Pacifica News

Leigh J. McCloskey is an artist, author, and actor, most well known for his role in the television show Dallas. Pacifica was fortunate to have Leigh give the commencement address of 2024.

Cynthia Perez, LCSW, is the founder of Rooted in Reflection, and will be presenting “The Epigenetic Impact of Marianismo: Unburdening Myself and My Lineage,” a 1-hour free webinar on November 14, 2024, 12-1pm PT, through Pacifica Extension and International Studies.

Marybeth Carter, Ph.D., is a Pacifica Adjunct Faculty in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program, who will be participating in “The 21st Century Queer Psyche Through a Jungian Lens” panel during Journey Week, along with colleagues Naomi Azriel, LMFT, and Chema Jiménez Orvañanos, M.A.

Austin Chandler is a student in Pacifica’s M.A./Ph.D. Clinical Psychology. I’m delighted to speak with him about Pacifica, Clinical, and the upcoming Journey Week 2024. Journey Week is an immersive week of learning and connecting at Pacifica Graduate Institute, September 26th – 29th, 2024.

Dylan Martinez Francisco, Ph.D. is Pacifica Co-Chair & Core Faculty-Jungian & Archetypal Studies MA/Ph.D. Program at Pacifica and will be giving the talk “Why Humanism Is Dehumanizing and Why Posthumanism and AI Return Us to an Indigenous Cosmology” at Journey Week 2024.

Monica Mody is an award-winning poet and scholar and Core Professor in the M.A/Ph.D. Mythological Studies with Emphasis in Depth Psychology Program, who will be presenting at Journey Week on “Where We Might Go in Lieu of Posthumanism: Building Indigenous and Decolonial Epistemologies.” I’m delighted to speak with Monica about her upcoming talk at Journey Week, as well as her two recent poetry collections and book tour in India. Journey Week is an immersive week of learning and connecting at Pacifica Graduate Institute, September 26th – 29th, 2024.

Dr. John Bucher is the Executive Director for the Joseph Campbell Foundation, as well as a celebrated author and an alumni of the Mythology & Depth Psychology program at Pacifica. He will be presenting “The Oracle and the Algorithm: Our Search for Mythos in the Machine” as a keynote speaker at Journey Week 2024. Journey Week is an immersive week of learning and connecting at Pacifica Graduate Institute, September 26th – 29th, 2024.

“I’ve always lived in Mexico City, so it’s important to take that into account. If I had been born in other parts of Mexico, it would be a different situation. Mexico is a complex country, which colors queer culture. In Mexico City in particular, there’s a long history of activism. We’re progressive legislatively. For example, same sex marriage in Mexico has been legal federally before it was in the United States; so at least on paper, Mexico is much more open. Recently there was also an initiative to criminalize conversion therapy at a federal level. It’s not a utopia, but in general there is a long history of queer activism. Because we’re close to the U.S., it’s easy for our thoughts to be colonized. There is a lot of difficulty with class and race, violence, and your experience is colored by your privileges. So if you have money and live in certain parts of the city, your experience can be very different from other parts of the city.” -Chema Jiménez Orvañanos  

Susan Evergreen Hericks, Ph.D., and River Sauvageau will be inviting Journey Week participants to take part in creating a community mandala at the Ladera campus on September 27 from 2pm-5pm. Journey Week will take place September 27th – 29th, 2024. For more information and to register for Journey Week, visit us here. We’re excited to hear what River and Evergreen have planned. 

Julie Tumamait-Stenslie is a Chumash Elder and storyteller who will be sharing the Sister Song during Journey Week 2024. Journey Week is an immersive week of learning and connecting at Pacifica Graduate Institute, September 27th – 29th, 2024. For more information and to register, visit us here. We’re delighted to speak with Julie and find out more about the Sister Song.  

Dr.  Emily Lord-Kambitsch, Pacifica Faculty & Co-Chair of the Mythological Studies Program was recently awarded first prize in the Classical Association Poetry Competition, 2024 for the poem, “Pluto’s Wife in Transit.” We’re delighted to speak with her about her poetry and also hear what is new in the Mythological Studies Program.  

Evans Lansing Smith, Ph.D., is core faculty in the Mythological Studies program at Pacifica. He will be presenting “Leonora Carrington: Alchemy, the Underworld, and the Goddess” during Journey Week 2024. Journey Week is an immersive week of learning and connecting at Pacifica Graduate Institute, September 27th – 29th, 2024. We’re delighted to learn more about Leonora Carrington and Dr. Lansing’s plans for his Journey Week talk about her.  

Pacifica’s Board of Trustees and Executive Leadership Team invite the larger Pacifica community to attend the Board’s upcoming general session on Friday, August 23, 2024. Opening Board meetings for the larger community is an exciting first for Pacifica, providing an opportunity to demonstrate transparency in Board and institutional matters, practice shared governance, and enhance awareness of Pacifica’s reporting and planning.

Brenda Murrow, Ph.D., is a Pacifica Core Faculty & research coordinator in Clinical Psychology. She will be presenting “Somatic Transference/Somatic Interaction Patterns Through the Lens Of Equine-Assisted Therapy” during Journey Week. Journey Week is an immersive week of learning and connecting at Pacifica Graduate Institute, September 27th – 29th, 2024. We’re delighted to discuss Brenda’s unique work with horses and her upcoming talk at Journey Week.

The Advanced Training Certificate: Ecotherapy, Nature Connection Practices that Heal is a yearly offering by Pacifica Extension, and will be taught this year on September 28 – November 23, 2024. Pacifica has been a trailblazer in offering this yearly series of ecopsychology and ecotherapy online courses that make this material accessible to practitioners and the broader public. Linda Buzzell, LMFT, has been one of the instructors since its inception in 2015. We’re delighted to revisit some topics we’ve discussed in a previous interview, but also to hear what is new in ecopsychology and Linda’s scholarship.  

