Associates clinician. So I'm working towards my ultimate end goal of whatever that is. Joel Blackstock: just here because here the sea is the terminal license. Samuel Blanchette: Yeah, so I'm in Arizona and it is different across all the states and my degree is actually in counseling, so I'm not coming from the social working Realm. Joel Blackstock: Okay, when you said LCS because here it's ALC LPC and then search is counselor and then social worker is lgsw which they just changed to lmsw and then it turns into Li csw which used to be LCSW that in our board and it's infinite wisdom. there's some others around Samuel Blanchette: Absolutely. I'm really appreciate some of the states that are working on doing kind of interstate compacts as far as that goes. I think that's kind of a really cool. right Joel Blackstock: the counselors are so much better at it than the social workers and I think there's pros and Constable both ones, but overall it seems like the social workers have a little bit less self-esteem or something. I don't know what it is and the boards seem like we're during the pandemic at the counseling boards are getting together in the clinical boards are making everything APA. It's like making everything so much easier for the license to practice across state lines and meet this need in a mental health crisis and our board is making it harder and being like actually there's these hoops because we have to make extra sure which I mean there's maybe ways to do it but it's just like they keep raising the number of Ethics hours because they're like, people keep sleeping with their patients. So maybe that they're doing that because they haven't heard it for eight hours instead of four and it's that. don't think no one told him not to do it as the problem. Samuel Blanchette: That's right very much like introduction to you want to be a mental health professional number one,… Joel Blackstock: They're gonna be so bored that we're gonna build a little Beetle of the entire profession. Samuel Blanchette: please don't. Joel Blackstock: No, I mean it's like you need to kind of catch that and the education level and… Samuel Blanchette: mmm Joel Blackstock: the support level and the licensure level which for some reason it's only we'll just tack on the cease and that'll fix these problems retroactively which supposed to be the system's professional social workers are supposed to understand the system and that actually works not as we wish it did, the stereotype is the lpc's kind of in a vacuum being like symptomology, which is always true and the social worker is more like person in an environment food racism culture, But for some reason those are not the ones that they make the loss about social work. Samuel Blanchette: And that's an interesting point that you make about coming into this field. Right and I think to some degree. it seems that human beings have an interest in how their minds psychees Souls work right how this thing functions because we all experience suffering and so we try to create method Of managing whatever that is, right, and I think that that's such an interesting point about this creating education of so many hours to try and inform you of information and there's such a huge difference between the experience of sitting with somebody in an intensely emotional space and the theoretical constructs around sitting with somebody in emotional space. 00:05:00 Joel Blackstock: And everybody who doesn't do that seems to want to tell you how to the theatrist that has never been in therapy and doesn't practice therapy and… Samuel Blanchette: All right, and Joel Blackstock: the insurance board and the state legislature have all these opinions about things. They don't teach children or do counseling. Samuel Blanchette: Yes, all of those pieces and I think I mean you used to really I mean explicit example, right this idea of they keep on engaging in relationships with these, people that's outside of the framework and the boundaries of the holding container, right? And at the same time… Joel Blackstock: mmm Samuel Blanchette: if you don't know how to work with the energy of human connection, right like intensity of that on the levels that are necessary to some degree to healing Joel Blackstock: for multiple types of people you kind of got to be a chameleon. You need to be what they need. what you want? Samuel Blanchette: Absolutely and to stay with that is interesting. I think that's a huge part of what our field does we create mental constructs in order to feel safe when we're journey into the unknown and I brain spotting. I think that the author makes a really interesting point about this quadrillion Connections in the human brain,… Joel Blackstock: mmm Samuel Blanchette: and I think that that's lovely to be aware of because I think one thing I've noticed as a struggle is They boards and other Trends try to dictate. What is the right way of doing therapy and boy, I've had so many internal conflicts or Joel Blackstock: you can do the wrong thing for the right reasons, it's there's some people who use exercises and avoidance, so if they're processing trauma with brain spotting stop exercising, it's not that that's a bad thing to do, but it's like so a lot of times I think when you Put more control at the top level. You're just making providers. Sort of have a different aesthetic about doing what they're doing. Anyway, it doesn't actually practice that much if anything it makes it worse. Yeah. Samuel Blanchette: Yeah, I think. this idea of having to change the language that you express the thing that you're going to be doing naturally anyway. Joel Blackstock: And the whole profession, I mean, I think that's like why mental health is such a weird spot is it's like because that you see it if you're a social worker and you're working with grants and things so there's all these assumptions baked in to the way the rules are written that there's services that exist and… Samuel Blanchette: Yes. Samuel Blanchette: Mm-hmm Joel Blackstock: connections and things that have not been around for 30 years. So half of it is ticking boxes that are fake just because it used to work this certain way and… Samuel Blanchette: Yeah. Joel Blackstock: and it's not quite a catch 22, but we need to word for that. and one of the things is it's like psychiatrists know how to do therapy. It's just this assumption because I know… Samuel Blanchette:  Joel Blackstock: how to read research about CBT and it's like no we used to think that because it used to be true because they used to do therapy and they used to be in there therapy. And now the vast majority of them are not but for some reason they're the one that calls me, from an insurance panel that I'm no