This is a very good article on finding information on graduate school opportunities in the helping professions: http://keep2.sjfc.edu/faculty/tspitzer/helpingProf99.htm I recommend you explore all these professions:
1. Clinical/Counseling Psychologist (Ph.D./Psy.D.)
2. Clinical/Counseling Psychology: Psychological Associate (M.A)
3. College Student Development Professional
4. Counselor(Community)
5. Counselor (School)
6. Creative Arts Therapist (Art, Dance, Drama, & Music Therapists)
7. Health Education/Promotion Specialist
8. Human Resource Development Specialist
9. Occupational Therapist
10. Rehabilitation Counselor/Psychologist
11. School Psychologist
12. Social Worker
13. Special Education Teacher
14. Speech Pathologist
15. Therapeutic Recreation Specialist/Recreational Therapist
If you like Psychology, you may also like many of these professions. It's good to broaden your thinking about it. When you want to "help" people, you are really moving toward the "Healer" archetype. The healer is fully present in many professions. If that is what makes you happy (i.e. is your bliss) then you will find happiness in many areas. Being a psychologist is not necessarily the only way.
Getting a Ph.D./Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and becoming a Psychologist is long road. It is just as difficult if not more so than getting an M.D. so http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifthhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifink about that. Here is a great Article on pursuing a Psy.D.: http://www.psichi.org/pubs/articles/article_171.aspx
.
Here is a great series of articles on preparing for Graduate School: http://www.psichi.org/pubs/search.aspx?category1=7
Ultimately you've got to make a decision on what may lead to your greatest professional fulfillment. Find a profession that is in demand and pays well so you can put bread on your table and feed your self or future family. But if you do what you love, your passion will attract others and determination always finds a way.
Finally, always remember you are MORE than your profession or what you do. Anchor your identity in your family, hobbies, creative pursuits, and your spiritual center first, then you will find that whatever career you choose, it will be truly rewarding!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Sunday, November 8, 2009
An Introduction to Dream Work
Dreams are a part of an inner reality. Out of unconscious reality, our mind (psyche) is built. Through the psyche we interpret the world and it is our interpretations that frame our waking reality. Your dreams can be a loving companion and wise guide in your life. Approaching dreams, and the unconscious in particular, with a sense of respect is crucial. But also balancing respect with a healthy sense of humor is just as important. Working with dreams may bring up painful emotions but it is also very freeing, and is capable of producing great joy. As you become more conscious, you free up energy that is being spent on keeping old destructive habits and “out-of-date” defenses alive. You also understand your motivations and find new directions in your life. You start to realize your true hidden potential.
The Four-Step Approach
(For a complete understanding of this process, I highly recommend the excellent book, Innerwork: Using Dreams and Active Imagination for Personal Growth by Robert Johnson)
Making Associations: The first step is to form the foundation for interpreting the dream by finding associations that spring out of our unconscious in response to the dream images. Every dream is made up of a series of images, so our work begins with discovering the meanings that those images have. —For example, say you dream of the color “blue.” What are your associations with blue. Right them all down as they come to you. Blue may bring to mind: cool, detached, my clothes today are blue, sad, “I’ve got the blues, “blew or blown away”, clarity, my blue sweater as a child that grandma gave me, “True blue” honest and faithful. Or you make a “chain” association with “blue.” Blue=sad=hospital=Aunt Jean=Apple pie=warm kitchen. In this chain association, you begin with the single word “blue” then you just go with what ever comes to mind with each successive word. This is the “brain-storming” session. Even though it may seem like the associations are meaningless, their true meaning will come as you proceed thru the steps. The association that “clicks” or has the most energy will be the correct one to use for the next step.