Naomi Azriel, LMFT, is a Jungian analyst, scholar, activist and poet, who will be one of the presenters in the panel discussion “The 21st Century Queer Psyche Through a Jungian Lens” at Pacifica’s Journey Week. Journey Week is an immersive week of learning and connecting at Pacifica Graduate Institute, September 27th – 29th, 2024.

Peter T. Dunlap is not only the Co-Chair of Pacifica’s M.A./Ph.D. Clinical Psychology program, he will also be part of the three-scholar panel “Belonging and Changing Together: Transforming our Ideologies into Practices of Shared Becoming” during Pacifica’s Journey week. Journey Week is an immersive week of learning and connecting at Pacifica Graduate Institute, September 27th – 29th, 2024. We’re delighted to speak with Peter about his work and Journey Week.  

Dr. John Bucher is the Executive Director for the Joseph Campbell Foundation, as well as a celebrated author and an alumni of the Mythology & Depth Psychology program at Pacifica. He will be teaching in the “Joseph Campbell: Myth & Storytelling as a Gateway to Psyche and Soul” certificate program, offered by Pacifica Extension in partnership with the Joseph Campbell Foundation, August 22, 2024 – November 7, 2024. We’re delighted to speak with him.

Dr. John Bucher is the Executive Director for the Joseph Campbell Foundation, as well as a celebrated author and an alumni of the Mythology & Depth Psychology program at Pacifica. He will be teaching in the “Joseph Campbell: Myth & Storytelling as a Gateway to Psyche and Soul” certificate program, offered by Pacifica Extension in partnership with the Joseph Campbell Foundation, August 22, 2024 – November 7, 2024. We’re delighted to speak with him.

Pacifica Extension and International Studies will offer “Mind of State: Politics, Psyche and Soul in Turbulent Times” on August 28, September 4, 11, 18, 25, October 2, 2024. [https://bit.ly/3y6ovWu] This six-week course is based on the recent book, Mind of State: Conversations on the Psychological Conflicts Stirring U.S. Politics and Society. We’re delighted to speak with co-editors Betty Teng and Dr. Thomas Singer, the instructors of this course.

With the departure of Dr. Loraine Devos-Comby from Pacifica, we wish to recognize her many dedicated contributions, thoughtful and wise leadership, and generous presence as our Interim Provost, VP of Academic Affairs, and VP of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation. Please read below for a letter from Dr. Devos-Comby and words of appreciation from her colleagues.

Pacifica Extension and International Studies will offer “Mind of State: Politics, Psyche and Soul in Turbulent Times” on August 28, September 4, 11, 18, 25, October 2, 2024. [https://bit.ly/3y6ovWu] This six-week course is based on the recent book, Mind of State: Conversations on the Psychological Conflicts Stirring U.S. Politics and Society. We’re delighted to speak with co-editors Betty Teng and Dr. Thomas Singer, the instructors of this course.

We understand the importance of communicating with the Pacifica community and our responsibility to be factual and clear with communication, so as not to damage or harm our beloved Institute, is paramount.  It is a disservice for the Institute (or anyone in our opinion) to disseminate information without thorough and empirical research—which can take time.…

Pacifica Extension and International Studies will offer “A Jungian Analysis of Toxic Modern Society: Fighting the Culture of Loneliness” on July 30, August 6, 20, and 27, 2024, consisting of four classes taught by Erik Goodwyn, a renowned Jungian scholar and psychiatrist, as well as a fiction author. We’re delighted to speak with him about his upcoming seminar, as well as his creative endeavors. This is Part II of II of this interview

Pacifica Extension and International Studies will offer “A Jungian Analysis of Toxic Modern Society: Fighting the Culture of Loneliness” on July 30, August 6, 20, and 27, 2024, consisting of four classes taught by Erik Goodwyn, a renowned Jungian scholar and psychiatrist, as well as a fiction author. We’re delighted to speak with him about his upcoming seminar, as well as his creative endeavors.

Despite the Lake Fire burning over 38,000 acres in Santa Barbara County, we want to reassure the Pacifica community that our area remains unaffected. Our thoughts are with those impacted by the fire, and we hope for its swift containment. The following areas remain under evacuation order: The area east of La Brea Creek and…

The Pacifica Graduate Institute (PGI) Board of Trustees operates as a cohesive body to protect, maintain, and proactively pursue the mission and vision of our Institute. It recently came to our attention that the PGI Alumni Association (PGIAA) has made certain inaccurate and unsubstantiated claims, both publicly and by direct outreach to our student body,…

Dr. Leonie H. Mattison, Pacifica Graduate Institute’s President & CEO announces Pacifica’s new Provost & Vice President, Academic Affairs: DR. COLIN MARLAIRE.

Rebecca Ramsey is a first-year student in the M.A. Depth Psychology and Creativity with Emphasis in the Arts and Humanities Program. She is also an acclaimed violinist. We’re delighted to speak with her about her work.

Pacifica Graduate Institute invites you to the June Mixer on Thursday, June 6th from 5:00 to 7:30 PM PT at our Lambert Rd. Campus.

Rebecca Stein is a therapist with a practice that helps women build resiliency, focusing on ADHD and chronic pain. She is also a first first-year student in our Depth Psychology with Specialization in Jungian Psychology and Archetypal Studies (DJA) Ph.D. program. We’re delighted to speak with her about her professional experience and her first year at Pacifica.

Rebecca Stein is a therapist with a practice that helps women build resiliency, focusing on ADHD and chronic pain. She is also a first first-year student in our Depth Psychology with Specialization in Jungian Psychology and Archetypal Studies (DJA) Ph.D. program. We’re delighted to speak with her about her professional experience and her first year at Pacifica.

