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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. Our goal is to be a trusted, authoritative resource for individuals and professionals seeking to understand the complex links between the psyche, the body, and society.
As a YMYL (Your Money, Your Life) resource, we prioritize E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). Every article is authored and clinically reviewed by our team of licensed therapists in Birmingham, Alabama. Our writers share their firsthand clinical experience and deep expertise in fields ranging from Jungian insights and somatic healing to cutting-edge, evidence-based modalities.
Our blog explores the forefront of mental health, including:
While our insights are relevant globally, we are rooted in the Birmingham community. We regularly share resources for therapists and mental health seekers in Alabama. Our writing bridges clinical depth with cultural relevance, designed to help you find articles that resonate and cultivate new possibilities for growth, resilience, and meaningful connection.
The Psychologist of the Sacred In a secular age, many people feel spiritually homeless. They cannot return to the dogmas of traditional religion, yet they cannot live in the cold emptiness of materialism. Lionel Corbett (b. 1945) is the Jungian analyst who speaks most...
The Psychologist of the Pagan Heart In the landscape of depth psychology, Ginette Paris (b. 1945) stands as a fierce advocate for a "polytheistic psychology." While classical psychoanalysis often seeks to unify the self under a single ego, Paris argues that the human...
Who is Victor Turner? Victor Turner (1920-1983) was a pioneering British cultural anthropologist whose innovative theories of symbols, ritual, and performance transformed the study of human society and culture. Over a prolific career spanning four decades, Turner...
The Cartographer of the Deep Psyche In the mid-20th century, psychiatry was dominated by two rigid maps: the psychoanalytic map, which traced all neurosis back to childhood, and the behaviorist map, which reduced human experience to stimulus and response. Stanislav...
Who is Allan Shore? Allan N. Schore, Ph.D. is a pioneering researcher and theoretician whose work has revolutionized our understanding of human development, the emergence of the self, and the process of therapeutic change. Drawing on cutting-edge research from...
Steven Mithen: The Archaeologist of Cognitive Fluidity While Carl Jung explored the psyche through dreams and myths, Steven Mithen (b. 1960) explores it through flint axes and fossil records. A British archaeologist and anthropologist, Mithen has bridged the gap...
The Architect of Transitions Life is a series of crossings. We cross from childhood to adulthood, from single to married, from work to retirement, from life to death. But how do we cross safely? Arnold van Gennep (1873–1957) was the first anthropologist to recognize...
The Man Who Brought the Gods to the West Before Joseph Campbell taught us to "Follow Your Bliss," there was Heinrich Zimmer. A German Indologist and linguistic genius, Zimmer was the intellectual father figure who introduced both Campbell and Carl Jung to the vibrant,...
The Midwife of the Symbolic Life In the 1970s, as the West was convulsing with cultural revolutions, June Singer (1920–2004) emerged as one of the most vital voices in Jungian psychology. She was not content to keep analysis in the ivory tower. Singer believed that...
The Psychologist of the Embodied Mind In the traditional view of cognitive science—often referred to as the "computational theory of mind"—the brain is viewed as a biological computer. It sits isolated inside the skull, processing inputs from the senses and generating...
The Royal Road to the Shadow In Jungian psychology, a dream is not a random firing of neurons; it is a letter from the Self. Carl Jung argued that the psyche is a self-regulating system, and dreams are its primary mechanism for restoring balance. When we ignore our...
The Royal Road to the Unconscious In the world of depth psychology, dreams are not random neurological firings; they are letters from the Self. Carl Jung famously broke from Freud’s view that dreams were merely disguised wish-fulfillments. Instead, Jung argued that...
The Monk Who Returned Soul to the World In 1992, a quiet book by a former Catholic monk exploded onto the bestseller lists, staying there for 46 weeks. That book was Care of the Soul, and the author was Thomas Moore (b. 1940). In a culture obsessed with "fixing" the...
Who is David Tacey? David Tacey (1953-) is a prominent Australian scholar and thinker known for his unique contributions bridging analytical psychology, spirituality, and cultural studies. As a leading figure in post-Jungian thought, Tacey has built upon and extended...
The Historian Who Rescued the Soul of Psychology In the history of depth psychology, there is a distinct "Before 2009" and "After 2009." Before 2009, Analytical Psychology was a field largely defined by clinical hearsay, sanitized publications, and a rigid adherence...
The Guide through the Middle Passage In the first half of life, we are driven by the ego's need for achievement, validation, and security. But often, somewhere around age 40, the "program" stops working. A sense of emptiness, depression, or panic sets in. This is not...
The Bridge Between the Sacred and the Clinical In the history of analytical psychology, Gerhard Adler (1904–1988) occupies a vital but often overlooked position. While figures like Marie-Louise von Franz focused on the archaic depths of fairy tales and alchemy, Adler...
