My grievance with modern therapy is a simple one; why the over-obsession with the inner world?
Shadow work, therapy, journaling, meditation, trauma work, mantras, counselling, all approaches that desire mapping the internal terrain. Necessary but half-formed. To walk our paths we will need to come out from behind the intimacy of our thoughts and take actual steps in the physical world.
Therapy without action can create a looping effect
In spending years with a therapist a student remarked, ‘I’m not sure what’s wrong but after 3 years of therapy I still don’t like my job.’ No amount of speaking about her relationship with her boss, mother and partner could change that. She had filled journals, attended trauma workshops and done the breathing exercises prescribed. It helped in ways but inevitably she would be back in that small office counting down the hours. Rather than talking about it or thinking about it, she needed to come into the world. To take action. Action is what what will set her free.
Understanding ‘Action Therapy’
Action Therapy emerged from the simple truth that walking our paths demands an assertion of self in the world. However, the very assertion that is required is often connected with a psychological barrier. To name a few: the fear of failure, the longing for acceptance and the dread of judgement.
Whilst a therapist may want to explore this endlessly, Action Therapy is different. It suggests that by taking action towards our psychological barrier, it will unveil a better reality that naturally heals our inner wounds. It both shapes the self whilst reforging our world. Rather than circling ourselves internally, never touching an edge, we find out who we are by coming into contact with what we’re trying to avoid.
How to begin Action Therapy
To begin Action Therapy you’ll need to first identify what you want. Followed by seeking the psychological barrier that’s hindering your having of it. By reinterpreting this barrier you strip it of its power, creating fertile ground for change. Making it evident why remaining this way is no longer an option. Finally, you confront the barrier by selecting a repeated action that directly challenges it. You then repeat this action until the psychological barrier no longer stops you.
An example of how Action Therapy works in the world
For example, let’s say you wanted to begin posting creative work online. But by doing so you know your family and friends will see. In this tension you find that your psychological barrier is the desire to be loved. You fear that if you start sharing yourself in a new way then you’ll be rejected by those you care about.
You then reinterpret your feeling of potential rejection and realise that you’re hiding yourself. By revealing yourself to the world it’s an act of self-love. You then begin a repetitive task whereby you create 7 social media posts over 7 days, sharing it privately with a best friend you know will give you positive feedback. Each action takes you closer to a new way of being. After this task you expand your level of comfort to more people and go again. Finally you reach the stage where you begin sharing your creative work online.
Action Therapy can both heal wounds whilst simultaneously changing your life. By facing your barriers in the world head-on, you will be remade, forged anew by the fires of action.
We explore ‘Action Therapy’ thoroughly in our Career Archetypes Course + Community. All our students are guided through the process and have our support, encouragement & knowledge at their fingertips.
In Unearth, our Career Archetypes Course & Community we guide you through our signature process of discovering your unique career archetype. We’re welcoming new students each week and would love for you to join us. See you in there!
P.S. Joel will message you personally and say hi when you're inside ☕️
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