In the medieval period it was common to take pilgrimages to the holy land from mainland Europe. The trip was an opportunity to face one’s fears and learn to know the deepest parts of self. The trip was long and dangerous. The terrain and culture were different from anything that pilgrims had seen back home. Along the way the pilgrims prayed, fasted and sought inner peace to prepare to be close to God. The pilgrimage to the holy land was a metaphor for Jesus’s life and journey much like the stations of the cross....
What Happens to the Eye During a Brainspotting Therapy Session?
Brainspotting is a revolutionary new therapy for trauma and PTSD. We use many modalities of therapy at Taproot Therapy Collective, but brainspotting is one of the most effective treatments for PTSD and lowering anxiety that I've ever found. when doing brain spotting the therapist looks for a position where your eye blinks and dilates. Many patients wonder what their eye looks like so I created this video to show you what I'm seeing when I do brain spotting on a patient. The eye you see in the video is my own eye...
Book Review: Erich Neumann’s The Origins and History of Consciousness
Jungian Thought with a Unique Perspective on Ego Development in Mythology Erich Neumann's "The Origins and History of Consciousness" is a dense and relatively early exploration of Jungian psychology. The book not only delves into the intricate web of myths and archetypes but also introduces a unique concept that sheds light on the evolution of ego consciousness within the human species across time using mythological and religious development. While Neumann's work is ambitious and commendable, it is not perfect. I...
I Speak, Therefore I Am; Don’t you think?
So different from the Midwest, where the possibilities sprawled bright and endless in every direction. He wondered if people in the Himalayas and Andes were affected similarly. Did they live in the passive voice, as if their lives were not really happening but instead were memories fixed and immutable? -The World Made Straight, by Ron Rash The Psychology of Language: In the beginning of the book The World Made Straight a latin professor contemplates if the detachment of living in the mountains of Appalachian...
Book Review of of Aztec Philosophy by James Maffie
Unlocking the Mysteries of Aztec Philosophy When Hernán Cortés and his expedition arrived in the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán, in 1519, they were initially received with curiosity and even reverence by the Aztec emperor, Montezuma II.The Aztecs, interpreting the arrival of the Spanish as a potentially significant event, offered gifts and welcomed them with hospitality. In one encounter, Cortés asked Montezuma about his beliefs, inquiring about the Spanish understanding of God. Montezuma's response was cryptic and...
6 Pseudoscientific and Disproven Approaches in Psychotherapy: Debunking Myths and Dangers
Innovation and experimentation in psychotherapy is a crucial part of figuring out how to help individuals address and overcome various mental health issues. Hopefully these new developments are developed in compassionate and informed collaboration with patients, practiced ethically, and later verified with the scientific method and research. While many evidence-based therapeutic techniques have proven effective, some pseudoscientific approaches have emerged over the years, promising miraculous results but failing...
Getting stuck in therapy as a provider or a patient? Here are 80 different therapy interventions to try!
Are you a new therapist wanting to try some new interventions or a seasoned therapist that is looking for a fresh approach? Try our "cheat sheet" of 80 different therapy techniques from the history of the profession. They might point you in a good direction to research or learn more about something you didnt know about. Many of these are explained on our blog, youtube, podcast, and free therapy worksheets pages too! 1. Visualization Therapy How it works: Clients convert feelings or events into mental images and...
Unlocking the Future of Mental Health: Synergistic Nutrition and Promising Pathways
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, science is continually pushing boundaries to uncover novel approaches for improving mental health. One promising avenue gaining traction is synergistic nutrition – a concept where specific combinations of nutrients work together to optimize brain function. While much of this technology is still in its research phase, modern studies are pointing towards exciting pathways that may revolutionize mental health treatment in the future. In this article, we will explore the...
Microglia’s Potential Role in the Future of Mental Health, Trauma, and Addiction Treatment: Insights from Nakazawa and McGilchrist
In recent years, the study of microglia, the often-overlooked brain cells, has gained remarkable attention in the field of neuroscience. This newfound focus on microglia is not without reason. Emerging research, particularly the work of Donna Jackson Nakazawa and Iain McGilchrist, has shed light on the pivotal role these tiny cells may play in shaping the future of mental health, trauma, and addiction treatment. In this essay, we will explore the potential implications of microglia research in revolutionizing our...
What does QEEG Brain Mapping and Neurostimulation Feel Like?
I pride myself on, not only having been trained in all of the models of therapy I practice, but also in having been in them as a patient. When I got my comparative religion degree we often talked about the "ah" one experiences while studying how a religion works. In certain cases this was followed by an "ahah" when somewhere along the investigation and research of religion a student feels moved by the numinous quality of what they study. The "ahah" is important in psychotherapy because it is what allows the...
“Unveiling Deception and Devotion: Unraveling Matt Hongoltz Hetling’s ‘If It Sounds Like a Quack'”
Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling is a freelance journalist specializing in narrative features and investigative reporting. He has been named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, won a George Polk Award, and been voted Journalist of the Year by the Maine Press association, among numerous other honors. His work has appeared in Foreign Policy, USA Today, Popular Science, Atavist Magazine, Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, the Associated Press, and elsewhere. Welcome to an intellectually stimulating episode that...
A look back at the most popular articles from the blog
You might have missed some of the most popular posts from the history of our blog and podcast. Remember, Taproot Therapy Collective is only 3 years old, and only 2 years old if you count the birth of the “collective” as there being more therapists than just myself. GetTherapyBirmingham.com has grown quickly, and I wanted to collate some of our most popular and most reshared posts from our blog podcast and social media. We try to write about the state of the art approaches in psychotherapy and trauma treatment. We...