longer in it says you should be able to treat the associative identity disorder in Greece sessions with CBT or drugs are mandated and a more therapy will be paid for and also brain spotting is in Joel Blackstock: Based and neither is EMDR and neither is some other long list of stuff. She wanted me to it's like hey,… Samuel Blanchette: reason Joel Blackstock: have you done this? Like I asked would be I left the panel and… Samuel Blanchette: Why? Joel Blackstock: then they were fine, and now they call me every year and ask me to go back in I never will but they're like I don't know does it was your dream to be the member of a 15 person, fake referral insurance thing. That's local to this ZIP code. what are you doing? Why are you telling me how to do therapy? You've never done it Joel Blackstock: I don't know. Samuel Blanchette: yeah, that divide is a curious one because on something in some cases it actually Bears really Pleasant fruit, right some of the really cool neurological studies and some of the neurocy stuff what I really love about it in all honesty is it gives Credence to a lot of historical and traditional methods of working with people and now we can just label it with scientific terms and say it's good an example that I really like so memory reconsolidation I think is so lovely. That's really been encouraging to me this idea that there is a way that the brain changes things damentally permanently emotional, Love that. It's very encouraging to me. And in my process of doing therapy, I deeply fell in love with Gestalt therapy at the very beginning of things. I've done the book Eagle hunger and aggression and I'm like, my goodness. I really love the depth of this thing. 00:10:00 Joel Blackstock: Rich pearls he was an interesting guy. Samuel Blanchette: He was I think a lot of and we have videos and we use that to interpret a certain total system of philosophical approach, which it is what it is and that's what people do but his wife Laura pearls contributed so much good men all these different thinkers into this really really lovely existential approach to their and yeah. Joel Blackstock: Yeah. Joel Blackstock: One I think it's downfall was kind of two things too. It's like one he was kind of a little bit more of a showman. He was probably kind of like me he was like you're not I want to show you how well this thing works by demonstrating it. And so people thought it was too productive. Samuel Blanchette: Sure. Joel Blackstock: No not reductive. They thought it was too much of Joel Blackstock: I don't know just some kind of a trade technique or something and said he was showing them part of the system and… Samuel Blanchette: Yeah. Joel Blackstock: then also east and west coast Charlotte and I got in a fight. I mean it's like the middle of California people were like this should be therapy and… Samuel Blanchette: all Joel Blackstock: the other people it should be religion, I guess you're therapy modalities successful. If it accidentally forms like a religion / cult, I don't know. Samuel Blanchette: A philosophical life approach and yeah, I think that you're absolutely right though about that thing and I think the challenge that happens the unfortunate thing is when certain people take things to their extreme, especially when part of the whole thing is trying to keep ideas alive to some degree letting Joel Blackstock: Yeah. Samuel Blanchette: let me show you something cool. Right and I think what that winds up doing though is especially in the case of stole therapy. here's this beautiful in a theoretical field Theory dialogical approach. I inval phenomenology relationship in between bracketing all these brilliant really lovely existential Concepts kind of like flowing into this approach and then we wind up with I do empty chair work therefore I'm using it. Joel Blackstock: yeah. Samuel Blanchette: and it's like Samuel Blanchette: that's saying all young and therapy is active imagination. Right? it's like let's take a technique. Joel Blackstock: We don't even give actual unions that are trained. It's like a ton of time. especially I think it's more of an American Union thing where they just sanitize it so much and it's just therapy plus Jesus or it's like therapy. You can bring to church or it's like a sand trade but there's not I mean it happens with all modalities same thing you're talking about. It's like people mistake the technique Or the lens of the modality… Samuel Blanchette: foot Joel Blackstock: which is how you're understanding a person which is how the conceptualization is so much more important than what you're doing in the room, Samuel Blanchette: I agree so fully I think and the hard part is how do you describe being a human right like this? It's so the potentially new ones. Joel Blackstock: The problem is psychology there, Samuel Blanchette: again, and how do we turn this into something that creates transformative change and I think again out of all the things that sort of young jungian slash Youngs love of alchemical ideas and that framework of thought I think it's so beautiful because it's at least language that's not dependent on time. Right? So it's the taoists or ayurvedic Traditions or these different things. They're all drawing from this concept of transformation. And now my experience especially when we're looking at things like Parts work and stuff. Everybody's labeled these things in their own way with their own conceptual lens. Yeah. Joel Blackstock: Especially ifs is him just putting which I don't dislike. I guess if I had a giant treatment center and I needed to Train everybody to be able to do the best work with it … Samuel Blanchette: absolutely. Joel Blackstock: but he put Yugi and archetypes together with dished out therapies experience will component. and maybe some DBT skills, but That's what it is, and the language of it is kind of dogmanic. You… Samuel Blanchette: It yeah. Joel Blackstock: I think it's so much easier to just say protective part. You kind of feel how this one's a physical protective part. That one's kind of unconscious one or whatever then getting in a fight with a client about is something like a firefighter or… Samuel Blanchette: Sure. Joel Blackstock: protector what I personally like, I mean, it's people who do it do great work. But you… Samuel Blanchette: Yes. Joel Blackstock: I'm not as wild about the language of All that also they think it's family therapy every time you say ifs people think your family there. Samuel Blanchette: Sure, what do I have to bring my mother in? the mother lives in you,… Joel Blackstock: Yeah. He's already here. Yeah. Samuel Blanchette: whether that's an object or at least he's in the space part of your phenomenological field like how