by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP no. 4135C-S | Apr 29, 2025 | Psychology Topics
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...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP no. 4135C-S | Apr 29, 2025 | Comparative Religion, Jungian Concepts
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...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP no. 4135C-S | Feb 26, 2025 | Anthropology and Evo Psych, Color Psychology, Jungian Concepts
The Subcortical Brain and the Roots of the Unconscious The human mind is a vast and complex landscape, with conscious awareness representing only the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface lies a realm of unconscious processes, instincts, and archetypal patterns that...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP no. 4135C-S | Oct 22, 2024 | Neuroscience and the Brain
Why do Humans Need Justice? Our powerful instinct for fairness and justice is a key part of what makes us human. We expect rewards to match efforts, punishments to fit crimes, and people to be treated equally (Starmans et al., 2017). This drive for equity shapes our...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP no. 4135C-S | Oct 18, 2024 | Trauma, Depth Psychology, and Social Work
The Roots of Emotion At the core of our emotional landscape lies a powerful and often misunderstood force: shame. As a fundamental human emotion, shame has deep evolutionary roots and profound impacts on our mental and physical well-being. By exploring the...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP no. 4135C-S | Sep 4, 2024 | Psychology of Design and Architecture
Who was Paul Maclean? Paul D. MacLean (1913-2007) was an American physician and neuroscientist who made significant contributions to the study of brain evolution and behavior. He is best known for his triune brain theory, which proposed that the human brain is...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP no. 4135C-S | Sep 4, 2024 | Mystics, Gurus, and Spiritual Philosophers, Phenomenology and Existential Psychology
Who is Antonio Damasio? Antonio Damasio is a pioneering neuroscientist, best-selling author, and professor of psychology, philosophy, and neurology at the University of Southern California, where he directs the Brain and Creativity Institute. His groundbreaking work...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP no. 4135C-S | Aug 1, 2024 | Mystics, Gurus, and Spiritual Philosophers
Who was Pierre Teilhard de Chardin? Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955), the French Jesuit priest, paleontologist, and philosopher, devoted his life to reconciling the realms of matter and spirit, science and religion. His unique vision sought to bridge the...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP no. 4135C-S | Jul 17, 2024 | Mystics, Gurus, and Spiritual Philosophers, Phenomenology and Existential Psychology, Psychology of Design and Architecture
What Can the Origins of Religion Teach Us? The origins and evolution of human religious like thought have long fascinated scholars, but they may also hold the keys to therapy and religion. . By examining the archaeological record, mythological narratives, and the...
