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History of Psychology: From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Practice

Tracing the Evolution of Mental Health Understanding Through Time

Welcome to Taproot Therapy Collective’s exploration of psychology’s rich historical development, from ancient philosophical inquiries into human nature to contemporary neuroscience research. Our history of psychology content examines how different eras, cultures, and thinkers have shaped our understanding of mental health, consciousness, and therapeutic healing.

What You’ll Find in These Articles

Our historical psychology articles trace major developments from ancient Greek and Roman approaches to mental illness through medieval spiritual healing traditions, Enlightenment rational approaches, and the emergence of modern psychological schools. We explore how figures like William James, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and B.F. Skinner revolutionized mental health understanding while examining lesser-known contributors whose work influences contemporary practice.

You’ll discover how historical events, cultural shifts, and scientific discoveries shaped psychological theories while learning about forgotten approaches that are finding new relevance in modern therapy. We examine both progress and mistakes in psychology’s development, including harmful practices that remind us to remain humble about current knowledge.

Connecting Past and Present

These pieces show how historical insights inform the therapeutic approaches detailed on our main services page, from understanding psychoanalytic foundations underlying modern depth work to seeing how behaviorist research shapes contemporary evidence-based practices explored in our psychology and research section.

We explore recurring themes across psychological history, patterns of scientific revolution and paradigm shifts, and how ancient wisdom traditions continue influencing contemporary therapeutic innovation.

Regional Mental Health History

Our articles often examine Southern and Birmingham mental health history, from historical treatments and attitudes to the region’s contributions to psychological research and the impact of social movements on local mental health understanding and practice.

Contact Taproot Therapy Collective: 📍 2025 Shady Crest Dr. Suite 203, Hoover, AL 35216
📞 (205) 598-6471
🌐 www.GetTherapyBirmingham.com
🎧 Podcast: gettherapybirmingham.podbean.com

Discover + Heal + Grow with Taproot Therapy Collective – Birmingham’s resource for understanding psychology’s historical development and its influence on contemporary mental health practice.

John C. Lilly: When Dolphins, Drugs, and the Deep End of Consciousness Collided in the Psychedelic ’70s

John C. Lilly: When Dolphins, Drugs, and the Deep End of Consciousness Collided in the Psychedelic ’70s

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 The Mad Scientist Who Made Flipper Look Like a Documentary Picture this: It's 1965, and while most scientists are content with their lab coats and microscopes, one maverick researcher is floating in a pitch-black tank filled with body-temperature salt water, high on ketamine, trying to establish interspecies communication with dolphins. No, this isn't the plot of a B-movie (though it inspired several). This was Tuesday for Dr. John C. Lilly, the neuroscientist who took "thinking outside the box" to mean...

The Psychology of the Katana: Spiritual Lessons from Japanese Swordcraft

The Psychology of the Katana: Spiritual Lessons from Japanese Swordcraft

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The Intersection of Metallurgy, Spirituality, and Personal Growth The Japanese katana represents far more than a masterfully crafted weapon—it embodies a rich tapestry of psychological and spiritual traditions that have shaped Eastern philosophy for centuries. This exploration of the katana's psychological dimensions offers valuable insights for modern therapeutic approaches to personal development, mental clarity, and self-actualization. The Metallurgical Marvel: Understanding the Katana's Physical Properties...

Unraveling the Mystery of the Roman Dodecahedra:

Unraveling the Mystery of the Roman Dodecahedra:

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   An In-Depth Exploration of the Orphic Cult Object Theory Among the most enigmatic artifacts from the ancient world are the so-called Roman dodecahedra - small, hollow, twelve-faced polyhedrons made of bronze or stone, each face featuring a circular hole of varying diameter. Approximately 100 such objects, dated primarily to the 2nd-4th centuries CE, have been unearthed across the expanse of the former Roman Empire, with particular concentrations in the western provinces of Gaul and Britain. Despite...

10 Surprising Facts About The Odyssey That Will Change How You See The Epic

10 Surprising Facts About The Odyssey That Will Change How You See The Epic

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Homer's epic poem The Odyssey is one of the most well-known works of literature, detailing Odysseus's epic 10-year journey home after the Trojan War. But even die-hard fans of the classic may be surprised by some of the fascinating details hidden within its 24 books. In this post, we'll dive deep into 10 mind-blowing facts about The Odyssey that shed new light on the ancient masterpiece. From the mystery identity of the lotus plant to the story's surprising sequel, these tidbits will make you see Odysseus's...