we're doing this. 00:15:00 Joel Blackstock: what did you work with Gestalt, but what are the kind of broad Strokes of your practice now or the stuff that you Samuel Blanchette: So, I'm not an official anything right? Because unfortunately there's a pace wall that inhibits people from becoming certified in anything and I understand that to some degree because people want purity of systems possibly or they don't want to be misrepresented or whatever that means and that's okay and I understand that, I think unfortunately that again diminishes the free exchange of information and ideas and then you wind up with like you said this dogma's that have to approach existence in a very fixed pattern and that's neurotic traditionally anyway,… Joel Blackstock: Yeah. Samuel Blanchette: so I would say the collection of things right so I do really like primarily because it makes me feel confident and science is important to people and myself So this sort of neuro biological piece, especially poly Bagel Theory. I really like that and again all of those are still constructs built on our current understanding of medicine and biology, but I really like holy legal Theory. I like like I said memory reconsolidation, I like the idea that there are fundamental processes that mammals use to make adaptation. And that just makes sense to me and then sort of more of that the Gestalt oriented humanistic type of thing. So kind of like nazloe kind of existential stuff. And then I did a real deep dive into Parts work and things because Samuel Blanchette: if you've ever sat with anyone whether you're a therapist or otherwise there is a transition of Consciousness between aspects of themselves. However, you want to Define that right. And people have been exploring that from the beginning of time. In fact, I movement and all of these things have been deeply announced analyzed by taoists and in ancient Arabia Arabia and all these different kinds of things people have been playing with human observation and how we do what we do but one thing that constantly shows up and I met it first in Gestalt work right doing empty chair. It's like, my What is this? We have two fundamentally different states of Consciousness and he's Consciousness to define the whole being right? It's not a thought process, but it's a total representation of Self in the world right with environment. and it's just so fascinating there and I really Samuel Blanchette: fell in love with that and started strongly believing in it in a sense. However Samuel Blanchette: that's an interesting space to go because it's very unknown right and so I was looking for framework to understand this and I first got some deep framework in Psycho synthesis, right assagioli really going into all these details about sub personalities and the alchemical process of transmutation of self and then I started kind of playing around from there and it's interesting to see now what my work kind of shows up as after I've been exposed to all these different methods voice dialogue, internal family systems. All these different ones. There's a gentleman John run. Joel Blackstock: there is voice dialogue have purchase out there. I mean, it seems like there's not a ton of places still doing it much. Samuel Blanchette: So I had to look to find all of these things right ego States is super fun enjoyable for folks… Joel Blackstock: mmm Samuel Blanchette: because it's derives from a currently utilized processes that are popular. Joel Blackstock: That's like The Last Remnant of transactional analysis. It's still out there. Samuel Blanchette: Yeah, no, absolutely. Yeah this which all have roots in this Gestalt thing which I'll have roots in, psychoanalytic processes,… Joel Blackstock: Mm-hmm Samuel Blanchette: right ego and superego are parts, I mean to find them how you will There's something right. yeah, and… Joel Blackstock: Yeah. Samuel Blanchette: I think finding out how to work with parts and Also, my own process has looked like working with parts and also realizing more of this kind of again this field oriented idea or kind of this Buddhist idea of this local non-duality. So it's like parts and no parts can both mutually exist. And what's meaningful is how it applies in the field of Exchange in that moment with the person at least that's where I'm sitting at. I'm kind of wondering for you for yourself. How have you integrated that do you stick kind of sharply to a process of the way of working with parts or how have you integrated this because you have a lot of really cool neurobiological techniques, And then you have this other stuff too and kind of like, I'm very curious about that. Joel Blackstock: But I mean, I think probably what you're responding to is when I'm looking at the way that a lot of these models are younger pearls or whatever. I… 00:20:00 Samuel Blanchette: Yeah. Yes. Joel Blackstock: they're written in phenomenological language. It's like this is just how this feels and so they're kind of intuitive which is the reason why a lot of people they won't die. A lot of people are called back to them and a lot of reasons why they're never going to be institutionally. there is that it's not an objective thing. Samuel Blanchette: Monday Joel Blackstock: It's kind of an intuitive concept about don't you understand this part of your own experience, if you're chasing the academic thing and you don't understand that part of your experience, that's not going to speak to you, because it's not real. Samuel Blanchette: yes. Joel Blackstock: You can't see it take you to touch it. This is about subjective kind of felt State and in the parts of self that you can feel and work with and I mean frankly I think to do certain kinds of trauma therapy, you have to bury a certain amount of trauma that you've worked through or… Samuel Blanchette: yeah you Joel Blackstock: you don't really understand it. Joel Blackstock: Yeah, but then now there's neurology and neurobiology that is able to explain or we can make guesses. I'll still get a nasty email from a clinical psychology student. But we can make guesses about what these parts of the brain do and… Samuel Blanchette: right Joel Blackstock: that's always been my interest and so it's like because I was always frustrated with just how bad Academia is it admitting that it's wrong? it's the same people publishing these papers that are like you doesn't know unconscious isn't real and this is whatever and… Samuel Blanchette: Behaviorism it's hard. Joel Blackstock: trauma is trendy. So the same guys like riding a paper. That's like there's tertiary secondary and primary levels of consciousness, but the tertiary levels are only, symbolic function and show up in the body and you're like what it dude