Understanding the Psychology Behind Deception and Emotional Manipulation Have you ever wondered if your business partner is a con artist? Perhaps you've noticed a pattern where their stories don't quite add up, where their accomplishments seem to exist only in...
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Welcome to the Taproot Therapy Collective Blog, your deep‑dive space into trauma‑informed therapy, depth psychology, and the cultural forces shaping mental health today. Authored by our licensed clinicians in Birmingham, Alabama, our posts span from Jungian insights and somatic healing to evidence‑based modalities like EMDR and neuromodulation, as well as explorations of micro‑nutrition and media psychology. Each article aims to illuminate how psyche, body, and society intertwine—whether we’re unpacking the weaponization of collective trauma in our digital era or investigating how somatic trauma mapping helps track pain that lives inside the body.
Our blog extends beyond Birmingham’s office walls, offering trusted guides on practices like dream analysis through a Jungian lens and methods for shadow work and intergenerational healing. We also highlight local pulse by sharing resources for therapists and mental health seekers in Alabama, from expressive‑arts workshops to CEU‑accredited community trainings. Designed for both mental health professionals and curious individuals, our writing bridges clinical depth with cultural relevance—engaging with everything from architecture’s psychological impact and mythology’s role in identity to design, film, ritual, and the intricate psychology underpinning conspiracy and belief systems.
If you seek a mental health conversation that honors both the interior journey and the social context we inhabit, explore our categorized sections—such as Neuroscience and the Brain, Mythology and Therapy, and Psychology of Media and Culture—to find articles that resonate. Join us as we map the roots of psychic distress while cultivating possibilities for growth, resilience, and meaningful connection.
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The Medicaid Crystal Ball: How Therapists Can Predict Insurance Trends and Build Sustainable Practices
The Hidden Pattern in Healthcare Policy For mental health practitioners, insurance policy changes often feel like unpredictable storms that disrupt practice operations, threaten revenue streams, and create administrative chaos. Yet beneath this apparent randomness...
Navigating 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Alabama Therapists on Upcoming Policy Changes
How Therapists Can Prepare For Insurance in 2025 As we move into 2025, Alabama's mental health landscape stands at a critical juncture. With Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL) proposing innovative healthcare models, ongoing antitrust settlements, and evolving...
The Weaponization of Collective Trauma: Understanding Digital-Age Psychological Manipulation
How Modern Data Mining and Microtargeting Exploit Our Deepest Wounds A Clinical Perspective on the Intersection of Trauma, Technology, and Political Manipulation In the therapy room, we witness daily how trauma shapes perception, decision-making, and emotional...
Everything You Need to Know About LMFT Licensure in Alabama
Marriage and family therapy in Alabama operates under a specialized licensing system overseen by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy (ABEMFT), requiring professionals to progress through a tiered licensure structure from intern to associate...
The Freud Legacy: Documentary Evidence of Cover-ups
Anna Freud's Impact on Freud's Biographical Scholarship The systematic efforts to control and sanitize the historical record surrounding Freud have had profound and lasting consequences for our understanding of psychoanalysis and its founder. The work of Frederick...
The Complete Alabama LPC Licensing Guide:
Everything You Need to Know About ALC, LPC, and Private Practice Professional counseling in Alabama operates under a two-tiered licensing system overseen by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC), requiring all counselors to begin as Associate Licensed...
The Complete Alabama Social Work Licensing Guide:
Everything You Need to Know About LMSW, LICSW, and Private Practice Social work licensing in Alabama has undergone major changes that every licensed social worker needs to understand. The most significant change is the complete elimination of the Professional...
Breaking Free from Codependent Patterns: A Jungian Approach to Healthy Interdependence
"I don't know where I end and he begins," Elena confessed, tears streaming down her face. "I've lost myself completely in this relationship. When Carlos is happy, I'm happy. When he's stressed, I'm stressed. When he needs something, I drop everything to help him. I...
The Relationship Mirror: How Your Partner Reflects Your Unconscious Patterns
"I keep attracting the same type of person," Marcus said, frustration evident in his voice. "Different faces, different backgrounds, but somehow I always end up with partners who are emotionally unavailable, highly critical, and make me feel like I'm walking on...
When Your Type Attracts Its Opposite: Understanding Psychological Compatibility and Conflict
"We're complete opposites," Lisa laughed during our first session, "and that's exactly what drew us together. I'm this detail-oriented, practical person who plans everything, and Jake is this big-picture visionary who lives in the moment. I loved his spontaneity, and...
