About Me
I look forward to introducing myself and sharing the richness of depth psychology with you...
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I focus on helping you manifest your best self. Working together, we use the rich resources of your unconscious to support you in creating deeply meaningful changes in your life. I have over thirty years of experience helping clients develop relationships, heal childhood traumas, let go of toxic patterns, and discover meaning in their lives. I conduct individual, couples', parent & child, and group therapy virtually, by phone, or outdoors.
Selected Areas of Specialization
Jungian Individuation
Spiritual evolution
Past-life regression therapy
Creative blocks
LGBTQ issues
Couples counseling
Mindful dying
Techniques of Depth Psychology
Depth psychology mines the wealth and creativity of your unconscious to improve the quality of your outer life. Using talk therapy, guided imagery, and dreamwork, we will explore the symbols and archetypal themes that are unique to your life. Through this process, we will tailor therapy to what you're seeking from life and from our time together. The benefits of this work include increased feelings of well-being, greater understanding of self, comfort with challenging feelings, clarified sense of purpose and meaning, greater satisfaction in relationships, and a stronger sense of connection to others and to the natural world.
Psychosynthesis
Psychosynthesis describes an approach to therapy that seeks, in the words of its founder, Roberto Assagioli, "the harmonious integration of the individual into ever larger groups up to the 'one humanity'" (Psychosynthesis, 5). Psychosynthesis represents the culmination of therapy, which moves through four major phases:
Thorough knowledge of one's own personality
Control of its various elements
Realization of one's true Self - the discovery or creation of a unifying center
Psychosynthesis: the formation or reconstruction of the personality around a new center
(Assagioli, Psychosynthesis, 21)
The goal of inner work is to help clients unblock their bottlenecks and learn how to live in partnership with the unconscious rather than at its mercy. -Robert Johnson
We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us. - Marcel Proust
In my early professionals years I was asking the question: How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth? -Carl Rogers
My Approach
Humanistic
The humanistic method takes a positive view of human nature and emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual. Therapists in this tradition, who are interested in exploring the nature of creativity, love, and self-actualization, help clients realize their potential through change and self-directed growth. Humanistic therapy is also an umbrella term for gestalt, client-centered therapy, and existential therapy.
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic therapy, also known as insight-oriented therapy, evolved from Freudian psychoanalysis. Like adherents of psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapists believe that bringing the unconscious into conscious awareness promotes insight and resolves conflict. But psychodynamic therapy is briefer and less intensive than psychoanalysis and also focuses on the relationship between the therapist and the client, as a way to learn about how the client relates to everyone in their life.
Transpersonal
Transpersonal therapy emphasizes the transcendent or spiritual aspects of a client's development. A transpersonal therapist may help the client cultivate a greater sense of connectedness with others, with nature, and with a higher spirit.
Holistic
Holistic psychology explores not only the physical and mental dimensions of life, but also the spiritual, ecological, relational, somatic, mythological, and transpersonal aspects of the psyche. The separation of these dimensions of the whole person can be seen as contributing to the personal, cultural, and planetary crises and pathologies of our time. The therapy journey offers a path out of division and alienation into healing and regeneration. “Holistic” shares word origins with “heal,” “holy,” and “whole.” A holistic psychology is therefore one that respects the complexity, integrity, and multi-dimensionality of the human being.
Values
In my work, I am guided by the seven principles affirmed and promoted by Unitarian Universalist congregations:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person
Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our relationship and in society at large
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
I also draw inspiration from sources acknowledged by Unitarian Universalism:
Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life
Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love
Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life
Religious teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves
Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit
Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature
Educational Background
I received my Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Alliant International University, where I was trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I have been practicing psychotherapy in my Los Angeles private practice since 1980.
My work in past life regression therapy was strongly influenced by my mother, Winafred Lucas, Ph.D., who was a pioneer theorist, researcher, and practitioner in that field. I have collaborated with Ron Jue, Ph.D. and Hazel Denning, Ph.D. in their pioneering research and training institutes, which offered intensive regression training to licensed mental health professionals. Other significant influences on my approach to therapy include training with Psychosynthesis Institute, transformation energy training with Brugh Joy, M.D. and Caroline Conger, Ph.D., and Jungian dream group work with Douglas Thomas, Ph.D.
State Licenses
Board Certified Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT), CA (1975-present)
Memberships
CA Association for Marriage & Family Therapists (CAMFT), (1976-present)
International Association for Regression Research & Therapies (formerly Assoc. for Past Life Research & Therapies), (1980-present)
Association for the Advancement of Psychosynthesis (1980-1982)
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