like you're wrong. just right. I'm sorry, that's the paper that you should be published. What? Joel Blackstock: So my thing is going back and saying look. Yeah these philosophies are Perennial meaning they pop up independently because there's people sort of feeling themself and discovering the same thing about how we work and… Samuel Blanchette: Yeah. Joel Blackstock: but then a lot of times, I don't really have a friend anywhere because I'm saying no, I'm not just in this club. I'm trying to say that all these clubs share functions and that neither one of them is they all have pros and cons. They all have drawbacks people don't like that. Samuel Blanchette: Yes. Joel Blackstock: They like me for the extent of me saying what you're doing is interesting and here's a cool way to articulate it and here's some techniques there. They like that and then I say, okay, but here's where the limitations are and where you can pivot if no don't do that, and that's the, people kind of like the stuff online until I won't even get a chance to respond to the email. Sometimes it's just like this is great. and this is great. I used it. wait, you said this thing that's threatening the way that I practice so I don't think you understand like I haven't said yeah I don't know. Yeah, I don't know if that answers. Joel Blackstock: that video that I have where I'm talking about I think the breakdown of these models is how experiential they are and how cognitive they are. And so the person who comes in and says that they want existential therapy and they're like, I didn't know my PhD in Sartre and I use that existential therapy and I'm called to whatever I'm like in a bag my hand. I'm like, that's the last thing that you need, it's not that other people are hell,… Samuel Blanchette: it's right because this Joel Blackstock: it's that you are in hell because you feel that in here. Don't need to the same thing with the person who comes in that's just totally in their feeling State and their feelings all that's real and they want to dump all this emotion. I mean really what you need is to kind of get out outside of that and see a bigger picture and have some kind of, spiritual or philosophical ones to analyze your life, which young says that in his book that the kind of therapy you come and… Samuel Blanchette: I love Joel Blackstock: wanting is usually the last one that you need. Samuel Blanchette: And it's that young and function of opposites, right or… Joel Blackstock: To tension of opposites. Yeah. Samuel Blanchette: this enabled from Yeah, there's Yeah, we want to come in this way. So it's likely that the other side of that is probably where we're gonna get the most yields. However, how do we… Joel Blackstock: mmm Samuel Blanchette: how do we get you to feel comfortable walking into that space because we have to build structure and some different scaffolding to step into the Known, right. So if I am loaded with a certain perspective it's easy for me to walk in that world until I dip my toe in the reality that I don't perceive then it's like my goodness and then we get all of the functions of adaptation that threatens my self-concept and do all this lovelyness. Joel Blackstock: I mean that's if you just listen to conflict or politics or whatever. It's half of the fights that people get into or where they become the most reactive. It's just where somebody saying. Hey, my behavior doesn't line up with myself image and you're pointing that out to me, … Samuel Blanchette: what? Joel Blackstock: which is one of the reasons why I can do therapy, but probably not anything else very well is that I don't quit doing that ever. if you say something I'm gonna take it at face value and… Samuel Blanchette: mmm Joel Blackstock: because of that, people come into therapy. There's kind of a buy into that process of but it makes you Miserable, person to be around at Thanksgiving. maybe we'll drop this episode then. Samuel Blanchette: right Joel Blackstock: What was in a hospital? I couldn't turn it off. I mean they would have this thing where they're like, hey, we really want to continuously improve and we want to know what the problem is and we want your all input and we want you to be honest and then I'd be like, then here's the thing that you could do easily. It would save you money and it would make reduce burnout and it would reduce errors and the downside is it might threaten somebody Ego or we would just have to admit that there's a problem which is what you're asking. no, don't say that. That's not what you're supposed to. Okay fine, then you don't want what you said. don't do this meeting give me three hours of my life every six months or Say I want you to give me your honest feedback. Where it's what I mean as long as you're saying it I'm gonna continue to take it at face value, even though I know you don't mean what you're saying and… 00:25:00 Samuel Blanchette: And that's the phenomenological approach right? Joel Blackstock: I'm not gonna stop doing that. I mean that's all that I'm gonna die. Joel Blackstock: Yeah. Samuel Blanchette: You literally cannot know anything other than what is happening in the immediate now, It's like everything else is extrapolation or some sort of projection or something. So it's like This is what you mean, right and they're like no. Okay. So this is not… Joel Blackstock: mmm Samuel Blanchette: what you mean, but this is what you're saying. Is that correct? And I love that this memory reconsolidation like the fundamental initial tenant is just creating this explicit awareness and then a juxtaposition of so this and this yes, and that's Joel Blackstock: Can you talk a little bit about memory reconsolidation for people who may not be familiar the technique there and… Samuel Blanchette: Yeah, absolutely. Joel Blackstock: the assumption? Samuel Blanchette: Let's see. If Bruce Ecker was a physicist before he started getting into the whole therapy situation. And I love that people have passions because passions create they take people down. Holes that lead to information I would never find because my passion doesn't lean in that direction. And so Samuel Blanchette: they really did a lot of work looking at this idea of how we fundamentally change our memories right? There was this idea up until the early 2000s or so that once it's in long term memory storage. You're stuck with it. And even we have in a vendor coax book like that body keeps the score. It's like no once It's in there you're stuck and then that leads right that necessitates creating processes where we're doing a counter development of a strategy, So we're looking for extinction, which is let me build up this neurological pathway that's contrary to this one so they can