“Psychedelics and Depth Psychology: Treatment and Transformation in an Animated Cosmos” is a Graduate Certificate in Psychedelics and Depth Psychology that will be offered online by Pacifica Extension and International Studies over 13 weeks, with Brian Stafford being one of the instructors. The course will introduce essential topics in the current medical/psychiatric model of treatment and research as well as a deep dive into the indigenous history of these medicines, their cultural significance, and original worldview of the cosmos that challenges current Western societal perspectives. It will be held June 5, 2024 – August 28th, 2024. Register now!

“Psychedelics and Depth Psychology: Treatment and Transformation in an Animated Cosmos” is a Graduate Certificate in Psychedelics and Depth Psychology that will be offered online by Pacifica Extension and International Studies over 13 weeks, with Brian Stafford being one of the instructors. The course will introduce essential topics in the current medical/psychiatric model of treatment and research as well as a deep dive into the indigenous history of these medicines, their cultural significance, and original worldview of the cosmos that challenges current Western societal perspectives. It will be held June 5, 2024 – August 28th, 2024. Register now!

Pacifica’s annual culminating events for graduating students are coming up this weekend! On Saturday, May 25th, Pacifica will once again host its Commencement ceremony at the beautiful Hilton Santa Barbara, where approximately 160 graduates of the over 250 total graduates of Pacifica’s class of 2024 will fill the main ballroom along with their family, friends, and our staff and faculty. Delivering this year’s commencement address is Leigh J. McCloskey, who is an artist, author, actor, and visual philosopher.

“Psychedelics and Depth Psychology: Treatment and Transformation in an Animated Cosmos” is a Graduate Certificate in Psychedelics and Depth Psychology that will be offered online by Pacifica Extension and International Studies over 13 weeks, with Dylan Hoffman being one of the instructors. The course will introduce essential topics in the current medical/psychiatric model of treatment and research as well as a deep dive into the indigenous history of these medicines, their cultural significance, and original worldview of the cosmos that challenges current Western societal perspectives. It will be held June 5, 2024 – August 28th, 2024. Register now!

Diane M. Goodman is Judge to the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, and she is also a graduate of our Ph.D. in Depth Psychology with Specialization in Jungian Psychology and Archetypal Studies (DJA). We’re delighted to speak with her about her time at Pacifica and her career.

Dr. Elizabeth Nelson teaches courses in research design, process, methodology, and dissertation development as well as dream, archetypal psychology, and technology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Her latest book is The Art of Inquiry: A Depth Psychological Perspective, and she also brings a background in somatics and dance

Dr. Elizabeth Nelson teaches courses in research design, process, methodology, and dissertation development as well as dream, archetypal psychology, and technology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Her latest book is The Art of Inquiry: A Depth Psychological Perspective, and she also brings a background in somatics and dance

Nicholas S. Literski is a lecturer in psychology, a professional spiritual guide, and an alumni of Pacifica’s Depth Psychology with Emphasis in Jungian and Archetypal Studies program. I’m delighted to hear more about their work and perspective.

Nicholas S. Literski is a lecturer in psychology, a professional spiritual guide, and an alumni of Pacifica’s Depth Psychology with Emphasis in Jungian and Archetypal Studies program. I’m delighted to hear more about their work and perspective.

With Diversity Equity and Inclusion policies, programs, and initiatives under the microscope of legislative and political pressures across the higher education landscape, Pacifica Graduate Institute – with its motto to “tend to the soul in and of the world” – maintains its unwavering commitment to nurturing an environment in its depth psychological academic community where diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are integral.  This dedication is embodied in the announcement of its new Vice President of People, Culture, and Belonging, Deneatrice A. Lewis, MS.

Loralee M. Scott is the Senior Director of Pacifica Extension and International Studies, bringing over two decades of successful organizational leadership and a proven track record of post-graduate, Jungian informed curriculum design, development, and delivery. But she is also a dancer and an award-winning choreographer.

Sharon Blackie is a psychologist, mythologist, and author of the best-selling If Women Rose Rooted, among her many other publications. The Sunday Times says of her, “She knows her archetypes, knows her Jung, knows her fairytales, and knows her neuroscience, and is sick of being patronised by men who don’t.” She is also teaching Pacifica Extension and International Studies’ “Graduate Certificate: Finding Ourselves in Fairytales: A Narrative Psychological Approach” May 18th – December 7th, 2024. I’m delighted to speak with Sharon about her work and perspective.

As we celebrate Earth Day, we reflect on our collective and individual relationship with nature, our commitment to sustainability, and the ways we can continue to reduce our environmental impact and fight for the necessary changes to address the needs of our planet. At Pacifica Graduate Institute, we believe that promoting sustainability, protection, and restoration, as well as connecting with the awe and wonder of nature are essential parts of our mission of tending the soul of the world. We believe in the power of education to inspire positive change in the world and meet the urgent environmental challenges we face. Our programs encourage students to explore ecological sustainability, environmental justice, and social responsibility.

Sharon Blackie is a psychologist, mythologist, and author of the best-selling If Women Rose Rooted, among her many other publications. The Sunday Times says of her, “She knows her archetypes, knows her Jung, knows her fairytales, and knows her neuroscience, and is sick of being patronised by men who don’t.” She is also teaching Pacifica Extension and International Studies’ “Graduate Certificate: Finding Ourselves in Fairytales: A Narrative Psychological Approach” May 18th – December 7th, 2024. I’m delighted to speak with Sharon about her work and perspective.

David Odorisio, Ph.D., currently the Co-Chair of Pacifica’s Mythological Studies program, will be leading the launch of a new M.A./Ph.D. program in Fall 2024, in Psychology, Religion, and Consciousness. This is the final part in a two-part interview

Connie Alexander-Boaitey is the co-founder of Gateway Educational Services, advocating for Santa Barbara’s underserved students through education. She is also the current president of the Santa Barbara NAACP. On April 20th, the NAACP is holding the “Black Women’s Health Equity Conference”  in Santa Barbara, a free event for Black women from Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Maria & Lompoc. PGI President & CEO Dr. Leonie H. Mattison will be speaking at and participating in the conference. We’re delighted to hear more about Connie’s work in Part I of II of this interview, which is part of the Pacifica Soul Promise Series.