The Golden Shadow in Relationships: Why We Fall for People Who Shine Too Bright
"He seemed perfect," Sarah said, tears streaming down her face. "Too perfect. David was everything I thought I wanted—confident, successful, charismatic, emotionally intelligent. Everyone loved him. I felt so lucky that someone like that would choose me. But now, six...
Why Your Relationship Keeps Having the Same Fight:
The Psychology of Recurring Conflicts "We're having the same fight again," Jessica said, exhaustion evident in her voice. "It doesn't matter what we start arguing about—money, household chores, time with friends—it always ends up in the exact same place. I'm the...
“5 Signs You’re Dating Your Shadow (And What to Do About It)”
Many of us find ourselves repeatedly attracting the same type of partner, despite our conscious desire for something different. Often, we're unconsciously drawn to people who carry our shadow—the disowned, unintegrated parts of ourselves. When we're "dating our...
“The Anima and Animus Test: Discover Your Inner Opposite in 10 Questions”
"The Anima and Animus Test: Discover Your Inner Opposite in 10 Questions" One of Carl Jung's most profound insights was that every person carries within them an image of the opposite gender—what he called the anima (feminine aspect in men) and animus (masculine aspect...
“The Hidden Psychology of Attraction: Why We Fall for Our Shadow Partners”
Have you ever wondered why you keep attracting the same type of person, even when you consciously want something different? Or why that initial spark of attraction sometimes leads to the most challenging relationships? The answer lies deep in your unconscious mind, in...
50 Recovery Creative Healing Resources in Birmingham-Hoover Metro:
Art, Music, and Expression for Recovery The intersection of creativity and recovery has proven transformative for individuals healing from addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges throughout the Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area. Inspired by innovative models...
50 Stress Management and Anxiety Relief Resources in Birmingham-Hoover Metro:
Evidence-Based Solutions for Mental Wellness In today's fast-paced world, residents of the Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area face mounting stress from work pressures, family responsibilities, and societal changes. Whether you're a busy professional in Mountain...
50 Family Therapy and Parenting Resources in Birmingham-Hoover Metro:
Supporting Families Through Every Stage Raising a family in the Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area comes with unique joys and challenges. Whether you're navigating toddler tantrums in Vestavia Hills, teen rebellion in Mountain Brook, or blended family dynamics in...
50 Mental Wellness Resources and Self-Care Spaces in Birmingham-Hoover Metro:
A Comprehensive Guide for Emotional Health Mental wellness is a journey that requires various forms of support, from professional therapy to community resources that nurture emotional health. For residents of the Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area, including...
Free Activities in Hoover and Birmingham Metro:
Whether you're a business professional in Hoover transitioning to a new phase of life, relocating to the Birmingham metro area, or seeking meaningful community connections throughout Jefferson and Shelby Counties, finding the right spaces and activities can transform...
The Algorithmic Dream and Human Reality: Why Psychotherapy Cannot Be Reduced to Code
The Birth of Computational Psychiatry: Joseph Weizenbaum and ELIZA In the winter of 1966, MIT professor Joseph Weizenbaum sat in his office at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, watching with growing unease as his secretary engaged in what appeared to be an...
Navigating Alabama’s Cannabis Restrictions: A Comprehensive Guide to Legal Changes and Alternative Treatment Options
As Alabama continues to navigate complex cannabis legislation, residents face significant changes that require careful understanding and preparation. Recent laws have reshaped the hemp industry in Alabama, with House Bill 445 taking effect on July 1, 2025, completely...
Subconscious vs Unconscious: The Epic Split Between Jung and Freud That Still Divides Psychology Today
Subconscious vs Unconscious: The Epic Split Between Jung and Freud That Still Divides Psychology Today Introduction: When Giants Collide The relationship between Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung represents one of the most dramatic breakups in intellectual history. What...
Interview on Photo Essay American Sugar Gristle by Toby Huss
Actor Toby Huss on Art, Trauma, and Finding Beauty in America's Forgotten Places: A Deep Dive into Creative Healing Buy the Book! Get Toby Huss's American Sugar Gristle Now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89zo1lyVFbM In a captivating podcast episode, acclaimed actor...
Preparing for Alabama’s New Mental Health Consent Laws: What Therapists Need to Know
Alabama's New School-Based Mental Health Consent Law: What School Counselors Need to Know SCOPE CLARIFICATION: Who SB 101 Actually Affects SB 101 applies SPECIFICALLY to in-school mental health services: ✅ WHO IS AFFECTED: Public school counselors School-based...