battle it down and hopefully my pretty fun little cortex wins down against my limbic system and my sub cortical areas when I'm threatened and we can do that through some desensitization and building up strategies, right which is fine and that also building strategies is how we learn grow and develop, however, Samuel Blanchette: The fundamental sense of emotional pain when I access a historical piece of my existence. That's not very fun. And that's what drives most of us to seek change. right and… Joel Blackstock:  Samuel Blanchette: and this idea is really lovely because They were going off this model. you can't erase long-term memory once it's in it's in but whoa. All sorts of cool experiments they're using mice and then they're putting in certain chemicals that inhibit the consolidation of certain kinds of neurological processes and bad Bang. Now we're not having the long-term memory affect them on an emotional level, but they still theoretically hold on to that information in a chronological fashion, right? So Joel Blackstock: Yeah, and anything like with brain science because there are billions of connections. It's gonna be reduced to some kind of metaphor. I mean, there's no way to talk about it without being reductive unless you're super computer, … Samuel Blanchette: Yeah. Joel Blackstock: but I mean that's another thing a lot of the research is showing is the pair sympathetic and the sympathetic nervous system are out of sync. They're not acting in the same way which I mean to me with brain spotting and a lot of the pupil dilation stuff that we do you can't fake those reactions,… Samuel Blanchette: yeah. No. Joel Blackstock: when your people's like doing this you're having a brain bleed or you're maybe brain spotting works and it's doing something that's neurologically reproducible with a reducible effect. Even if it's not past a zillion randomize controlled trials and isn't 30 years old yet, something I can recreate in the room. Samuel Blanchette: right Joel Blackstock: I hear the same thing from the patient. It cures the same thing. that's Health Science works, even it starts here, you research it later and there are a lot of studies on it now being more effective and embr and some other things but the parent sympathetic and sympathe. Joel Blackstock: Nervous system fighting each other one dilates the eye. It has kind of a sphincter like muscle that tightens and… Samuel Blanchette: Yeah, right. Joel Blackstock: the other one has a pulling muscle that opens the eye so I hit my mic and that when you usually don't drive with your foot on the gas and the brake, you… Samuel Blanchette: Right. Yeah. Joel Blackstock: but what I can do is hit those to be intention, with color light frequency eye position, all the different techniques that we have now eye movement sometimes until they Sink in my body is assuming the same thing that the front of my brain is assuming about… Samuel Blanchette: I love that and… Joel Blackstock: how the world works not something that is 15 years old, traumatic. Samuel Blanchette: and this even speaks to Peter Levine the oscillation between felt senses right even going back to earlier stuff of self-observation. 00:30:00 Joel Blackstock: Yeah, yeah. Samuel Blanchette: We're looking at ben Eugene gendlin in this focusing. here's a felt sense. I experience it. I look I put words on it and then there's this curious thing. I'm speaking back to this memory reconsolidation piece, which I love because it's non-theoretical right? it is theoretical in the scientific sense, but it's trans theoretical in the sense that it doesn't belong to anybody nobody can I think they say this is my method pay me my Right. Joel Blackstock: You can't really consolidate memory only I can do that. Samuel Blanchette: I have it all it's mine. Let baby thousands of dollars to learn my strategy which is fine and… Joel Blackstock: Yeah, that is kind of even the models that I like. Samuel Blanchette: I understand. Joel Blackstock: It's kind of off-putting or they're like look you use this word. Then you're whatever. It's like man. Come on. why are you doing this Samuel Blanchette: we have to and some because it's marking territory and it's validating philosophical processes and trying to differentiate that from something else and all the things. So what I love though, and I'm very curious especially with brain spotting and various other eye movement type things whether it's NLP and the different ways of accessing or looking in the visual field or any of these things or even just staying with the micro Tremors and neurogenic tremoring that happens during certain kinds of activation all the good stuff, The lovely thing about So the concept here for the memory reconsolidation is that It is theoretically not and sometimes that feels kind of powerful but it is the way of creating. Samuel Blanchette: Forever emotional change and the way that it works is memory is Consolidated during event of high emotion, right? So boom. Joel Blackstock: Yeah. Samuel Blanchette: I have stored that in my system. However, we do that. We have no clue, we have always ideas on how memory works but it's way too integrative to just be reduced to neurons. It's memories stored with emotion, In order to change that the process is really really simple, but it's also challenging because the process is this I need to activate that as a felt experience that memory with the emotional component. Samuel Blanchette: Once I activate that memory and it felt experience. I need to create an explicit juxtaposition as the word that they use something that fundamentally on a felt sense disconfirms. The fact that that is that be whether I'm using an eye thing and I'm in a safe space or whatever that is and what that does is it unlocks all of the patterns of how that's held because now just like an animal right? I have an explicit fact that contradicts the emotional content. And once that opens then we have a process of five hour window where if we continually repeat the Discerning event one consolidates, the evidence says that what should happen is that should no longer elicit anything you can call it back up and it will be a historical. Piece of information but it will not be emotional charge to it. Joel Blackstock: It sounds like a lifespan integration is doing that too. I'm not training that one. I've read the book and one of my supervision candidates is really into it but it sounds similar and… Samuel Blanchette: with you Joel Blackstock: that you're kind of taking these things that are felt experiential pretty strong activating memories, but they are contradictory and then ramming them all through so quickly that you can't continue to have all of that stored semantic memory