The Bridge Between the Sacred and the Clinical In the history of analytical psychology, Gerhard Adler (1904–1988) occupies a vital but often overlooked position. While figures like Marie-Louise von Franz focused on the archaic depths of fairy tales and alchemy, Adler...
The Bridge Between Culture and the Unconscious In the vast topography of the human psyche, Carl Jung mapped two primary territories: the Personal Unconscious (memories, repressed complexes) and the Collective Unconscious (universal archetypes). However, a crucial...
The Architect of the Developmental School In the world of analytical psychology, Michael Fordham (1905–1995) is the figure who dared to bring Carl Jung down from the mythic clouds and into the nursery. While the classical school in Zurich focused on alchemy, adult...
The Artist of the Unconscious In the inner circle of Carl Jung, there were theoreticians who built complex intellectual systems, and there were practitioners who lived the psychology in their bones. Barbara Hannah (1891–1986) belonged firmly to the latter group. A...
The Matriarch of Analytical Psychology History often remembers Emma Jung (1882–1955) merely as the wife of Carl Jung. However, this reduction misses the reality: Emma was a formidable analyst, scholar, and the stabilizing force behind the entire Jungian movement....
The Biologist of the Unconscious For much of the 20th century, depth psychology and evolutionary biology were enemies. Biology viewed the mind as a machine for survival, while psychology viewed it as a realm of meaning and symbol. Anthony Stevens (1933–2021) was the...
The Great Systematizer of the Soul Carl Jung was a visionary, a mystic, and a genius, but he was notoriously disorganized. His concepts were scattered across thousands of pages of letters, seminars, and dense books. It was Jolande Jacobi (1890–1973) who took the...
The Evolution of Consciousness and the Great Mother In the vast landscape of analytical psychology, Erich Neumann (1905–1960) stands as the great systematizer. While Carl Jung was the explorer who discovered the new continent of the collective unconscious, Neumann was...
The Empress of the Psyche In the constellation of analytical psychology, Carl Jung is the sun, but Marie-Louise von Franz (1915–1998) is the moon who illuminated the darkest corners of the night. A brilliant scholar, linguist, and analyst, von Franz was not merely...
The Renegade of the Psyche In the quiet, often reverent halls of analytical psychology, James Hillman (1926–2011) was the shout that shattered the silence. He was a Jungian who dared to critique Jung, a psychologist who argued that therapy often makes things worse,...
The Architect of the Mature Psyche In the landscape of post-Jungian psychology, few figures have mapped the deep structures of the human personality with the precision of Robert Moore, Ph.D. (1942–2016). A psychoanalyst, theologian, and Distinguished Service Professor...
The Metamodern Oscillation: Faith, Doubt, and the Digital Soul We are living in a moment of cultural vertigo. The old maps of the 20th century—the rigid certainty of Modernism and the cynical deconstruction of Postmodernism—no longer describe the territory. We have...
The Demon in the Bottle: A Jungian Approach to Recovery In the depths of addiction, the drinker or user often feels possessed. It is not merely a "bad habit" or a "chemical dependency"; it feels like a distinct personality has taken the wheel. In Jungian psychology,...
The Mystic of the Sonian Forest In the quiet solitude of the Sonian Forest near Brussels, a 14th-century mystic named Jan van Ruusbroec (1293–1381) mapped the landscape of the human soul with a precision that rivals modern psychoanalysis. Known as the "Admirable...
The Doctor Illuminatus of the Rhineland In the 14th century, a spiritual plague swept through Europe alongside the physical Black Death. Amidst this chaos, a German Dominican friar named Johannes Tauler (c. 1300–1361) emerged as a voice of profound psychological...
The Cardinal of Paradox: Bridging the Medieval and the Modern In the transition from the rigid structures of the Middle Ages to the fluid creativity of the Renaissance, one mind stands as the supreme architect of the bridge: Nicholas of Cusa (1401–1464). A German...
The Irish Mystic Who Synthesized East and West In the dark intellectual winter of the 9th century, a singular voice emerged from Ireland to illuminate the Carolingian court of Charles the Bald. John Scottus Eriugena (c. 815–877) was not merely a theologian; he was a...
The Radical Pantheism of Amalric of Bena In the constellation of medieval mystics, few stars burned as brightly—or were extinguished as violently—as Amalric of Bena (died c. 1205). A theologian at the University of Paris, Amalric proposed a vision of God so radical...
The Mystic of Paradox: Johannes Scheffler's Transformation In the history of Christian mysticism, few figures are as polarizing and profound as Angelus Silesius. Born Johannes Scheffler in 1624, amidst the chaos of the Thirty Years' War, he began his life as a...
The Mysterious Monk of Divine Darkness In the history of Western thought, few figures are as enigmatic or as influential as Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite. Writing under the pseudonym of a convert of St. Paul mentioned in Acts 17:34, this mysterious 5th or...