Attachment, Emotional Arcs, and Somatic Approaches: From Mary Main’s Revolutionary Research to Contemporary Therapeutic Integration
Mary Main's Groundbreaking Attachment Research Mary Main (1943-2023) transformed our understanding of attachment through her revolutionary contributions to developmental psychology and attachment research. As a protégé of Mary Ainsworth at Johns Hopkins University,...
Understanding Dissociation, Trauma, and Addiction: Insights from Adam O’Brien and the Wounded Healer Institute
A Revolutionary Approach to Mental Health In a groundbreaking interview between Joel Blackstock and Adam O'Brien, founder of the Wounded Healer Institute, we explore the profound interconnections between dissociation, trauma, and addiction that challenge conventional...
Coping with the Loss of a Beloved Pet
Grief, Healing, and Brainspotting for the Loss of a Pet The bond between humans and their animal companions is a powerful one. Pets provide us with unconditional love, emotional support, and constant companionship. They are a source of joy, laughter, and comfort. So...
Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars: A Psychotherapeutic Analysis of Systemic Control
The worn pages crackle under trembling fingers. Found tucked between dusty volumes in a government surplus sale box, the document bears no official seal, no classification stamps: just densely typed pages speaking of economic shock testing, biological warfare through...
In Remembrance of Leon Krier
All experience is past by definition. Tradition is transmission of past experience which has become knowledge and know-how. Thus, we can with reason conclude that without tradition, there can be no language, no philosophy, no science, no technique, art, or industry....
The Enduring Relevance of Alice Miller’s Drama of the Gifted Child
Why Therapists Must Consciously Embrace Their Wounded Healer Role Four decades after its publication, Alice Miller's "The Drama of the Gifted Child" remains one of the most important texts for understanding both the psychology of the helping professions and the hidden...
What is the Daimon? Tracing the Authentic Self Through the History of Psychotherapy
The concept of the daimon—an inner guiding force representing both our authentic self and the source of creative and healing potential—has appeared throughout the history of psychotherapy under various names and conceptualizations. From Socrates' divine sign to...
The Prescient Wisdom of Dr. Shoma Morita: Metacognition, Eastern Philosophy, and the Limits of Psychopharmacology
The Prescient Wisdom of Dr. Shoma Morita: Metacognition, Eastern Philosophy, and the Limits of Psychopharmacology In the early 20th century, while Western psychiatry was still grappling with Freudian theories and the nascent field of psychopharmacology, a Japanese...
Dan Schneider versus Child Psychology: A Cultural Reckoning
The Convenient Dismissal In 2018, Nickelodeon "parted ways" with Dan Schneider, their most profitable showrunner of the 2000s and 2010s. The timing was no accident. After decades of turning a blind eye to mounting complaints about his behavior—from verbal abuse to...
The Secret Carl Jung: Uncovering the Censored Material from Memories, Dreams, Reflections
Carl Jung remains an enduring subject of fascination, his life and ideas sparking impassioned debate over 60 years after his death. As the founder of analytical psychology, Jung pioneered the exploration of the unconscious mind, dream interpretation, archetypes, and...
Network (1976): The Prophet of Our Algorithmic Age
The Film That Saw Our Future In 1976, screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky and director Sidney Lumet released a film so prescient about the coming media landscape that audiences didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Network wasn't just satire—it was prophecy. Nearly fifty...
The Changing Images of Man: SRI’s Vision of Human Transformation Through the Lens of Jung, Campbell, and the Metamodern Era
A Controversial Blueprint for Human Consciousness "The Changing Images of Man" emerged in 1974 from the Stanford Research Institute as one of the most provocative and influential documents in the history of futures research. This comprehensive report, later published...
The Wounded Healer: Navigating Trauma, Intuition, and Projection in the Helping Professions
The Chiron Paradox In the constellation of Greek mythology, few figures embody the paradox of human suffering and healing as profoundly as Chiron, the wounded healer. Unlike his brutish centaur kin, Chiron was wise, gentle, and skilled in the arts of medicine, music,...
Joseph LeDoux and the Revolution in Trauma Therapy:
Understanding Memory Reconsolidation and the Neuroscience Behind Experiential Healing A Paradigm Shift in Understanding Emotional Memory For decades, the field of psychology operated under the assumption that emotional memories, particularly traumatic ones, were...
Beyond PTSD: Rethinking Trauma Diagnosis Through Memory Systems and Targeted Treatment
The Limitations of Current Trauma Diagnosis Leading trauma experts Gabor Maté and Bessel van der Kolk have long argued that the DSM-5's approach to trauma diagnosis fails to capture the complexity of how trauma manifests in different memory systems and...