Connecting Dream Images to Inner Dynamics: In this second step, we look for and find the parts of our inner-selves that the dream images represent. Start with the literal meaning of the image. To perform this step we go back to the beginning and deal with each image, one at a time (in sequence). For each image ask: “What part of me is that? Where have I seen it functioning in my life lately? Where do I see that same trait in my personality? Who is it, inside me, who feels like that or behaves like that?” Then write down each example you can think of in which that inner part of you has been expressing itself in you life. For example, you may dream of a “fish.” What does a fish mean to you? Your associations may have been of eating fish or fishing with your brother. What is a fish? Where does it live? What is the life of a fish like? Then look at the metaphorical meaning of a fish. One example of a fish symbol is as an early Christian symbol. Perhaps the fish is a part of the Christ nature calling to you. We find these dynamics at work inside us that are symbolized by the dream situation. By inner dynamics we mean anything that goes on inside you, any energy system that lives and acts from within you. It may be an emotional event, such as a surge of anger. It may be an inner conflict, an inner personality acting through you, a feeling, an attitude, a mood.
Interpreting: Here, we put together the information we have gleaned in the first two steps and arrive at a view of the dream’s meaning when taken as a whole. At this stage you ask questions like: “What is the central, most important message that this dream is trying to communicate to me? What is it advising me to do? What is the overall meaning of the dream for my life?” If you take a ready-made interpretation out of a dream book, it is like wearing someone else’s clothing that doesn’t really fit you. Throw your dream dictionaries out. Your interpretations should flow naturally from step 1 and 2 (the meaning is from you). As part of your interpretation, you should try to make a simple statement of the one, main idea that the dream communicates. Ask yourself, “What is the single most important insight that the dream is trying to get across to me?”
Ritual: Bringing the Dream into the physical world: This step requires a physical act that will affirm the message of the dream. It could be a practical act: As a result of your dream, you may feel that you need to start paying your bills on time or straighten out a relationship that has become confused. Or it may be a symbolic act—a ritual that brings home the meaning of the dream in a powerful way (i.e. creating a painting or drawing, writing a poem, saying a prayer, sending a card to a neglected loved one, or calling them). Simple acts are the most powerful. Ritualizing a dream helps to make the reality of the dream more concrete. It is a powerful statement concerning your respect for the unconscious and desire to participate in this important inner-process.
The Four-Step Approach
(For a complete understanding of this process, I highly recommend the excellent book, Innerwork: Using Dreams and Active Imagination for Personal Growth by Robert Johnson)
Making Associations: The first step is to form the foundation for interpreting the dream by finding associations that spring out of our unconscious in response to the dream images. Every dream is made up of a series of images, so our work begins with discovering the meanings that those images have. —For example, say you dream of the color “blue.” What are your associations with blue. Right them all down as they come to you. Blue may bring to mind: cool, detached, my clothes today are blue, sad, “I’ve got the blues, “blew or blown away”, clarity, my blue sweater as a child that grandma gave me, “True blue” honest and faithful. Or you make a “chain” association with “blue.” Blue=sad=hospital=Aunt Jean=Apple pie=warm kitchen. In this chain association, you begin with the single word “blue” then you just go with what ever comes to mind with each successive word. This is the “brain-storming” session. Even though it may seem like the associations are meaningless, their true meaning will come as you proceed thru the steps. The association that “clicks” or has the most energy will be the correct one to use for the next step.
Connecting Dream Images to Inner Dynamics: In this second step, we look for and find the parts of our inner-selves that the dream images represent. Start with the literal meaning of the image. To perform this step we go back to the beginning and deal with each image, one at a time (in sequence). For each image ask: “What part of me is that? Where have I seen it functioning in my life lately? Where do I see that same trait in my personality? Who is it, inside me, who feels like that or behaves like that?” Then write down each example you can think of in which that inner part of you has been expressing itself in you life. For example, you may dream of a “fish.” What does a fish mean to you? Your associations may have been of eating fish or fishing with your brother. What is a fish? Where does it live? What is the life of a fish like? Then look at the metaphorical meaning of a fish. One example of a fish symbol is as an early Christian symbol. Perhaps the fish is a part of the Christ nature calling to you. We find these dynamics at work inside us that are symbolized by the dream situation. By inner dynamics we mean anything that goes on inside you, any energy system that lives and acts from within you. It may be an emotional event, such as a surge of anger. It may be an inner conflict, an inner personality acting through you, a feeling, an attitude, a mood.