be on challenged and then the brain let's go. Samuel Blanchette: And the timeline and lifespan stuff is really interesting because we look at NLP they've been using timelines and things for a long long time. Joel Blackstock: Yeah. Samuel Blanchette: And this is one of the other things that I struggle with as people will take ideas that are explicitly described in older therapeutic modalities. They will not give credit to the line of thinking and… Joel Blackstock: yeah. Samuel Blanchette: they will need it to their own process. That is one of the things that Joel Blackstock: Then sometimes they don't even know when they're doing it. I mean you can kind of tell when people know that they're doing it when people don't like Joseph Campbell bringing young to America. Samuel Blanchette: but that's Joel Blackstock: I mean, I feel like he knew what he was stealing and he was a union he didn't give credit to it. You… Samuel Blanchette: mmm Joel Blackstock: he said that but yeah, there's other people where I think they've just heard something and then they start doing something and then they decide they can I mean like that. Samuel Blanchette: Yeah. Yeah, that's fair what I really loved though about this process. So this idea memory recall it somatically in a felt way. Juxtaposition of experience something that completely explicitly confronts that create the unlock which then allows new information to be encoded in the memory to go away and what's really kind of need is though. This is very dependent on each situation. So you can remove the emotional charge of a certain thing. But if it has other connections or other parts are attached to it each of those would also need to go through this process of reconciliate memory reconsolidation in order to get the full effect of when I think of that in this context it no longer elicits that strong necessary emotional survival response. 00:35:00 Samuel Blanchette: and what I like about it is because it's kind of like It just a concept neurologically. It means that every therapeutic

Check Out Hardy: https://try.hardynutritionals.com Special Thanks to Jared Hardy and Cory Rasmussen for joining us to talk about micronutrients. In today's episode, we're thrilled to dive deep into the world of micronutrients and their impact on mental health and chronic inflammation. Joining us are experts from Hardy Nutritionals, a pioneering company at the forefront of nutritional psychiatry. Founded by David L. Hardy, their innovative approach has opened new avenues in treating mood, stress, and anxiety-related disorders. So, whether you're a healthcare professional, someone struggling with mental health issues, or just curious about the power of nutrition, this episode promises to shed light on how micronutrients can transform lives. Stay tuned for an enlightening conversation full of insights, research, and holistic health strategies. Let's get started!   Here are some notable research studies conducted or supported by Hardy Nutritionals: Efficacy and Safety of a Vitamin-Mineral Intervention for Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Adults: A Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial "NoMAD": This study investigated the effects of micronutrients on anxiety and depression symptoms in adults. The results showed significant improvements in the micronutrient group, especially in younger participants, those from lower socioeconomic groups, and those who had previously tried psychiatric medication​​. Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological treatments for pediatric ADHD. It concluded that multinutrients, mindfulness, and polyunsaturated fatty acids can be effective secondary treatments in combination with primary treatments or when primary treatments are not suitable​​. Micronutrients for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Youth: A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial: This trial focused on the benefits of micronutrients for ADHD and irritability in children. It found that micronutrients were more beneficial than placebo according to clinician ratings, but not according to parent-report ratings. The study highlighted the safety and efficacy of micronutrients for treating ADHD in youth​​. Do Changes in Blood Nutrient Levels Mediate Treatment Response in Children and Adults With ADHD Consuming a Vitamin-Mineral Supplement?: This study aimed to determine whether changes in serum nutrient levels could mediate the clinical response to a micronutrient intervention for ADHD. It found a weak association between a decrease in ferritin and an increase in copper with a greater likelihood of being identified as an ADHD responder​​. Multinutrients for the Treatment of Psychiatric Symptoms in Clinical Samples: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: This meta-analysis reviewed randomized controlled trials of multinutrients for various psychiatric symptoms. The results indicated significant clinical benefits, particularly in ADHD populations, with improvements in global functioning and symptom reduction​​. #HardyNutritionals#Micronutrients#MentalHealthAwareness#ChronicInflammation#MoodStability#AnxietyRelief#SchizophreniaSupport#BipolarDisorder#NutritionalPsychiatry#MentalWellness#HealthInnovation#DietAndMentalHealth#NaturalMentalHealth#HolisticHealthcare#NutritionScience🌐 Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/ 🎥 Check out the YouTube: https://youtube.com/@GetTherapyBirminghamPodcast 🎙️ Podcast Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.podbean.com/ 🔊 Podcast Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/GetTherapyBirmingham/feed.xml 🏢 Taproot Therapy Collective 📍 2025 Shady Crest Drive | Hoover, Alabama 35216 📞 Phone: (205) 598-6471 📠 Fax: (205) 634-3647 📧 Email: Admin@GetTherapyBirmingham.com