Revisioning Psychotherapy: Beyond the Biomedical Model to Understand Consciousness and Neural Networks
The Limits of the Biomedical Model in Mental Health The biomedical model has dominated mental health treatment for decades, offering a structured framework for categorizing psychological symptoms into discrete disorders. While this approach has provided valuable...
Is EMDR Pseudoscience? Is EMDR Evidence Based?
The Complex Reality of EMDR in Clinical Practice Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) occupies a unique and controversial position in the landscape of trauma therapy. While some practitioners report remarkable results, researchers often express...
Adam Curtis’s Documentary Films: Emotional Truth Telling Through the Language of Conspiracy Theory
A Guide for Psychotherapists and Cultural Critics Why Psychotherapists Should Watch Adam Curtis For mental health professionals seeking to understand the cultural waters their clients swim in, Adam Curtis's documentaries offer an invaluable lens. His films map the...
The Weird History of Psychotherapy Part 5: The Perennial Philosophy
Socrates and the Daimon: The Ancient Shamanic Function Athens, 399 BCE. Socrates holds a cup of hemlock—poison that will kill him if he drinks it. His students beg him to flee; the guards would look the other way. He could escape to Thessaly and continue teaching....
The Weird History of Psychotherapy Part 4: Empty, Hollow, Thud or CBT and The Satanic Panic
How CBT Killed the Soul of Psychotherapy: The Rosenhan Experiment: A Prophecy Fulfilled In 1973, a psychiatric hospital received an unusual visitor. A man walked up to admissions and said simply, "I hear voices." When the psychiatrist asked what they said, he replied:...
The Weird History of Psychotherapy Part 3: Wilhelm Reich
From Reich's Orgone to CBT's Reductionism: How America Lost the Soul of Psychotherapy The Radical Pioneer Who Found Trauma in the Body In 1954, a wild-haired man stood in a field aiming a strange contraption of hollow metal tubes at the sky. This was Wilhelm Reich and...
THe Weird History of Psychotherapy Part 2: Jung’s and the Bottom of Consciousness
The Birth of Consciousness and the Human Dilemma: From 24,000 BCE to the Crisis of Modern Psychology https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjqONBMp4xc Around 24,000 BCE, a profound shift occurred in human evolution that would fundamentally alter the trajectory of our...
The Weird History of Psychotherapy Part 1: A Different Version of Your Dad
The Wounded Healer: How Freud's Trauma Shaped Modern Psychology Understanding the Origins of Psychoanalysis Through the Lens of Its Founder's Unresolved Wounds The story of Sigmund Freud is not merely the biography of psychology's most famous figure—it's a cautionary...
Understanding Our Political Moment Through Eric Voegelin:
A Guide for Immanentizing the Eschaton in Therapy Why a Dead German Philosopher Matters for Your Therapy Practice Picture this: You're sitting with a client who can't stop talking about how "the system is rigged," or maybe they're convinced that if only we could...
Explore the Articles by Categories on Our Blog
Blog Categories
Psychology Topics and Articles
A comprehensive exploration of psychology topics spanning the breadth of human experience, from fundamental concepts like memory and emotion to specialized areas like forensic psychology and environmental mental health.
Psychology Articles
Explore the fascinating world of psychology, from depth psychology and symbolism to cognitive, social, and developmental theories. Uncover the mysteries of the human mind and behavior.
Depth Psychology & Jungian Approaches
Jungian Therapy and Depth Psychology
Explore Jungian concepts such as archetypes, the collective unconscious, and individuation. Learn how dream analysis and symbolism facilitate self-awareness and personal growth through the insights of Carl Jung.
Dreams and the Unconscious
Explore the significance of dreams in depth psychology, from Freud’s dream interpretation to Jungian archetypes. Learn how dreams provide insights into the unconscious mind, personal growth, and trauma healing.
Symbolism and Meaning in Psychotherapy
Uncover the profound language of symbolism and meaning-making in the human psyche. Explore universal archetypes, myths, and metaphors through depth psychology and the symbolic dimensions of trauma.
Mythology and Therapy
Journey into the captivating world of classical mythology, focusing on the rich traditions of ancient Greece and Rome. Explore how myths offer profound insights into the human condition and universal themes.
Evidence-Based Practice & Research
Evidence Based Practice and Research Psychology
Explores the frontier of evidence-based practice in psychotherapy, taking a fresh look at the scientific foundations of mental health treatment through the integrative lenses of depth psychology and trauma neurology.