David Odorisio, Ph.D., currently the Co-Chair of Pacifica’s Mythological Studies program, will be leading the launch of a new M.A./Ph.D. program in Fall 2024, in Psychology, Religion, and Consciousness.

Connie Alexander-Boaitey is the co-founder of Gateway Educational Services, advocating for Santa Barbara’s underserved students through education. She is also the current president of the Santa Barbara NAACP. On April 20th, the NAACP is holding the “Black Women’s Health Equity Conference”  in Santa Barbara, a free event for Black women from Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Maria & Lompoc. PGI President & CEO Dr. Leonie H. Mattison will be speaking at and participating in the conference. We’re delighted to hear more about Connie’s work in Part I of II of this interview, which is part of the Pacifica Soul Promise Series.

Dr. Leonie H. Mattison, Pacifica Graduate Institute’s President & CEO pays tribute to César Chávez on César Chávez Day.

Juliet Rohde-Brown, Ph.D., is the Chair for the Depth Psychology: Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices doctoral specialization program at Pacifica Graduate Institute, and a mentor to many. She will be teaching the Pacifica Extension course, “Shadow and Society: The Forgotten Child in Collective Contexts,” on April 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2024. The class will be offered live on Zoom.

Gather a hundred people in a room and ask them to name a woman who they admire, and you will likely get a hundred different answers. Ask a Pacifica scholar to do the same, and you have Pacifica Extensions “Trailblazers, Renegades and Mystics” Series, featuring PGI faculty members delving into the lives of extraordinary women who have shaped history. In this thought-provoking, five-part series, Mary Wood, David Odorisio, Camille Harris, Emily Lord-Kambitsch, and Dylan Hoffman offer a depth psychological snapshot of trail-blazing women. These half-hour long talks, available free on Pacifica’s YouTube channel, illuminate the complexities, contributions and relevance of these women’s lives and work for the contemporary challenges we face today.

Caroline Anton is a third-year student in our Counseling Psychology Program, who was one of four students who was awarded a scholarship through Pacifica Extension and Student Services to attend Pacifica’s “Individuation and Psychedelics Conversations with Jungian Analysts” conference, which was held Dec 15-17, 2023. We’re delighted to speak with Caroline about the conference and also her professional experience prior to coming to Pacifica.

Patricia O. Katsky is a core faculty member of the Specialization in Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices and was formerly provost at Pacifica. We’re delighted to speak with her about her experiences in becoming a therapist and also about her years of service at Pacifica.

At Pacifica, we choose to honor women every day of the year, and to invite inclusivity always. But as Women’s History Month and March 8’s International Women’s Day invite us to highlight the contributions of women and encourage inclusivity, we wanted to focus on something near to our hearts and minds, which is “Women Making History in Depth Psychology.”

Maureen Murdock is the author of the best-selling book, The Heroine’s Journey, which explores the rich territory of the feminine psyche. She was also the Chair and Core Faculty of the MA Counseling Psychology Program at Pacifica. She will be co-teaching Pacifica Extension’s “Writing Down the Soul: An Archetypal and Mythological Approach to Memoir Writing” with Jennifer Selig March 23, 2024 – December 8th, 2024

As part of Pacifica Graduate Institute’s observance of World Teen Mental Wellness Day, we are delighted to be speaking with Dr. Myka Hanson, a PGI alumni who is the founder of Teen Forward.

Dr. Rajan is a graduate of Pacifica’s M.A./Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with Emphasis in Depth Psychology as well as an adjunct Professor at Pacifica. Her work focuses on mental health care to survivors of human trafficking, and she is an advocate and educator on the global human trafficking crisis. This topic may be a trigger for some readers, so please consider that before reading. and Psychedelics Conversations with Jungian Analysts” conference, which was held Dec 15-17, 2023. We’re delighted to speak with Caroline about the conference and also her professional experience prior to coming to Pacifica.

Isha Lucas is a second-year student in Depth Psychology with a specialization in Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices. She is also the creator of the tarot deck Woman of Light, as well as having a psychotherapy practice. We’re excited to speak with her about her tarot deck and her psychotherapy work.

Paul Redwood is an experienced board member & industry technology leader well-versed in the art of policy-setting, governance, & strategic direction for Fortune 500 corporations. His tenure as Chairman of the Organization of Machine Automation and Control (OMAC) showcased his ability to influence technology policy and drive change at a strategic level. He is currently the Managing Director for Redwood Design Engineering LLC. He earned his Masters degree in Engineering from NJIT and his Bachelors from Hofstra university.

Sierra Warren is a fourth-year student at Pacifica in the Clinical Psychology Program, who was one of four students who was awarded a scholarship through Pacifica Extension and Student Services to attend Pacifica’s “Individuation and Psychedelics Conversations with Jungian Analysts” conference, which was held Dec 15-17, 2023. We were delighted to speak with Sierra about her experience at the conference and also her academic work.

Monica Gangwar is a first-year student in the Counseling Psychology Program, who was one of four students who was awarded a scholarship through Pacifica Extension and Student Services to attend Pacifica’s “Individuation and Psychedelics Conversations with Jungian Analysts” conference, which was held Dec 15-17, 2023. We’re delighted to speak with Monica about the conference and also her professional experience prior to coming to Pacifica.

Isha Lucas is a second-year student in Depth Psychology with a specialization in Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices. She is also the creator of the tarot deck Woman of Light, as well as having a psychotherapy practice. We’re excited to speak with her about her tarot deck and her psychotherapy work.

