Our blog is designed as a resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of the human psyche and its expression through culture, therapy, and history. Below, you'll find an overview of the diverse topics we cover and an invitation to explore the categories that resonate most with your interests. Jungian Innovators Dive into the foundational ideas of depth psychology with articles that celebrate the works of Jungian visionaries such as Carl Jung, James Hillman, Marie-Louise von Franz, and more. These...
Can Jungian Archetypes be Evidence-Based?
Examining the Science and Cultural Manifestations of Archetypal Psychology The concept of archetypes is a central pillar of Carl Jung's analytical psychology. Jung proposed that there are universal patterns or images that shape the human psyche and emerge symbolically across cultures and throughout history. He called these primordial images "archetypes" and believed they reside in the "collective unconscious," a layer of the psyche that is inherited rather than shaped by personal experience alone. But are Jungian...
Reclaiming the Soul of Psychology: Recentering the Study of Consciousness in Psychotherapy
Psychology, as a field, stands at a critical juncture. Over the past few decades, the focus has shifted away from the fundamental nature of human consciousness and towards a more mechanistic, symptom-focused approach to mental health. Manualized therapies, diagnostic checklists, and a preoccupation with "evidence-based" practices have come to dominate the landscape, threatening to reduce the rich tapestry of human experience to a set of computerized algorithms. As a graduate student, I remember feeling a deep...
Gnosticism as a Metaphor for Consciousness: Meaning, Evolution, and Healing
Gnosticism as a Metaphor for Consciousness: Meaning, Evolution, and Healing Gnosticism is an ancient spiritual and philosophical worldview that offers a profound metaphor for the nature and dilemmas of human consciousness. While Gnosticism should not be taken as a literal philosophy or religion to adopt wholesale, it provides a powerful lens for exploring the ways we as conscious beings make meaning, how we evolved psychologically over time, and potential pathways for healing trauma by reconnecting with deeper...
The Healing Power of Humor: Finding Light in the Darkness of Trauma
The Counterintuitive Role of Humor in Trauma Recovery There exists a seeming paradox in the realm of trauma therapy: the juxtaposition of humor against the backdrop of suffering. For those grappling with PTSD and the horrific aspects of life that create it, the idea of finding anything funny may feel not just counterintuitive but downright impossible. Yet humor, used skilfully, is one of the most powerful tools we have for exploring and integrating even the darkest of human experiences. Stand-Up Comedians:...
Exploring Science, Pseudoscience, and the Supernatural: An Interview with Matt Hongoltz-Hetling on The Ghost Lab
Matt Hongoltz-Hetling on The Ghost Lab: Science, Pseudoscience, and the Supernatural Welcome back to the Taproot Therapy Collective podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Matt Hongoltz-Hetling, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and George Polk Award winner, to discuss his latest book, The Ghost Lab, available for preorder and set to release on May 20th. Known for his incisive investigative journalism, Matt delves into the world of paranormal research, exploring its intersections with science, pseudoscience, and...
The Power of Archetype Meditation: Unlocking Inner Healing Through Jungian Archetypes
In a fast-paced world filled with stress and disconnection, finding a path to inner peace and self-discovery is more important than ever. Archetype meditation, a transformative practice rooted in Jungian psychology and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, offers a profound way to reconnect with the multiplicity of your psyche. This blog post dives deep into the ideas, influences, techniques, and purpose of archetype meditation, spotlighting a powerful guided meditation by Joel from the Tapoo Therapy Collective...
Mapping Your Shadow: A Somatic Approach to Jungian Shadow Work
In the journey of self-discovery and psychological healing, few paths go as deep as shadow work. Today, I want to share insights from our recent meditation session that explores the intersection of Jungian shadow work, somatic experiencing, and other post-Jungian therapeutic approaches. This meditation represents an evolution of how I integrate various therapeutic modalities to help people connect with and transform their relationship to the shadow aspects of their psyche. The Theoretical Foundation This...
The Sacred Pond: A Guided Meditation for Releasing Anger and Resentment
If you find yourself weighed down by anger, resentment, or a sense of heavy obligation, this guided meditation offers a pathway to peace and freedom. Through the power of visualization and embodied mindfulness, you will journey deep into a tranquil forest to release your burdens and reconnect with your inherent wholeness. As you shed layers of tension and trauma, you may discover that it's possible to be responsible while also feeling joyful, to embrace your humanity while standing tall in your singular strength....
Transforming Anxiety Through Embodied Mindfulness: A Guided Meditation
If you struggle with anxiety, panic, or trauma, you know how easily the mind can get hijacked by worries about the future or regrets about the past. Mindfulness offers a powerful pathway back to the safety and stability of the present moment. This grounding meditation will guide you to reconnect with your body and breath, restoring a sense of calm and presence. Settling the Body Begin by finding a posture that allows your body to feel supported and at ease, either seated or lying down. Gently extend through your...
Transforming Fear: A Guided Meditation for Phobias and Trauma
Do you struggle with a specific phobia, traumatic memory, or overwhelming emotion that feels impossible to face? This guided meditation will help you build the capacity to gradually transform your relationship to this challenging inner experience through the power of visualization and embodied awareness. Mapping the Fear in the Body We begin by bringing the feared thought, memory or sensation to mind and noticing how the body responds. Where do you feel the fear most intensely - perhaps as a knot in the stomach,...