Blue Medicine Journal Podcast Today, we have the immense pleasure of hosting an extraordinary guest, Dr. Sandra del Castillo. With an illustrious academic background, holding both a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Depth Psychology with a specialization in Jungian and Archetypal Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, Dr. del Castillo is not just an academic but a true embodiment of the teachings she imparts. As a teacher, storyteller, and ritual artist, she has traversed the rich cultural landscape of Mexico, living in four different states over fifteen years to connect with her ancestral roots. This profound journey not only inspired her dissertation on the Mexican Day of the Dead but also deepened her understanding of the archetypal wisdom woven into the fabric of Mesoamerican cosmovisions, philosophy, poetry, and mythology. Dr. del Castillo’s work comes at a critical Kairos moment in history, as humanity stands at the precipice of the Sixth Great Extinction. Her artistry in ritual is a dance with the numinous, each piece a conduit of the soul’s language, offering healing and transformation to both the creator and the witness. With nearly three decades of facilitating ritual in diverse settings—from the classrooms of California and Oregon to the ancient pyramid sites of Mexico—she has honed her craft to perfection. Dr. del Castillo also offers her wisdom through classes and workshops, including the transformative “The Art of Living Ritual: Re-animating an Ensouled Worldview.” Today, she brings her insights into our studio, sharing reflections and conversations that are not only thought-provoking but soul-stirring. Her podcast, Blue Medicine Journal, is a treasure trove of Jungian wisdom, dedicated to the re-enchantment of our world. It's a call to awaken from the spell of disenchantment and journey into the blue—the soul realms—where dreams, myth, ritual art, and imagination become vital tools in the face of extinction. So join us as we sit down with Dr. Sandra del Castillo, a Jungian mentor, ritual artist, dreamer, and the heart behind Blue Medicine Journal,     #DepthPsychology #JungianPsychology #ArchetypalWisdom #SoulJourney #RitualArt #AncestralRoots #DayOfTheDead #Mythology #PsycheAndSoul #DreamsAndSymbols #MexicanCulture #Cosmovision #Mesoamerica   More Info: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/

Wishing everyone a spooky Halloween! 🎃👻🕷️🕸️Welcome to 'Beyond the Veil: Exploring the Psychology of Death' 🎙️. In this episode of the depth psychology podcast, we delve into the complex intersections of death, spirituality, and society. Join us as we navigate the profound concepts of mortality, drawing insights from Hinduism and Buddhism, examining modern burial practices, scrutinizing the impact of capitalism, all while drawing unexpected parallels from the cyberpunk world of 'Cyberpunk 2077' and the beloved nostalgia of 'Saved by the Bell' 🕉️☸️💀💰🕹️🔔. Hashtags: #BeyondTheVeil #PsychologyOfDeath #HinduPerspectives #BuddhistInsights #ModernBurialPractices #CapitalismAndMortality #Cyberpunk2077Analysis #SpiritualityInGaming #LifeAndDeath #ExistentialJourney #EternalCycle #SoulfulConversations #CulturalDimensions #NostalgiaRevisited #TranscendingMortality   yGPZC5anOrng7MFc0lKn

We welcome Alice Hawley LPC NCC LMFT to our practice and talk about evidence based practice in soft and hard sciences. Please check out Alice's bio here.  https://gettherapybirmingham.com/alice-hawley-lpc/ More to come! Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/ Check out the youtube: https://youtube.com/@GetTherapyBirminghamPodcast Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.podbean.com/ Podcast Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/GetTherapyBirmingham/feed.xml Taproot Therapy Collective 2025 Shady Crest Drive | Hoover, Alabama 35216 Phone: (205) 598-6471 Fax: (205) 634-3647  Email: Admin@GetTherapyBirmingham.com The resources, videos and podcasts on our site and social media are no substitute for mental health treatment. Please find a qualified mental health provider and contact emergency services in your area in the event of an emergency to a provider in your area. Our number and email are only for scheduling at Taproot Therapy Collective are not monitored consistently and not a reliable resource for emergency services. #Jung #Therapy #psychology #EMD #DepthPsychology #anthropology #sociology #philosophy #mythology #psychology #psychotherapy #SpiritualHealing #TherapyJourney #EvidenceBasedCare #JungianPsychology #SpiritualAwakening #TherapeuticApproach #EvidenceBasedResearch #JungianTherapy #SpiritualGrowth #TherapyWorks #EvidenceInPractice #JungianAnalysis #MindfulnessPractice #TherapySession #EvidenceBasedResults #JungianArchetypes #SpiritualWellness #TherapyTools #EvidenceBasedApproach #JungianTheory #HolisticHealing #TherapyGoals #EvidenceSupports #JungianTechniques #SpiritualBalance #TherapySuccess #EvidenceBasedTherapy #JungianConcepts #SoulfulHealing #TherapyJourneys #EvidenceBasedResults #JungianPerspective #SpiritualTransformation #TherapyMatters #ResearchBasedPractice #JungianApproach #InnerPeace #TherapyBenefits #ScientificEvidence #JungianIntegration #SpiritualEnlightenment #TherapySupport #ProvenEvidence #JungianSelf #SpiritualGuidance #TherapyForAll #PracticalEvidence #JungianStudies #SpiritualEmpowerment #TherapySolutions

Check out the Book: https://www.amazon.com/If-Sounds-Like-Quack-American/dp/1541788877 Check out Matt's Website: http://www.matt-hongoltzhetling.com/ Get ready to dive into the world of evidence-based practice and medical scams with the brilliant author Matt Hongoltz-Hetling! 📖🔬 His latest book "If It Sounds Like a Quack" uncovers the fascinating intersection of healthcare, science, and deception. Join us for an illuminating podcast interview where we explore the murky waters of medical misinformation, separating fact from fiction. 💡🚫 🔍 Discover the truth behind #Scams and learn how to navigate the sea of dubious health claims that flood our lives. With Matt's insightful analysis, you'll gain valuable insights into the tactics used by quacks and fraudsters to exploit unsuspecting patients. 🕵️‍♂️💉 From miracle cures to pseudoscientific jargon, we'll unravel the mysteries of the healthcare industry while discussing how to spot red flags and make informed decisions about your well-being. 🚩🤔 Join us as we explore: The power of #EvidenceBasedPractice in separating effective treatments from mere hoaxes. Real-life examples of medical scams that have captivated the masses. How to critically evaluate medical information in an era of information overload. Strategies for protecting yourself and your loved ones from falling prey to medical fraud. Don't miss out on this riveting conversation that will empower you with the knowledge to make informed healthcare choices. 🎧🤝 Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/ Podcast Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.podbean.com/ Podcast Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/GetTherapyBirmingham/feed.xml Taproot Therapy Collective 2025 Shady Crest Drive | Hoover, Alabama 35216 Phone: (205) 598-6471 Fax: (205) 634-3647 Email: Admin@GetTherapyBirmingham.com The resources, videos and podcasts on our site and social media are no substitute for mental health treatment. Please find a qualified mental health provider and contact emergency services in your area in the event of an emergency to a provider in your area. Our number and email are only for scheduling at Taproot Therapy Collective are not monitored consistently and not a reliable resource for emergency services.