Interpreting: Here, we put together the information we have gleaned in the first two steps and arrive at a view of the dream’s meaning when taken as a whole. At this stage you ask questions like: “What is the central, most important message that this dream is trying to communicate to me? What is it advising me to do? What is the overall meaning of the dream for my life?” If you take a ready-made interpretation out of a dream book, it is like wearing someone else’s clothing that doesn’t really fit you. Throw your dream dictionaries out. Your interpretations should flow naturally from step 1 and 2 (the meaning is from you). As part of your interpretation, you should try to make a simple statement of the one, main idea that the dream communicates. Ask yourself, “What is the single most important insight that the dream is trying to get across to me?”
Ritual: Bringing the Dream into the physical world: This step requires a physical act that will affirm the message of the dream. It could be a practical act: As a result of your dream, you may feel that you need to start paying your bills on time or straighten out a relationship that has become confused. Or it may be a symbolic act—a ritual that brings home the meaning of the dream in a powerful way (i.e. creating a painting or drawing, writing a poem, saying a prayer, sending a card to a neglected loved one, or calling them). Simple acts are the most powerful. Ritualizing a dream helps to make the reality of the dream more concrete. It is a powerful statement concerning your respect for the unconscious and desire to participate in this important inner-process.
The Essence of Active Imagination
One of the best books on Active Imagination for the educated lay-person is "Inner Work" by Robert Johnson. It is a way to work out your dreams (nightmares or not) and reveal unconscious content from the latent, to the manifest level. Dreams are your unconscious' primary way of communicating with you. But the imaginal realm is the boundary between "worlds" so to speak. When we imagine, we contact the unconscious realm and allow for that vast untapped source of wisdom to fully reveal itself. As a wise man once told me, it also comes with a warning! When you tell a dream, you are by definition telling what you don't yet know about yourself. When you start down the path to revealing your unconscious, you make the first step in a journey toward wholeness. Once you've tasted what that feels like, you will never want to return. It can be frightening, but you meet others along the way that help you and soon you realize that what you thought you were seeking, was with you all along.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
What is Addiction?
Question: What is addiction and how can we help someone who is addicted?
Answer: It's really a complex question but in my Clinical experience it is a very individualized. The "once a addict always an addict" idea is rooted in a disease model of addiction which is the prevailing paradigm in the industry. The original 12 step movement (founded upon the work of my hero C.G. Jung), AA and other 12 step groups are the single most successful treatment for addictions of all kinds. They were so over used though, that many have turned away for other options. I've seen alot of good successful therapies work for addicts, but it, even though a cliche, starts with the individual wanting to change. I've seen people put down alcohol and even heroin, never to use it again with little or no intervention and I've seen others who've been through years of treatment but are still hopelessly addicted and active users. Interventions (family and friends getting together to confront a addict) works well because of the social pressure aspect. For first time addicts this can work well, especially if they've been in denial. Dr. Jung stated that "You see, Alcohol in Latin is “spiritus” and you use the same word for the highest religious experience as well as for the most depraving poison. The helpful formula therefore is: spiritus contra spiritum." That fundamentally, the reason people seek out substances or behaviors that lead to addiction is that they unconsciously yearn for a deep and meaningful spiritual experience and that is missing in their life. The substance is merely a substitution for a change in consciousness that they do not know how to consciously achieve. I have found in my personal and clinical experience that, this explanation is absolutely correct. American culture is a very extroverted one that inflates the value of the ego ("It's all about me, me, me") and downplays or ignores the value of the Higher Self (Or God, the Spirit, whatever you wish to call "that which is beyond the personal self or ego"). I've seen patients find Buddhist Meditation and practice, Christianity, Islam, AA, and many other forms of spiritual practice as a path to Wholeness that becomes so fulfilling, they simply do not want to consume substances that dull or replace that deep meaningful experience.
"People say that what we're seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we're really seeking. What we seek is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane have resonance within our innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel that rapture of being alive." -Joseph Campbell.
Ultimately, I've found that my job in working with addictions is to gently help guide a person to finding a deeper path toward ultimate meaning, whatever that might be. It begins with a belief that this person's higher self, already knows the answer to their problems. What is understood then is that the therapeutic experience can become a deeply meaningful one where mind and spirit are present in the relationship between the client and therapist. This then also gives a kind of excitement to the experience because what is also evident is that the Universe itself is taking part in our healing and ultimately we all are on a path toward ultimate wholeness where we are growing and becoming our fully realized potential. The fullest expression of the inner beauty and light that is at the core of our truest Self.