I. Introduction: The Bishop Who Calculated the Light In the modern world, we operate under a convenient fiction: that science and spirituality are non-overlapping magisteria. We are told that one deals with facts, the other with meaning, and never the twain shall...
The Everywhen and the Architecture of the Psyche In the Western psychological tradition, there is an obsession with linearity. Lives are viewed as straight lines moving irrevocably from birth to death, cause to effect, trauma to symptom. However, the oldest continuous...
I. Introduction: The Invention of the Interior Standing before the Dolmen de Menga in Antequera, Spain, one is not merely looking at a tomb; one is witnessing the birth of the human psyche as a spatial construct. When Neolithic humans moved 180-ton stones to create an...
The Neurobiology of Original Sin The human psyche is not a single, unified commander. It is a committee of rivals, often screaming over one another for control of the steering wheel. This internal fracture is not merely a poetic metaphor for the human condition; it is...
The Divided Mind and the Quest for Meaning Part 1 > Part 2 < Part 3 The Divided Mind and the Quest for Meaning: Integrating Ego, Archetype, and Reality I. Introduction The human psyche is not a singular, unified entity; it is a layered landscape...
The Divided Mind and the Quest for Meaning Series Part 1: The Meta-Modern Condition | Part 2: The Clinical Reality The Meta-Modern Mind: Navigating Truth in the Age of "Foam" We are living through a crisis of meaning. It is not merely a political divide or a...
Unveiling the Complexities of Dissociation: Theories, Brain Processes, Types, and Treatment Options Dissociation is a perplexing and often misunderstood mental phenomenon that has captured the attention of researchers, clinicians, and the general public alike. It is...
Key Ideas The purpose and point of games in human motivation and well-being Transactional analysis and the psychology of human relationships Unconscious games and their role in shaping behavior and emotions Gamification and its impact on intrinsic motivation...
Key Points: Psychotherapy is facing an identity and purpose crisis in the era of market-driven healthcare, as depth, nuance, and the therapeutic relationship are being displaced by cost containment, standardization, and mass-reproducibility. This crisis stems from a...
Who was Saul Kripke Saul Kripke, a philosopher whose influence has reverberated through the intellectual landscape of the 20th century, is a name often associated with groundbreaking work in the philosophy of language, logic, and metaphysics. His ideas, though rooted...
What does Ludwig Wittgenstein have to do with Psychology? Ludwig Wittgenstein, a towering figure in 20th-century philosophy, left a profound impact on our understanding of language, meaning, and the human experience. His groundbreaking ideas, particularly those...
The Expansive Decadent Ego of the Animus and the Introspective Bust and Decline of the Anima as Parts of Empire Cultures wax and wane. Empires that seem like part of the cosmos itself fall like gunshot victims into a pool or lines on a bar chart. It is the rare...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Explore existentialism, metaphysics, ethics, and the philosophy of mind. Discover insights from renowned thinkers and engage in thought-provoking discussions.
Explore phenomenological and existential approaches to understanding human experience and psychological healing, focusing on lived experience, authenticity, freedom, and meaning-making.
Examine how post-postmodern frameworks illuminate contemporary mental health challenges including cultural displacement, narrative fragmentation, authenticity struggles, and the oscillation between hope and despair.
Explore the psychological dimensions of cultural paradigms and their impact on identity, meaning-making, and therapeutic practice.
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.
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.
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.
Explore Industrial-Organizational Psychology, focusing on workplace performance, employee well-being, leadership development, and organizational culture.
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.
Explore how colors influence psychological experience, from the neurological mechanisms behind color perception to practical applications in therapeutic environments and creative healing approaches.
Explore the symbolic significance and psychological undercurrents of historical events through the lens of depth psychology, symbolism, and design psychology.
Examine the psychological dynamics behind conspiracy thinking, critical thinking, and the appeal of alternative narratives in contemporary culture.
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.
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.
Explore the intersection of spirituality and depth psychology to uncover the role of spiritual practices in trauma healing, consciousness, and personal transformation.
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.
Examine the psychological dimensions of mystical experience and spiritual teaching across various traditions and historical periods.
Explore the shadowy psychodynamics of coercive control, from cults to abusive relationships. Learn to recognize red flags of undue influence and support recovery processes.
Trace the evolution of psychotherapy through the lens of depth psychology and symbolism, from Freudian psychoanalysis to contemporary approaches.
Explore the lives and contributions of influential figures who shaped the field of psychology and psychotherapy.
Explore depth psychology, CBT, humanistic therapies, and more. Discover how various therapeutic approaches promote healing and personal growth.
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.
Comprehensive collection of guided meditations designed to support mental health, emotional regulation, and spiritual well-being.