Dick Russell has published fifteen books on subjects ranging from natural history to the assassination of President Kennedy. Check out Dick's Website: https://dickrussell.org/   Buy his book: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Ideas-James-Hillman-II/dp/195676318X 🎙️📘   Dive into the depths of the human psyche with #DickRussell as he unravels "The Life and Ideas of James Hillman" 🧠💭 Join us for an enlightening conversation on #JungianPsychology, #ArchetypalTherapy, and the journey of self-discovery! 🌌🕳️ Don't miss this insightful exploration into the realms of the mind and soul! 🌟🎧 #JungianPsychology #Schizophrenia #ArchetypalPsychology #shamanism #SchizophreniaSupport #JungianAnalysis #CollectiveUnconscious #SchizophreniaTreatment #DepthPsychology #SchizophreniaRecovery #AnalyticalPsychology #carljung   Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/ Check out the youtube: https://youtube.com/@GetTherapyBirminghamPodcast Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.podbean.com/ Podcast Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/GetTherapyBirmingham/feed.xml Taproot Therapy Collective 2025 Shady Crest Drive | Hoover, Alabama 35216 Phone: (205) 598-6471 Fax: (205) 634-3647 Email: Admin@GetTherapyBirmingham.com The resources, videos and podcasts on our site and social media are no substitute for mental health treatment. Please find a qualified mental health provider and contact emergency services in your area in the event of an emergency to a provider in your area. Our number and email are only for scheduling at Taproot Therapy Collective are not monitored consistently and not a reliable resource for emergency services.

Central to the discussion is the ancient Greek concept of 'Temenos' - a sacred space extending beyond the confines of a temple into the city. This idea is crucial in reimagining urban spaces not just as functional entities but as extensions of sacred, communal areas. The book argues for viewing the entire city through this lens, transforming urban planning into a more holistic and respectful practice toward both the environment and its inhabitants. Urban planning and depth psychology may appear as disparate fields, yet their intersection offers novel insights into city design and architecture.  The article further explores how contemporary urban planning can benefit from this approach, especially considering today's societal and environmental challenges. It discusses the need for cities to transcend utilitarian views, integrating practicality with a deeper spiritual and communal essence. There is also a critique of modern furniture design and architecture, contrasting the intentional and lasting designs of the past with the transient and utility-focused trends of today. This critique extends to discussing how the values reflected in our buildings and urban spaces have evolved and why a reevaluation of these values is essential.   Buy Will's Book, Temenos: https://www.amazon.com/Temenos-Design-Experience-Urbanism-Spiritual/dp/1950186490 Check Out the Podcast: https://gettherapybirmingham.podbean.com/ Get More Free Resources and Articles:  https://gettherapybirmingham.com/   Join us as we unravel the fascinating connections between our built environment, spiritual values, and collective consciousness, delving into topics like mythology, shamanism, integral spirituality, and much more. 🌌📖 Will Selman, a distinguished urban consultant and founder of the Institute for Symbolic Urbanism, takes us on an eclectic journey through time and culture, offering a fresh perspective on city life and its potential to be a source of psychic uplift. 🏛️💫 If you're a spiritual seeker or an urban advocate passionate about soulful placemaking, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧🌆 So sit back, relax, and get ready for an inspiring conversation that'll make you see cities and towns in a whole new light. Let's get started! 🎉🎧 The unfortunate state of our cities and towns is not so much a problem of design and policy as a reflection of a loss of spiritual values and purpose on a civilizational scale. But if our built environment reflects our deeper spiritual intentions, the experience of the city can be a source of psychic uplift. So argues urban consultant Will Selman in his tour de force book Temenos: The Design and Experience of Urbanism as Spiritual Path. Selman begins with the assertion that the fundamental task of humanity, throughout time and across cultures, is the spiritual quest to awaken to greater insight and more conscious awareness. This is an evolutionary process on the personal and collective level, and, as he then illustrates, our built environments have an important role to play in that psycho-spiritual awakening. Temenos takes the reader on an eclectic journey through ancient mythology, shamanism, Jungian psychology, integral spirituality, sacred geometry, money and materialism, the history of suburban sprawl, and urbanism as storytelling, to name a few stops along the way to his final destination—a new approach to design he calls “Symbolic Urbanism,” based on the example of L’Enfant’s plan for Washington, DC. Using images and compelling storytelling, Temenos is an engaging read for spiritual seekers who desire to discover the potential of urban towns and cities to support their journey, and for advocates of urban placemaking who desire to infuse their work with a more soulful approach. -------------------------------------------- Will Selman, CNU-A, is a New Urbanist land planning consultant in Washington, DC and founder of the Institute for Symbolic Urbanism. A thirty-year member of the Congress for the New Urbanism, he is professionally focused on issues surrounding land development, zoning and comprehensive planning, the design of traditional walkable and sustainable mixed-use neighborhoods, community visioning and charrettes. #UrbanSpirit #SpiritualUrbanism #TemenosBook #InterviewWithAuthor #UrbanDesign #CityLife #UrbanAwakening #SymbolicUrbanism #SacredGeometry #JungianPsychology #SpiritualQuest #Placemaking #NewUrbanism #SoulfulCities #UrbanConsultant https://gettherapybirmingham.com/   Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/ Check out the youtube: https://youtube.com/@GetTherapyBirminghamPodcast Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.podbean.com/ Podcast Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/GetTherapyBirmingham/feed.xml Taproot Therapy Collective 2025 Shady Crest Drive | Hoover, Alabama 35216 Phone: (205) 598-6471 Fax: (205) 634-3647 Email: Admin@GetTherapyBirmingham.com The resources, videos and podcasts on our site and social media are no substitute for mental health treatment. Please find a qualified mental health provider and contact emergency services in your area in the event of an emergency to a provider in your area. Our number and email are only for scheduling at Taproot Therapy Collective are not monitored consistently and not a reliable resource for emergency services.