An Interview with Alisa Orduña, Ph.D.Alisa is a graduate of Pacifica’s specialization in Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Eco-Psychology. She has been a practitioner, policy analyst, collaborator and thought leader in the urban community development field for the past 25 years

An Interview with Alisa Orduña, Ph.D.Alisa is a graduate of Pacifica’s specialization in Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Eco-Psychology. She has been a practitioner, policy analyst, collaborator and thought leader in the urban community development field for the past 25 years

Grace Hiu Phong is a licensed massage therapist, a first-generation immigrant, and a first-year student in Pacifica’s Ph.D. in Depth Psychology with Specialization in Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices. I’m delighted to speak with her about her work. ***Please note, one of the things we’ll be discussing is Grace’s internship at REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade). Although the content of our conversation is not graphic, it is, nonetheless a topic that may be traumatic for some. It is also timely, as January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Please feel free to skip reading this article if the topic is likely to be a trigger for you. Our intent is to show how professionals in psychology can assist in treating this global pandemic.**

Lindsay Fauntleroy is a second-year student of the Ph.D. in Depth Psychology with Specialization in Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices Program and currently runs TheSpiritSeed.org, creating flower essences and offering healing services. January is Mental Wellness Month, and I’m delighted to speak with Lindsay about her work and perhaps glean some tips on self-care to share with everyone.

Kira Kull is a student in the MA/PhD Mythological Studies Program with a specialization in Depth Psychology, as well as being the Co-Senior-Editor of the 2023 Mythological Studies Journal (Volume XI), which is now available to read online and print! MSJ is entirely student run and edited, featuring pieces by students enrolled in the MA/PhD Mythological Studies Program.

Laurel Bergsten is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in our MA/Ph.D. Mythological Studies Program with a specialization in Depth Psychology, as well as being the Co-Senior-Editor of the 2023 Mythological Studies Journal (Volume XI), which is now available to read online and print! MSJ is entirely student run and edited, featuring pieces by students enrolled in the MA/PhD Mythological Studies Program.

Holiday Wishes, Updates, & Annual Report from the Office of the President

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce the arrival of our new Vice President of Policy and General Counsel, Bahara Stapelberg, JD, MBA, who will commence her role on Monday, December 11. In this capacity, Bahara will play a vital role in guiding policy development, fostering collaboration, and spearheading training initiatives across the institute. Additionally, she will serve as a policy expert and spokesperson in legal and regulatory matters, contributing to our strategic vision for policy work on both state and federal levels.

Jeanine Canty, Ph.D., is the author of Returning the Self to Nature: Undoing Our Collective Narcissism and Healing the Planet and many other publications. Her teaching intersects issues of social and ecological justice connected to the process of worldview expansion and positive change. She will be co-teaching Pacifica’s “Advanced Training Certificate: Ecopsychology” January 26, 2024 – April 20, 2024 .

Andy Fisher, Ph.D., is a major figure in ecopsychology, having tracked and reflected on the development of the field for the last three decades. He will be co-teaching Pacifica’s “Advanced Training Certificate: Ecopsychology,” January 26, 2024 – April 20, 2024 via Zoom. I’m delighted to speak with him about the certificate and also his work on Radical Ecopsychology.

Pacifica is pleased to welcome Dr. Jenny Escobar to the position of Core Faculty in the M.A./Ph.D. Program in Depth Psychology with Specialization in Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Eco-Psychologies specialization. Dr. Escobar began teaching this fall, and I’m delighted to find out more about her work.

We are delighted to share a momentous achievement as we proudly unveil our Five-Year Strategic Plan, meticulously crafted through collaborative efforts with our esteemed faculty, dedicated staff, forward-thinking leadership, and supportive board.

Sulagna Sengupta will be teaching a four-class workshop titled “Animus, Psyche and Culture: A Jungian Revision” through Pacifica Online, on November 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th, 2023. I’m delighted to speak with her and find out more.

Dia de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a vibrant and sacred Mexican holiday celebrated worldwide. It’s a time to remember and celebrate the lives of our loved ones who have passed away. This beautiful tradition is a testament to the enduring connection between the living and the deceased, filled with colorful ofrendas (altars), marigolds, sugar skulls, and heartfelt memories.

Dr. Leslie Stein will be presenting at the “Individuation and Psychedelics Conversations with Jungian Analysts,” a joint IAAP and Pacifica Graduate Institute Conference, Dec 15-17, 2023, which will feature twenty discussants. I’m delighted to speak with him about his work and the conference.

On September 27 – October 1, 2023, Pacifica welcomed individuals from across the nation to our campus for Journey Week, “An Immersive Week of Learning and Connecting at Pacifica Graduate Institute,” which included a Wellness Day, BEAM Career Fair, and a weekend conference entitled “When Deep Calls to Deep: Journeys of the Soul for a Culture in Crisis.”

Lionel Corbett, Ph.d., core faculty at Pacifica, will be presenting at the “Individuation and Psychedelics Conversations with Jungian Analysts,” a joint IAAP and Pacifica Graduate Institute Conference, Dec 15-17, 2023, which will feature twenty discussants. I’m delighted to speak with him about his work and the conference.

Friday, September 22 marked a momentous and symbolic occasion for Pacifica Graduate Institute and OPUS Archives and Research Center as they proudly welcomed the esteemed President of Lithuania, Dr. Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian First Lady, Diana Nausėdienė, for an exclusive visit to the Marija Gimbutas Library and Archives, curated by OPUS Archives at Pacifica’s Lambert Road Campus in Carpinteria, California.

Earlier this year, Copenhagen Pride reached out to Santa Ynez Valley Pride in support of Pride celebrations and our work for the local LGBTQ+ community. It came after another organization had proposed rainbow banners in Solvang for Pride month, but the city council denied the banners. his got international coverage, and Copenhagen Pride learned that their Danish ancestry was being used to exclude the LGBTQ+ community. They said, wait a minute, Denmark is very progressive and has been leading the way for decades for LBGTQ+ rights.

