Dissertation Oral Defenses

The term psychology unites the Greek words “psyche” with “logos”—breath, spirit, soul with word, statement, discourse. Since these terms are inherent to the origin story of psychology, the way in which aspects of soul and psyche are connected with the word is undeniably important. So, what happens to our relationship with the archetypal psyche when…

The goal of this study is to present an ethnographic and depth psychological understanding of the Đạo Mẫu Tứ Phủ, Mother-Goddesses tradition, which is Indigenous to the Việt/Kinh ethnic majority group originating from the Red River Delta of modern- day Northern Việt Nam, considered the cradle of Việt/Kinh civilization and the holy land of Đạo…

The proliferation of mobile digital technology means that individuals from successive generations are introduced to these devices at increasingly early ages, integrating smartphones into their daily routines. The smartphone functions as a technological tool and a psychological vessel, revealing identity, relationships, and unconscious processes in unprecedented ways. Its deep integration into daily life raises critical…

Narratives are an innate human characteristic that provides humanity with a framework for organizing information, explaining experiences, and coalescing social groups. Stories are also humanity’s universal sense for navigating the complexities and contradictions of life. However, as universal as the narrative experience is, no universal or comprehensive explanation exists for the purpose of stories. This…

This dissertation poses the question: What shapes the relationship between heterosexual men, contemporary American culture, and emotional intimacy? In searching for these dynamics, this study finds its foundations in research and literature on masculinity, patriarchy, and gender relations within American society. Drawing primarily upon depth psychology and integrating insights from anthropology, philosophy, sociology, feminist theory,…

Therapists are often drawn to their profession by personal wounds—experiences of trauma, loss, or psychological struggle that shape their capacity for empathy. But how do these wounds influence their work? Do they serve as a source of healing, or do they risk becoming an unconscious burden? This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of Wounded…

This dissertation explores the psychological and spiritual impacts of apostasy from Salvation Christian Colonialism (SCC), emphasizing the transformative potential of leaving a religious system that perpetuates chronic shame and religious trauma. The study utilizes Joseph Camp- bell’s Hero’s Journey and Fowler’s Stages of Faith Development as frameworks to analyze the journey of apostates, positioning apostasy…

This depth psychological, hermeneutic study explores the relationship between the concept of justice as an archetype and the process of individuation, then examines the implications of this relationship at a cultural level. In the process, the earliest history of the topic of justice is traced from the pre-Socratic belief of a moral order of the…

Philosophy’s first question, How shall we live?, is examined in this dissertation through the figure of Socrates, first as portrayed in Plato’s works and then subsequently as interpreted by scholars, philosophers, and “poets,” in the broad sense of the word. The inquiry focuses on themes of concern to Plato and subsequent interpreters of Socrates, which…

This qualitative study investigated how combat veterans diagnosed with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were able to make meaning of their combat-related PTSD nightmares. There is a disconnect within the mental health field regarding understanding the messages and meanings of these nightmares and how they might serve the veteran in treatment. Current popular treatment methods…

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a severe and complex mental health condition associated with high rates of self-harm, interpersonal difficulties, and treatment challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP), and Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) using a network meta-analysis framework. This systematic review and network meta-analysis compared…

The psychological phenomenon of homesickness affects individuals everywhere, regardless of geography or culture. Following an autoethnographic method, this investigation deepens understanding of homesickness not only through personal understanding, but also in terms of understanding the factors that tie one’s sense of home, self, and belonging together. Through attachment theory, environmental psychology, and German Romanticism, the…

This dissertation explores the concept of individuation, primarily focusing on its application to Salvadorans, and delves into the psychological journey of individuation as proposed by C. G. Jung. The study emphasizes the process of becoming one’s true self and achieving the conscious- unconscious union of opposites and one’s psychological wholeness. The discussion also extends into…

This theoretical dissertation explores the relationship between individuation—Jung’s theory of personality or psychospiritual development—and the journey through addiction and recovery, examined through an archetypal astrological perspective. While addiction has been studied through biopsychosocial frameworks, this research broadens the depth- psychological discourse by integrating archetypal astrology as a human-science methodology. The study centers on the lived…

This dissertation is a mythopoetic exploration of the Christian Trinity as a relationship of interchangeable, nongendered functions evolving through time. Based in depth psychology and employing the ternary metaphysics of Boehme, Gurdjieff, and Bourgeault, the gendered language of the Trinity is reimagined and translated into interchangeable functions of affirmation, denial, and reconciliation to free this…

This theoretical dissertation explores the evolution of mythology as humanity embarks on its journey into the cosmos, proposing that the vast expanse of space will give rise to new mythological frameworks. Drawing on the works of Joseph Campbell, C. G. Jung, Ernst Cassirer, and Julia Kristeva, it argues that space exploration—especially interstellar travel—will profoundly reshape…

This research brings the nuanced terrain of multisensory human experience to the center of synesthesia studies. While existing literature predominantly focuses on trait-based and neurocentric approaches, much of the wholeness and humanness of synesthetic experience remains under-represented, particularly how synesthetic phenomena overflow beyond configured categories and integrate into meaningful life paths. Balancing art and science…

This dissertation focuses on diverse ways women of color can heal after experiencing sexual, mental, and emotional abuse using tools and insights from depth psychology and mythology, as well as Black feminist, Womanist, Ifa/Orisa, Tibetan Buddhist, and heart-centered modalities. It also examines how two female divinities, Osun the Yoruba Ifa/Orisa and goddess of love, and…

This study explores tears as a paradigm of mythopoetic storytelling, especially emphasizing tears’ reflexive and generative properties. Ritual lament and religious devotion root the study in communal traditions and individual practices of weeping. By analyzing the performative expressions of ancient texts (Libation Bearers, Trojan Women, Tristia, Lamentations) along with the mystical imaginings of devotional writers…

This study explored the praxis of practitioners working in dyadic disciplines, both inside and outside of conventional psychotherapy, in an attempt to answer the question: How do biopsychosocialculturalspiritual and historical factors related to the phenomena of countertransference influence practitioners in contemporary practices? In doing so, the study also examined the ways in which countertransference literature…