Our Theoretical Orientation

Soulful Psychology® is a contemporary theoretical orientation within the Depth Psychology tradition. Our aim is to bring Depth Psychology concepts and methods about caring for the soul into the mainstream. Soulful Psychology® integrates the wisdom of relational-psychoanalysis and Jungian psychology, the philosophical exploration of Socratic discovery and insight, and the passionate expressiveness of culture, art, music, and poetry. Additionally, the influences of Intercultural Communication scholars are integrated into Soulful Psychology® concepts.

A Soulful Theory of Health

We all have a light that shines within us; it is the innate aspects of who we are at our core. Our talents, propensities, inclinations, and truths, that lie below conscious awareness and guide us towards growth. It is difficult to define the soul but we know it when we experience it. When someone says, “I feel it in my soul,” we seem to know and relate to what they mean. Soul isn’t a literal “thing,” it is a symbol used to express the essence of who we are and a phenomenon that can not be fully explained in words, but can be best known when we experience it. Therefore, we need symbols, metaphors, dreams, intuitions, symptoms, associations, nonverbal communication, and artistic expression to identify it. Soul is a phenomenon depicted in religion, music, and visual-arts throughout centuries and across cultures.

Soulful Psychology® theorizes that psychological health is attained through living a soulful life, which means living in a present state of being that enables integration of ego and soul resulting in deep connection with self and the world. Furthermore, to live “full-of-soul,” is to be in a constant state of reverie for the complex and magnificent core aspects within us that continuously emerge to enliven our experiences, animate our behaviors, guide our directions, inspire our aspirations, embolden our decisions, impassion our connections, secure our attachments, challenge our insecurities, nurture our wounds, guide our paths, and foster our growth.

Our Approach to Therapy

Soulful Psychology® approaches therapy as a means for becoming soulful. Our effective approach analyzes meaning within symptoms, which has been successful in helping people understand the roots to their suffering and in gaining solutions for healing and transformation. Results often include increased joy, resilience, wholeness, and soulful connection with self and others. We are deeply committed to caring for you with compassion and kindness in your therapeutic process.

The Soulful Psychology® approach to healing and transformation is through soulful connection, which includes:

• Presence: We teach you how to become present in your life and clear distractions so you can pay closer attention to, and connect with, your emotions and intuitions that can guide you in life. 

• Analysis: We help you gain insight about unconscious wounds and desires that call for your attention so you can process pain rather than project it onto others. 

• Soulful Integration: We help you explore soulful content that emerges through nonverbal cues, emotions, associations, dreams, metaphors, symptoms, images, intuitions, talents, daydreams, symbols, disassociations, defenses, transferences, enactments, playfulness, and creative expression.