Answer: It's really a complex question but in my Clinical experience it is a very individualized. The "once a addict always an addict" idea is rooted in a disease model of addiction which is the prevailing paradigm in the industry. The original 12 step movement (founded upon the work of my hero C.G. Jung), AA and other 12 step groups are the single most successful treatment for addictions of all kinds. They were so over used though, that many have turned away for other options. I've seen alot of good successful therapies work for addicts, but it, even though a cliche, starts with the individual wanting to change. I've seen people put down alcohol and even heroin, never to use it again with little or no intervention and I've seen others who've been through years of treatment but are still hopelessly addicted and active users. Interventions (family and friends getting together to confront a addict) works well because of the social pressure aspect. For first time addicts this can work well, especially if they've been in denial. Dr. Jung stated that "You see, Alcohol in Latin is “spiritus” and you use the same word for the highest religious experience as well as for the most depraving poison. The helpful formula therefore is: spiritus contra spiritum." That fundamentally, the reason people seek out substances or behaviors that lead to addiction is that they unconsciously yearn for a deep and meaningful spiritual experience and that is missing in their life. The substance is merely a substitution for a change in consciousness that they do not know how to consciously achieve. I have found in my personal and clinical experience that, this explanation is absolutely correct. American culture is a very extroverted one that inflates the value of the ego ("It's all about me, me, me") and downplays or ignores the value of the Higher Self (Or God, the Spirit, whatever you wish to call "that which is beyond the personal self or ego"). I've seen patients find Buddhist Meditation and practice, Christianity, Islam, AA, and many other forms of spiritual practice as a path to Wholeness that becomes so fulfilling, they simply do not want to consume substances that dull or replace that deep meaningful experience.
"People say that what we're seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we're really seeking. What we seek is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane have resonance within our innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel that rapture of being alive." -Joseph Campbell.
Ultimately, I've found that my job in working with addictions is to gently help guide a person to finding a deeper path toward ultimate meaning, whatever that might be. It begins with a belief that this person's higher self, already knows the answer to their problems. What is understood then is that the therapeutic experience can become a deeply meaningful one where mind and spirit are present in the relationship between the client and therapist. This then also gives a kind of excitement to the experience because what is also evident is that the Universe itself is taking part in our healing and ultimately we all are on a path toward ultimate wholeness where we are growing and becoming our fully realized potential. The fullest expression of the inner beauty and light that is at the core of our truest Self.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Power of Myth and the Feminine Principle
"We have not even to face the adventure alone, for the heroes of all time, have gone before us: the labyrinth is thoroughly known; we have only to follow the thread of the hero path. And where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god, and where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves. Where we had thought to travel outward, we shall come to the center of our own existence, and where we had thought to be alone, we shall be with all the World."
Dr. Carl Jung Himself explains the Archetype
Feminine Maturation and Initiation Processes
Firstly let's look briefly at some background. The four feminine archetypes occur in a fairly pure form in the stories and rituals of pagan cultures, such as those that existed in Celtic Europe, Africa, Asian, and tribal cultures before the introduction of Christianity: they are called the maiden, the queen, the mother and the crone.
Other Feminine archetypes include: the goddess, the virgin, seductress, the Amazon (warrior), the Hetaria (lover and companion to man), the Medial Woman (mystic/healer), the muse, the Virgin Mary, the Harlot (i.e. Mary Magdaline), Sarah, Eve, or Rachel from the Bible or search and research any "goddess" from your own or any other cultural tradition to discover a feminine archetype. Chose any you desire. Listen carefully when studying these archetypes, they will speak to you and often it is the archetype that chooses you not the other way around.