Evidence Based Practice in Therapy
Examines the complex landscape of research-informed therapy while critically evaluating the limitations, biases, and cultural considerations that shape how we apply research findings to real-world clinical practice.
Philosophy & Existential Approaches
Philosophy for Therapists
Explore existentialism, metaphysics, ethics, and the philosophy of mind. Discover insights from renowned thinkers and engage in thought-provoking discussions.
Phenomenology and Existential Psychology
Explore phenomenological and existential approaches to understanding human experience and psychological healing, focusing on lived experience, authenticity, freedom, and meaning-making.
Metamodernism and Deconstruction
Examine how post-postmodern frameworks illuminate contemporary mental health challenges including cultural displacement, narrative fragmentation, authenticity struggles, and the oscillation between hope and despair.
Psychology of Modernism Post Modernism and the Meta Modern
Explore the psychological dimensions of cultural paradigms and their impact on identity, meaning-making, and therapeutic practice.
Neuroscience & Brain-Based Approaches
Neuroscience and the Brain for Therapists
Delve into the intricate relationship between brain function, trauma, and mental health treatment. Discover insights into innovative therapeutic approaches, neuroplasticity, and the role of emotions in healing.
Media & Culture Psychology
Psychology of Film and TV
Explore the hidden dimensions of film and TV through the lenses of depth psychology and trauma neurology. Discover how the moving image reflects and shapes the psyche, both individually and collectively.
Psychology of Media and Culture
Explore the profound psychological and symbolic impact of media and culture on our individual and collective psyche. Uncover the hidden meanings and archetypal themes woven into the fabric of our cultural landscape.
Specialized Psychology Fields
Industrial Organisational Psychology
Explore Industrial-Organizational Psychology, focusing on workplace performance, employee well-being, leadership development, and organizational culture.
Psychology of Buildings and Architecture
Explore the psychology of design and architecture, from the emotional impact of spaces to human-centered design. Learn how architecture influences mental health, well-being, and behavior.
Color Psychology
Explore how colors influence psychological experience, from the neurological mechanisms behind color perception to practical applications in therapeutic environments and creative healing approaches.
Psychology of History
Explore the symbolic significance and psychological undercurrents of historical events through the lens of depth psychology, symbolism, and design psychology.
Psychology of Conspiracy Theories
Examine the psychological dynamics behind conspiracy thinking, critical thinking, and the appeal of alternative narratives in contemporary culture.
Anthropology & Cross-Cultural Psychology
Anthropology and Evolutionary Psychology for Therapy
Embark on a fascinating journey into the deep history of the human psyche, exploring how anthropology and evolutionary psychology shed light on ancient origins of modern minds, behaviors, and cultures.
Spiritual & Religious Approaches
Christian Mysticism in Therapy
Discover the transformative power of Christian mysticism and contemplative spirituality, exploring how practices like centering prayer and lectio divina can heal trauma and facilitate encounters with the deep Self.
Spirituality and The Transcendent Function in Psychotherapy
Explore the intersection of spirituality and depth psychology to uncover the role of spiritual practices in trauma healing, consciousness, and personal transformation.
Comparative Religion for Therapy
Discover the universal quest for meaning, transcendence, and healing across spiritual traditions, exploring key practices and insights from world religions through depth psychology and trauma neurology.
Psychology of Mystics, Gurus, and Spiritual Philosophers
Examine the psychological dimensions of mystical experience and spiritual teaching across various traditions and historical periods.
Specialized Treatment & High-Control Groups
Cults and High Control Group Psychology
Explore the shadowy psychodynamics of coercive control, from cults to abusive relationships. Learn to recognize red flags of undue influence and support recovery processes.
History & Biographical Studies
History of Psychotherapy
Trace the evolution of psychotherapy through the lens of depth psychology and symbolism, from Freudian psychoanalysis to contemporary approaches.
Psychotherapy Biographies: Historical Figures in the History of Psychology
Explore the lives and contributions of influential figures who shaped the field of psychology and psychotherapy.
Models of Psychotherapy
Explore depth psychology, CBT, humanistic therapies, and more. Discover how various therapeutic approaches promote healing and personal growth.
Holistic & Alternative Approaches
Alternative Medicine and Holistic Health
Discover a deeper approach to health and healing by exploring alternative medicine practices and holistic wellbeing through the lenses of depth psychology and trauma neurology.
Guided Meditations for Therapy
Comprehensive collection of guided meditations designed to support mental health, emotional regulation, and spiritual well-being.
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