This day is celebrated with festive fireworks, fiestas or parties, and lots of good food and music. The colors for the day are of the Mexican flag — red, white, and green — which are seen everywhere in public areas along with flowers and other decorations. Mexicans jubilantly blow whistles and horns and throw confetti,…

Pacifica’s Human Resource Team has something special planned for PGI students and staff, as well as the local community! In tandem with Pacifica Extension’s Journey Weekend, the HR Team, led by Norma Mesa, will host Wellness Day on our beautiful Ladera Campus on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023.

As part of Pacifica’s Journeys of the Soul Conference, an immersive weekend of learning and connecting at Pacifica Graduate Institute to be held September 29 – October 1, Susan Rowland, Ph.D., a faculty member of Pacifica’s M.A. in Depth Psychology and Creativity with Emphasis in the Arts and Humanities department, the 2023 C.G. Jung Award…

As part of Pacifica’s Journeys of the Soul Conference, an immersive weekend of learning and connecting at Pacifica Graduate Institute to be held September 29 – October 1, Bayo Akomolafe, Ph.D., an adjunct lecturer at Pacifica, a poet and the Executive Director and for The Emergence Network, will offer a special long-distance welcome and introduction…

As part of Pacifica’s Journeys of the Soul Conference, an immersive weekend of learning and connecting at Pacifica Graduate Institute to be held September 29 – October 1, Dick Russell, an award-winning investigative journalist and author of a biographical trilogy, The Life and Ideas of James Hillman, will be participating in an author salon with…

As part of Pacifica’s Journey week, an immersive week of learning and connecting at Pacifica Graduate Institute to be held September 27-October 1, Roland Palencia, documentarian and filmmaker, will be a featured presenter, screening the groundbreaking, PBS co-produced documentary film UNIDAD: Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos and discussing his longtime activism and advocacy within the…

The first is the moment when we connect and they realize that this is the perfect school and program for them, after talking about their goals and figuring out solutions to their challenges, and they feel motivated and sure of their decision, and they’re excited. I can totally feel that. They’re grateful for the connection…

Pacifica Graduate Institute Leadership Attends the Association of Black Psychologists’ 54th Annual Conference, “Homecoming: (Re) Claiming our Divine African Knowing, Being, Doing, and Belonging”   The Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) holds the mission of liberating the African Mind, empowering the African Character, and advancing the profession of African psychology. Their 54th annual conference, held…

Staff and Faculty enjoyed an employee summer BBQ at the Lambert Campus. Click to view photos of the fun and games.

Dr. Fanny Brewster, Ph.D., is the author of Race and the Unconscious: An Africanist Depth Psychology Perspective on Dreaming, as well as being a core faculty member of Pacifica Graduate Institute’s Depth Psychology with Specialization in Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices Program. She will be participating in the launch of her book on Friday, August…

Watching people get excited about Pacifica, and helping them through the journey of the admissions process. My goal is to make sure I’m selecting the right student for our program. Student retention is what’s important for me, not just how many students enter the program. I want to make sure students have the time for…

The Abakanowicz Arts and Culture Charitable Foundation (AACCF), in collaboration with Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association, is pleased to announce the 2023 Abakanowicz Community and Ecological Fieldwork and Research Fellowships.

Minh Tran will be mixing it up with our relational and object-relational friends for his first international “musical-lecture” presentation with the International Forum for Psychoanalytic Education.

An article featuring recent work by Pacifica adjunct faculty Victoria Stevens. Victoria is an adjunct faculty member in the Depth Psychology with Specialization in Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices program.

Dear Pacifica Community, This month, the US Supreme Court issued rulings in two affirmative action cases. The rulings in these two cases reversed 40 years of legal precedent. Despite the two rulings, Pacifica Graduate Institute continues to value diversity. As always, we will follow the law, but for the sake of tending soul of and…

The Advanced Training Certificate: Ecotherapy will be offered August 8th–November 4th, 2023 through Pacifica Online. Pacifica has been a trailblazer in offering a series of ecopsychology and ecotherapy online courses that make this material accessible to practitioners and the broader public. Linda Buzzell, LMFT, will be one of thirteen scholars leading this certificate. I’m delighted…

One teachable aspect of this emerged in my dissertation work. The focus of that was racial disparities in maternal healthcare. On the surface, that is read as there being something about these particular bodies that maintains this symptom of early maternal death, but this “racial group” is not the root cause, unlike the approach of…

Decolonizing is moving away from silos to more conceptual understandings. Depth psychology has that. I was invited to read the Art of Inquiry, the principles around psyche we had to learn and incorporate. Psyche, something we can’t see is real, is a radical departure from what you would call colonial logic, which is materialistic, which…

David M. Odorisio, PhD, is Co-Chair and Associate Core Faculty in Pacifica’s Mythological Studies graduate degree program. David is editor of A New Gnosis: Comic Books, Comparative Mythology, and Depth Psychology. I’m delighted to speak with him about his new book.

As we conclude Pride Month, it is important to remain committed to its values of inclusivity, compassion and the lifting up of voices all year round, especially as societal and judicial forces continue to undermine these values as seen in today’s Supreme Court ruling limiting protections for the LGBTQ+ community. Today we are inspired and…

Pacifica is proud to share the announcement of two new faculty emeriti, the highest recognition bestowed upon retiring faculty.

Joanna Gardnener is an alumni of and adjunct professor at Pacifica Graduate Institute, in the Mythological Studies specialization. She is also the co-founder of the Fates and Graces Mythologium, which will be held July 28-30, 2023, in Carpinteria, CA

Community Member Spotlights As part of celebrating Pride at Pacifica, we are spotlighting Pacifica staff, faculty, and learners. Today, we are proud to feature two of our staff: Lauren Lastra (Director of Academic Affairs & Learner Services) and Corion Douver (Admissions Coordinator). Read more about them and their stories below. If you are interested in…

The purpose of this panel discussion is to offer an intellectually stimulating conversation on the continued persistence of white supremacy, the racial wealth gap, unequal education, and persistent health disparities that African American contend with every day in the United States.