The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy: Origins, Techniques, and Modern Relevance

The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy: Origins, Techniques, and Modern Relevance

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What is The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy? The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy is an influential approach to working with couples that was pioneered by Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson in the 1980s. Drawing on attachment theory, object relations, differentiation, and developmental psychology, the model conceptualizes the growth of intimate relationships through a series of predictable stages. By understanding a couple's developmental stage, level of differentiation, and attachment patterns,...

The Unfinished Legacy of Alfred Adler: Revisioning Psychology for Social Transformation

The Unfinished Legacy of Alfred Adler: Revisioning Psychology for Social Transformation

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"The human psyche is shaped by the interplay between inner drives and outer cultural forces. For every dominant social pattern, the unconscious generates a compensatory movement, seeking to restore balance and wholeness. By understanding these cultural-psychological dynamics, we can work towards greater self-awareness, social responsibility, and holistic well-being." -Alfred Adler Who Was Alfred Adler? Alfred Adler (1870-1937) was an Austrian medical doctor, psychotherapist, and founder of the school of...

A Timeline of The Development of Psychotherapy

A Timeline of The Development of Psychotherapy

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How did Psychotherapy Change Over Time? Timeline of Psychotherapy Timeline 1890s: The birth of psychoanalysis with Sigmund Freud 1900s-1910s: Emergence of competing schools (Adler's Individual Psychology, Jung's Analytical Psychology) Influence of Bleuler Structuralism vs functionalism debate 1920s: Expansion of psychoanalysis Rise of child analysis (Anna Freud, Melanie Klein) Development of sandplay therapy (Margaret Lowenfeld) 1930s-1940s: Impact of World War II Development of ego psychology and neo-Freudian...

The Mummy: A Cultural, Historical, and Anthropological Perspective

The Mummy: A Cultural, Historical, and Anthropological Perspective

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A History of the Mummy: Mummies have long held a place of fascination in the human imagination, serving as enduring symbols of ancient civilizations and the mysteries of life and death. From the carefully preserved remains of ancient Egyptian pharaohs to the naturally mummified bodies discovered in bogs and glaciers, mummies provide a tantalizing glimpse into the past and offer insights into the beliefs, practices, and cultural values of the societies that created them (Aufderheide, 2003). By examining mummies...

The Vampire: An Anthropological and Historical Exploration

The Vampire: An Anthropological and Historical Exploration

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Why do we believe in Vampires? Vampires have long captured the human imagination, appearing in the folklore, literature, and popular culture of societies across the globe. These enigmatic figures, often depicted as undead beings who sustain themselves by feeding on the life essence of the living, have roots that run deep in human history and mythology (Beresford, 2008). The persistent fascination with vampires can be attributed to their ability to embody and reflect the fears, desires, and cultural anxieties of...

The Evolution of Halloween Costumes

The Evolution of Halloween Costumes

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Costumes as a Reflection of Societal Change  Halloween, celebrated annually on October 31st, has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on this night, the boundary between the world of the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to cross over. To ward off evil spirits and disguise themselves, people wore costumes made from animal skins, leaves, and other natural materials. As Halloween evolved over...

The Sullivanian Institute: Anatomy of an Urban Psychotherapy Cult

The Sullivanian Institute: Anatomy of an Urban Psychotherapy Cult

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What was the "Sullivans" Psychotherapy Cult? The Sullivanian Institute, a notorious psychotherapy cult that operated in New York City from the 1950s through the 1980s, exemplifies the adage that in cults, nothing good is original and nothing original is good. Many of its core practices and beliefs were repackaged from other psychological models, religious traditions, and scientific theories: The emphasis on interpersonal dynamics in therapy sessions was adapted from the work of psychiatrist Harry Stack Sullivan,...

The Anima of the Great Gatsby and the Animus of History

The Anima of the Great Gatsby and the Animus of History

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  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 work that can speak to both the sparkle of spectacle and the timeless inevitable real it distracts us from. The Great Gatsby was an immediate success and then forgotten and then rediscovered. It was forgotten because the Jazz age was a, beautiful...

The Chrysanthemum and The Sword: Guilt, Shame, and Cultural Trauma in Psychotherapy

The Chrysanthemum and The Sword: Guilt, Shame, and Cultural Trauma in Psychotherapy

"The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" by Ruth Benedict, a landmark in cultural psychology, provides deep insights into the dynamics of guilt and shame within different cultures. Commissioned covertly as an exercise in weaponized anthropology by the OSS, now called the CIA, this book was originally intended to help Americans understand Japanese culture for post-war business and diplomatic relations. It offers an unparalleled window into how societies process trauma and how these mechanisms shape cultural identities....

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