Alyssa Spungen (she/her)

James Hillman said, “Becoming more and more oneself- the actual experience of it is a shrinking, in that very often it’s dehydration, a loss of inflations, a loss of illusions.” It can be scary to shed versions of ourselves that no longer fit and I see my role as your therapist as tending a space of presence and awe at your unfolding. 

I  draw inspiration from anti-colonial, depth psychology, and somatic orientations as these align with my own personal values related to healing, those that involve recognizing the impact of systemic trauma, cultivating soul growth, and repairing the body’s ability to feel. I look toward teachers like Oumou Sylla, Bayo Akomolafe, James Hillman, Naomi Sangreal, Donald Kalsched, Robert Moss, Jasmine Rose, my colleagues at TCA, and others  to guide me along this journey. 

“Myths are public dreams, and dreams are private myths.” -Joseph Campbell

I believe that altered states, ones facilitated by medicines along with the ones we enter through our imaginations and the ones we experience each night as we sleep and dream, are neglected realms that function as keys to our wellness. 

I am a second-year student at Lindsey Wilson College in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a teacher of Shakti Yoga, and a Certified Dreamwork Professional from the Institute for Dream Studies. My undergraduate degree is in Philosophy and Creative Writing. 

It is my intention to clarify over the next year during my practicum and internship which populations I enjoy working with best. I thank you for the possibility of working with you and seeing if I can be supportive to you at this sacred time in your life’s journey. I am grateful to TCA for giving me the opportunity to serve our community in this way under the expert supervision of Amy Davis, LPC.