Juneteenth Santa Barbara is a local celebration of the national recognition of Black Independence Day. It is a collaborative effort to showcase Black culture, talent, and joy in Santa Barbara County. This event, now in its sixth year, centers around a free community block party that will be held in historically Black Santa Barbara, now…

The Board of Directors of the International Association for Jungian Studies (IAJS) has recently conducted a vote, and it is with great pleasure that we announce the recipient of this year’s prestigious C.G. Jung Award is Pacifica Graduate Institute’s very own Dr. Susan Rowland, Core Faculty and Advisor in Research and the Humanities in our…

Congratulations, 2023 Graduates! We would like to take a moment to congratulate all 2023 graduates on the completion of their graduate degree here at Pacifica Graduate Institute. We appreciate the hard work and dedication that you have devoted to your journey here with us. We acknowledge and appreciate all of the patience and steadfastness in…

The Counseling Psychology Department looks forward to hosting its annual Thesis Presentation Day on Friday, May 26th. This meaningful event provides an opportunity for graduating students of the MA Counseling Psychology program present their thesis research work to fellow classmates, loved ones, faculty, staff, and the larger Pacifica community.

Mental health is an extremely important part of every person’s individual well-being. It can impact our relationships, our work, our learning, and our overall quality of life, and in turn, how we interact with those around us.

I do not intend to, nor can I, speak of Judaism or Jewishness for all Jews; rather, here I intend to share my perspective as a Jewish person. In its history spanning millennia, Jews from all over the world have forged their own understandings. Growing up, Judaism to me came to mean valuing knowledge and…

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the importance of mental health care. At Pacifica Graduate Institute, we recognize the significance of mental health and believe in the power of depth psychology to address and enhance mental well-being. Our unique approach and emphasis on depth psychology contribute to…

Phil Garrity is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. He recently had a piece in the book Gemini and the Sacred: Twins and Twinship in Religion and Mythology. I’m delighted to speak with him about twinship, otherness, and his work and experience with critical illnesses.

This webinar will provide a forum for participants to engage with our faculty clinicians as they work with a theoretical clinical case. The Counseling Community Webinar Series provides opportunities for students, alumni, and faculty to engage in rich and meaningful conversation. These events will not be recorded and registration is required.

Camille Jarmie Harris, Ph.D. has recently joined the faculty at Pacifica in the Clinical Psychology program. This is Part II in the conversation I had with Dr. Harris about her work and teaching in hermeneutic analysis.

We are thrilled to welcome a remarkable group of individuals who have joined our community at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Each new hire brings their unique expertise and passion to our institution, enhancing our commitment to depth psychology, myth, and transformative education. Get to know our exceptional new colleagues below.

Marshall Chrostowski, beloved Pacifica ‘Elder, steward of the land, animals and community,’ passed away peacefully at home this morning, surrounded by his great love Micheline Lanctot, daughters Kristen McClintock and  Linda Grund. He was a remarkable man, who tended soul in and of the world.

Introducing Our Esteemed Program Chairs at Pacifica Graduate Institute. At Pacifica Graduate Institute, we are privileged to have a distinguished group of Program Chairs who lead our renowned graduate degree programs with expertise, vision, and a deep commitment to the exploration of depth psychology, mythology and the humanities. Get to know our esteemed Program Chairs…

The Department of Admissions is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Director of Admissions, Jessica Rubinstein, M.S.Ed. Jessica has worked in the Admissions Department at Pacifica for four years, with the last two years serving as the Associate Director of Admissions Operations. She has a passion for diversity, social justice, trauma-informed psychology, and…

Camille Jarmie Harris, Ph.D. has recently joined the faculty at Pacifica in the Clinical Psychology program. I’m excited to hear more about her work and teaching in hermeneutic analysis.

The Pacific Coast Business Times honored its 2023 Top Women in Business class at its event on Thursday, April 20 at the Santa Barbara Hilton. This year’s editor’s picks included Pacifica Graduate Institute’s Dr. Leonie Mattison, President and CEO of Pacifica Graduate Institute.

César Chávez Day is a day to honor the legacy of one of the most important civil rights leaders in American history. Chávez was a labor leader and activist who fought for the rights of farm workers in California and across the United States. He founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) union and led efforts in support of…

What is an archetype? On first hearing the term, you might think it means something like “stereotype.” But archetypes are far richer and more interesting than that, and provide one of the foundational aspects of Jungian depth psychology. One of the earliest beginnings of the idea may be Plato’s writings in the fourth century B.C.E..…

Our Guest Speaker is Dr. Clyde W. Ford author of The Hero with an African Face: Mythic Wisdom of Traditional Africa. As we extend Black History Month, we remember all those who have given Love, Spirit and Compassion to the struggle for equality and justice.  In this remembering we honor the African mythic tradition that…

We are delighted to announce that Pacifica Graduate Institute celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8th with a powerful theme of “Embrace Equity.” The event took place at 10am at the Barrett Center on Ladera, and attendees had the option to join virtually via Zoom by registering in advance. It was a remarkable gathering that…

As we continue our celebration of Black History Month, we wish to pay tribute to a few of the many influential, historical black psychologists and educators who made significant contributions to their fields and to advancements in civil rights and social justice.

As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, we honor those within our community for their contributions and achievements to Pacifica, local communities, and their field.  We are pleased to share more today about core faculty member, Dr. Fanny Brewster.

