by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Nov 24, 2024 | Classical Mythology, Jungian Concepts
How Literally Did Ancient People Take Their Mythology? The nature of gods and deities in ancient civilizations has long been a subject of fascination and debate. Did the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Norse, and followers of Vedic religions literally believe their gods to...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Oct 27, 2024 | Jungian Concepts, Phenomenology and Existential Psychology, Philosophy
The Search for Meaning in Existentialism and Indigenous Thought Existentialist philosophy and indigenous worldviews offer contrasting but potentially complementary perspectives on one of life’s biggest questions: What is the meaning and purpose of human...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Oct 27, 2024 | Anthropology and Evo Psych, Jungian Concepts
Insights from Global Cultures on the Nature of Pain and Healing What can therapy learn from ancient cultures? Suffering is a universal human experience, yet the way we make meaning of our pain is profoundly shaped by our cultural context. By examining diverse...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Oct 23, 2024 | Classical Mythology, Jungian Concepts
What did Plato say about Atlantis: In Plato’s Republic, Socrates and his interlocutors set out to answer a profound question: What is justice? In the course of this inquiry, they imagine an ideal city-state, a utopia ruled by philosopher kings. On the surface,...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Oct 19, 2024 | Comparative Religion, Depth Psychology Approaches and Techniques, Evidence Based Practice and Research Psychology, Trauma, Depth Psychology, and Social Work
Should Psychotherapy Ponder the Mysteries of Philosophy and Anthropology? The specialized and fragmented nature of modern psychology has led to an abstracted and decontextualized view of the self, one that is disconnected from the embodied, embedded, and enactive...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Oct 18, 2024 | Philosophy, Psychology
Exploring the Contributions of Rollo May to Existential Psychotherapy Who was Rollo May Rollo May (1909-1994) was an influential American existential psychologist and psychotherapist. He played a key role in introducing existential psychology to the United States and...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Oct 18, 2024 | Philosophy
Who was Albert Camus? Albert Camus (1913-1960) was a French philosopher, author, and journalist who is widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. His work explored the absurdity of the human condition, the search for meaning in a...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Oct 18, 2024 | Philosophy
Who was Søren Kierkegaard? Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) was a Danish philosopher, theologian, and author widely regarded as the first existentialist philosopher. His work explored the nature of human existence, emphasizing individuality, personal choice and...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Oct 17, 2024 | Psychology
Insights from Philosophy and Psychotherapy Laughter and screaming may seem like opposite reactions, but they actually share a common trigger: the unexpected. Both are instinctive responses that arise when we encounter something that doesn’t fit our mental...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Oct 1, 2024 | Philosophy, Psychology
The Stages of Grief as Defelection from Existential Dread We all go through the stages of grief all of the time: The stages of grief – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance – represent common emotional reactions to loss and change...
