Tarot as a Therapeutic Tool
There are various tools that can support your well-being, such as journaling, exercise, and exploring nature.
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Recently, tarot and oracle cards have gained attention for their potential to improve mental health through intentional reflection on life themes and circumstances.
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I don’t use tarot for fortune-telling or divination but as a tool to enhance our therapy sessions through symbolism. This approach offers a visual and intuitive way to explore your thoughts and feelings, empowering you to become curious about yourself, allowing your own process to unfurl in a natural and supported way.
Understanding Tarot and Archetypes
Tarot decks consist of 78 cards, divided into the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana reflects overarching life themes, while the Minor Arcana focuses on specific situations, events, emotions, thoughts, and people.
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Tarot cards work with archetypes—symbols or themes that represent patterns of experience and behavior, and these archetypes often appear in films and books today. Jungian therapy, developed by Carl Jung, uses archetypes to deepen an individual's understanding of their experiences and themselves, which can contribute to improved mental health.
Tarot to compliment therapy
If you're interested in exploring tarot as a therapeutic tool in our sessions but are unfamiliar with the cards, that is not a problem. I will be curious to learn the meaning you derive from the cards. Much like how everyone relates to a piece of art in a gallery differently, there is no right or wrong when exploring what an image evokes for you.
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The imagery on the cards can act as metaphors for various situations and inner experiences. Using metaphors can provide a concrete way to explore intangible experiences, which can help clarify your thoughts and support you in contemplating changes or examining beliefs. Some of us feel more able to express through visual means, if that's the case for you, this way of working may open up and support your therapeutic process.
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Each session is your space and follows your agenda. Working with the symbolism of the cards is an option you can choose if it resonates with you. While tarot is not a replacement for therapy, it may serve as a beneficial tool for self-reflection between or during sessions.
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