Herbalism and Therapy: How do they go together?

The short answer: I'm not 100% sure just yet! But I'm excited to keep finding out...

In March of this year, I enrolled in a local herbalism program. Herbal medicine (AKA magic potion making) has been an interest of mine since I was a young girl, and graciously re-emerged about 8 years ago when I started working with an herbalist/naturopath for my own health needs.

Starting herbalism school has been one of the best decisions I've made all year. At first I wondered, would I make a whole career change from this? It quickly became clear that I have no interest in ditching my work as mental health counselor. I love my work and I continue to choose this path. However, I have been feeling the tides shifting around how I do my work and who I am really meant to serve. This is where the plants come in...

Many times, the heaviness we hold in a therapeutic container can feel really big for both client and therapist. But when we intentionally presence our allies and helpers (plants, rocks, trees, animals, guides, ancestors, etc.), things suddenly don't feel quite so heavy. Plants are incredible helpers in this way, and the beautiful thing about them is that we actually don't even have to consume them to experience some of their medicine. By simply calling in the energetics or spirit of a particular plant, we can benefit greatly from whatever it wants to offer us. Sometimes in sessions, when clients are open to it, I like to use The Herbal Tarot deck to see who wants to join us in the room, or to call upon a particular kind of medicine for a client. Even though I have a spiritual practice of my own involving divinations, it never ceases to shock me how spot-on the cards can be. As I write this piece now, I ask the deck which card wants to be with me for this post, and in comes "Trillium Three of Cups"! This card, showing three muses holding cups gathered around a giant Trillium plant, is all about joy, friendship, celebration, and the ways we create value in our lives. Trillium is also connected to the process of birth. It's a tonic that also creates relaxation of the pelvic area/birth canal. As I start to give birth to this new way of offering services to my community, I can feel the Trillium with me.

Soon, I will be incorporating more medicinal plants into my work with clients in the form of teas, something almost every therapy office includes in their waiting rooms, and possibly tinctures for folks to explore on their own accord, led by their own curiosities.

Stay tuned for more musings, updates, and growth here at Attunement Psychotherapy.

Disclaimer: No herbs/tinctures will ever be "prescribed" or even suggested to clients as this is completely outside of my scope of practice under my LPC licensure :)

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