In celebration of the historical achievements of Black/African Americans for our country and specifically for our community, Pacifica Graduate Institute and its Alumni Association hosted a landmark celebration on Friday, February 17 at their Lambert Road Campus. In keeping with this year’s national theme, Black Resistance, as chosen by The Association for the Study of…

We are delighted to share that, effective February 1, 2023, Dr. Loraine Devos-Comby, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Learning, will be stepping into the role of Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs while we prepare to conduct a national search​ to select a permanent ​appointment to that position.  Dr. Devos-Comby joined Pacifica Graduate Institute…

Evolution and Growth in the Integrative Therapy and Healing Program: An Interview with Juliet Rohde-Brown, Ph.D. Juliet Rohde-Brown, Ph.D. is the Chair for the Depth Psychology: Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices doctoral specialization program at Pacifica Graduate Institute. I’m delighted to speak with her to hear about the program’s evolution and growth.

Congratulations to David M. Odorisio, PhD, Co-Chair of the Mythological Studies program, on his recent publication, “A New Gnosis: Comic Books, Comparative Mythology, and Depth Psychology”.

Mary A. Wood, Ph.D., is the Chair of the M.A. Depth Psychology and Creativity with Emphasis in the Arts and Humanities program, which is currently accepting applications for Spring and Fall. She will be presenting the webinar “World-Bridging and Shapeshifting: Soul, Image, and Imagination in Gloria Anzaldúa, James Hillman, and C.G. Jung” on January 13th.…

An Interview with Brian Stafford, M.D., M.P.H. “Soulcraft skills and practices evoke the world-shifting experience of soul encounter —the revelation of our unique mythopoetic identity, an identity expressed through symbol and metaphor, image and dream, archetype and myth, an identity embodied in a mysterious story that whispers to us in moments of expanded awareness and…

Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association Gala to honor Dr. Stephen Aizenstat and benefit Scholarship Fund on October 8, 2022 Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association (PGIAA) is excited to announce “Grace, Grit, and Gratitude” a Gala Celebration honoring Dr. Stephen Aizenstat, Founder and Chancellor Emeritus of Pacifica Graduate Institute, on October 8th. As the founding President…

Dr. Thomas Singer will be giving a keynote presentation, “Portals to the Imaginal in a Digital Era: Cultural Complexes and the Mythopoetic Imagination in the 21st Century,” for Pacifica’s upcoming event, “Portals to the Imaginal: Re-Visioning Depth Psychology for the 21st Century,” on October 7-9, 2022. An immersive learning event in celebration of the campus…

Having come through the pandemic as a strong community at Pacifica, there is a delight and a joy in convening once again on campus for the 2022-23 school year, which our reopening conference, “Portals to the Imaginal: Re-Visioning Depth Psychology for the 21st Century”, will celebrate. Emily Chow-Kambitsch, Co-Chair and Associate Core Faculty in our…

I do think the psyche is so mysterious that we need symbols—both imaginal and material—to mediate our relationship with the unknown. But such symbols aren’t of our making, not things we construct for ourselves in an attempt to make sense of the psyche. That kind of attempt would be useless in terms of understanding the…

The margins of consciousness have shifted. The original conception of “the unconscious” as a meaningful and influential force needs reformulation. Ideas associated with depth psychology have been increasingly adopted into the mainstream of modern culture, such as the ubiquitous influence of unconscious processes on behavior or archetypal elements operating in society. But if depth psychology…

Photos by Timothy Teague. You can view the entire gallery of photos here. 

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling, overturning Roe v. Wade, erodes almost 50 years of precedent protecting equitable access to women’s reproductive health, right to make private, informed choices about their health care, and their futures. This move towards increasing political activism by the court in removing reproductive rights threatens lives, well-being and security for many…

Dr. Corbett serves as a professor of depth psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. He is the author of several books, the most recent of which is The God-Image from Antiquity to Jung. I am delighted to speak to him about his work with the God image in the context of Jung’s scholarship.

At no other point in the history of humanity has ecological survival been so imminently threatened by climate crises. On June 3, Pacifica presents a half-day workshop, entitled Climate, Cosmology & Consciousness: From Chaos to Cosmos of three leading scholars and environmental activists for an emerging and inspired vision of a possible path forward as…

Pacifica is honored to be included on the 2021-2022 Fulbright Program “Top Producing Institutions” of Fulbright U.S. Students, as announced in The Chronicle of Higher Education on February 27, 2022. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken congratulated Pacifica, saying, “This achievement is a testament to your institution’s deep commitment to international exchange and to building lasting connections between…

Mary Antonia Wood is the Chair of the M.A. in Depth Psychology and Creativity with Emphasis in the Arts and Humanities at Pacifica Graduate Institute, and has published The Archetypal Artist: Reimagining Creativity and the Call to Create, a book that addresses the confluence of Jungian and archetypal psychologies, the artist, the shaman, and creativity…

On behalf of Pacifica Graduate Institute, I express deep sadness and profound concern for the sovereign nation of Ukraine. Ukraine’s people want to decide their own destiny. The tremendous suffering being inflicted on the Ukrainian people is unwarranted, unacceptable, and wholly undeserved. We stand and join much of the world community in deploring the senseless…

Susan Rowland, core faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute, and author of The Sleuth and the Goddess in Women’s Detective Fiction, among other works of academic writing and fiction, has just had a new book published by Chiron Publications, The Sacred Well Murders. “A simple job turns deadly when Mary Wandwalker, novice detective, is hired to…

Many students and alumni have said that when they started their academic careers at Pacifica, they did so because it felt like they had found their calling, or that they had come home. Some say that is due to the tranquil and meditative environments our campuses provide for learning and growth. Another reason, however, is…

Just minutes from one of the most beautiful isolated beaches, nestled among old-growth oaks between the mountains and the sea, lies Pacifica Graduate Institute. Founded over 40 years ago in Isla Vista, California, Pacifica’s mission is to foster creative learning and research in the fields of psychology, mythology, and the humanities, framed in the traditions…

“By extending the concepts of psychology and mythological studies beyond the personal, beyond the consulting room, and beyond the classroom, we see psychological life as an evolutionary development within nature, alive in all the phenomena and systems of our world. In studying and working with these multidimensional exchanges, we facilitate contributions to the contemporary concerns…