Review the Following Websites, Links, and Videos for further explanation concerning the Divine Feminine Principle
--Joseph Campbell
The Power of Myth and the Feminine PrincipleTo help give you a basic grounding in thinking symbolically, please watch the next wonderful video, which is the first in a series entitled, "The Power of Myth" with Joseph Campbell. I encourage you to seek out this series and watch it in it's entirety. You will not regret it. Joseph Campbell was a Professor of Comparative Mythology and the penultimate writer/philosopher of this subject matter in his time. Mythology is a wonderful subject. It is one that can really capture you and engage you in a world that runs to very deep places. When you are able to see fairytales, Biblical stories, movies, novels, and your own story with symbolic-mythical eyes, you will (perhaps for the first time) see a deeper world that is both embedded and a-part from the waking "real" world. You will see the archetypal world and one which is all around us, but few have the courage to look upon. A good example for the actual power of myth and story is by looking at the life of many of my own patients. Often I find that when a person comes for counseling they are coming because their "old story", the one that once made sense and guided their life, is no longer working. Soon the theme and thread of their life becomes apparent and I encourage them to re-examine their story. When they are able to change it or adopt an entirely new story or find the solution to their story through the example of an archetypal figure in mythology, their lives begin to transform.
Remember the first time you ever saw "The Wizard of Oz" on television. Perhaps you were a young child. Why did it capture you so? Why do you remember the entire story now and probably can recite dialogue from the movie? Why is it part of our shared experience? This is the power of myth, and the theme that we will continue to explore through out this discussion.Click this link, to watch: "The Power of Myth"
Dr. Carl Jung Himself explains the Archetype
Feminine Maturation and Initiation Processes
Firstly let's look briefly at some background. The four feminine archetypes occur in a fairly pure form in the stories and rituals of pagan cultures, such as those that existed in Celtic Europe, Africa, Asian, and tribal cultures before the introduction of Christianity: they are called the maiden, the queen, the mother and the crone.
Most cultures around the world and throughout history recognize four clearly identifiable physical changes in a woman's life. These four events are: adolescence, entry into marriage (wedding), childbirth and menopause. Most cultures associate these with initiations or ceremonies of one kind or another.
Connecting the four archetypal images with the four physical changes, and the four levels of reality mentioned above, I see a clear correspondence:| name | aspect of existence | event | example |
maiden | physical | adolescence |  |
| queen | spiritual | wedding |  |
| mother | emotional | childbirth |  |
| crone | intellectual | menopause |  |
Other Feminine archetypes include: the goddess, the virgin, seductress, the Amazon (warrior), the Hetaria (lover and companion to man), the Medial Woman (mystic/healer), the muse, the Virgin Mary, the Harlot (i.e. Mary Magdaline), Sarah, Eve, or Rachel from the Bible or search and research any "goddess" from your own or any other cultural tradition to discover a feminine archetype. Chose any you desire. Listen carefully when studying these archetypes, they will speak to you and often it is the archetype that chooses you not the other way around.
FOLLOW THIS LINK: For a Wonderful article on the Archetype of Sacred Feminine Initiation.
FOLLOW THIS LINK: RELEASING THE POWER OF THE POSITIVE FEMININE ARCHETYPE to read an excellent example of this paper written by an Undergraduate student at the University of Oregon.Review the Following Websites, Links, and Videos for further explanation concerning the Divine Feminine Principle
| The Divine Feminine, Unveiled | Will embracing woman-centered spirituality take us beyond patriarchy? Elizabeth Debold explains more here: The Divine Feminine |
|---|---|
| The Feminine Archetype | Three Archetypal Spheres of Feminine Symbolism:
Click for more: The Feminine Archetype |
| The Recent History of Woman in Popular Culture |
Sunday, August 17, 2008
BEING SKEPTICAL
Being skeptical and developing good critical thinking skills is the foundation of being a scientist. Does talks like this impact your own beliefs? What assumptions or theories do you opperate under that could be challenged by science?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
WE ARE ONE, ONE LOVE
We are so disconnected from one another. I remember a wonderful time during my adult life that I got a series of hugs from complete strangers. It was at a Jungian Conference (Journey into Wholeness) in Hendersonville, North Carolina. It felt as if I had come home. I grew up in the deep south in a small town and hugging one another was always a sign of affection and tender love. We hugged on the street, at church, at the store, or just because. Small towns are real. We are so disconnected in this world from one another and are taught to always suspect the worst. What if we suspected the best from one another and offered love freely, without reservation and without fear. What a wonderful world it would be. Think about giving away free hugs today!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)