My Writing
Vista House offers a panoramic view of the Columbia River Gorge.
Photo by Gary Seeman, Ph.D.
I have been writing about psychological issues as a public service and to offer learning materials to clients. Although I am now retired, I’m preserving this writing for those who have found it useful.
Demystifying Psychotherapy
Seeman, G. (2005). "Getting the most out of psychotherapy." Here, I introduce the psychotherapy framework and offer suggestions for making your therapy experience effective.
Seeman, G. (2009) “I know I should, but …” This offers tips for those who may be scared of coming to psychotherapy.
Seeman, G. (2009). “Know thyself: The role of awareness in psychotherapy.” There are many psychotherapies, each with its own techniques. One factor common to all is the attempt to enhance awareness for insight and growth.
Seeman, G. (2009). “The psychology of mental toughness: How therapy makes you stronger.” Here, I describe the three major strengths that comprise emotional resilience and how these are enhanced in therapy, with examples.
Seeman, G. (2005). “The transformative power of dreams.” This article is about Jungian dreamwork, the language and remembering of dreams, major types of dreams, and the layers and structures of consciousness accessed by them.
Life Issues
Seeman, G. (2008). “Is alcohol spoiling your romance?” For people concerned about potential drinking problems, I offer an in-depth review of the effects of alcohol in relationships. I also explore cultural myths and common beliefs about alcohol and its biological and psychosocial effects.
Seeman, G. (2010). “Rekindling your romance.” Here are some tips for couples who have become sexually estranged.
Seeman, G. (2010). “To commit or not to commit.” This article explores questions and struggles around committing to a life partner.
Seeman, G. (2012). “The Vipassana Method for emotionally charged decisions.” This is a technique for managing challenging decisions one piece at a time.
Seeman, G. (2008). “Weathering the perfect storm: How to keep your head in a bad economy.” Written for anyone facing hard times that seem overwhelming, this article offers seven tips to balance taking action with staying grounded.
Seeman, G. (2010). “Managing anger: Why letting off steam doesn’t help.” This brief article explains a common misunderstanding that creates anger instead of solving it.
Seeman, G. (2010, updated for 2022). "Integrating spiritual experiences." This page began as a description of spiritual issues I would treat in psychotherapy. It has been modified so that readers can reflect on how spiritual awakening may be effecting them emotionally and to encourage their searching for resources to help them in that journey.
Jungian and Transpersonal Psychology
Seeman, G. (2001). Individuation and subtle body: A commentary on Jung’s Kundalini seminar. This is the introduction to my doctoral dissertation with a link that opens the dissertation itself. The dissertation compares Jung’s Analytical Psychology and Kundalini Yoga as paths to self-realization. I offer detailed introductions to both of these paths and address many controversies and misunderstandings of Jung’s lectures on Kundalini Yoga. (An excellent study aid for reading the dissertation is Samuels, A., Shorter, B., & Plaut, F. (1986). A Critical Dictionary of Jungian Analysis. New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul, Inc.)
Seeman, G. (2009). “A brief appraisal of Jung’s contribution.” C. G. Jung was a controversial figure for some and admired by others. The release of his private journal, the Red Book, brings forward many reviewers with different opinions. I have found Jung’s insights to be very helpful for my own personal therapy and writing, and they inform my integrative therapeutic style. Here’s my brief “take” on Jung.
Seeman, G. (2009). “Jung and dogma.” I’ve excerpted some writings about dogma as both helpful belief and barrier to experience. This was offered as part of a conversation about spirituality and religion in September, 2009 on the listserv for Division 36 – Psychology and Religion, of the American Psychological Association.
Seeman, G. (2010). “Psychological change in the human aura: Prologue.” This prologue introduces the types of everyday experiences that suggest a subtle energy system that is interconnected with our emotions, thinking, relationships and perceptions. It tells you why I’m interested in developing a psychological model of the aura and the potential benefits of such a model.
Seeman, G. (2010). “Psychological change in the human aura. Part 1: Introduction and overview.” This article introduces a new model, giving my current understanding of the aura and introducing a new series of articles on this topic.
Seeman, G. (2010). “Psychological change in the human aura. Part 2: Creating an energetic foundation for human development.” This second article in the series considers how human development proceeds upward through the chakras, how individuation integrates adult mind with the passions, and how spiritual transcendence reunites the individual with the One. This framework sets up Part 3, which will explore the subtle energetics of individuals in relationship.
Seeman, G. (2010). “Psychological change in the human aura. Part 5A: How we know.” This article describes essential elements of a research orientation for transpersonal psychology that balances qualitative and quantitative methods. I’ve named it Part 5A because it’s a part of what will be addressed more fully in Part 5, where I’ll explore the scientific findings, theories and controversies about attempting to detect and measure the human aura and its psychological functions.