Books like Symbol, story, and ceremony by Gene Combs

Joseph Campbell explores mythology as the world’s song, discussing its relevance for modern life, faith, and culture with interviewer Bill Moyers in this engaging dialogue.

Joseph Campbell’s classic study of myth examines how recurring hero narratives shape human experience and inspire modern storytelling, from ancient folklore to contemporary cinema.

Many family therapy models inadvertently support the antiquated maxim that children should be seen and not heard, concentrating on "adult talk" and overlooking or discounting children's and adolescents' distinctive wisdom and abilities. Conversely, play therapy approaches, with their focus on long-term, expert-oriented, intrapsychic issues, often obscure the pressing contextual concerns of parents. Bringing together an array of renowned, highly creative contributors, this much-needed book demonstrates how narrative and collaborative work with young people can bridge the gap between the seemingly disparate worlds of adults and children - and can foster unique and imaginative solutions to even the most challenging clinical problems. Showcasing approaches as creative and playful as young clients themselves, the book presents therapy as a dialogue of discovery. Through transcripts and compelling case examples, contributors illuminate how drama, art, play, and humor can be used effectively to engage with children of different ages, and to honor their idiosyncratic language, knowledge, and perspective.

An examination of myths as they are immediately present in the consciousness and unconsciousness of contemporary living people in the West. May traces myths--Classical Greece, Dante's Middle Ages, European legend, and contemporary American life--and relates them to the dreams and associations he encounters in his practice as a psychotherapist.

Developing Ericksonian therapy, by Jeffrey K. Zeig, investigates the application of Ericksonian principles within psychotherapy, hypnotic practice, and psychoanalytic contexts, citing therapeutic congresses and research settings.

This book describes the clinical application of the growing body of ideas and practices that has come to be known as narrative therapy. The primary focus is on the ways of working that have arisen among therapists who, inspired by the pioneering efforts of Michael White and David Epston, have organized their thinking around two metaphors: narrative and social construction. The authors are as concerned with attitude as with technique. Believing that a solid grounding in the worldview from which narrative practices spring is essential, they begin with an overview of the historical, philosophical, and ideological aspects of the narrative/social constructionist perspective. This involves also telling the story of their own development as particular therapists in a particular part of the world during a particular historical period. The heart of the book is devoted to specific clinical practices: locating problems in their sociocultural context, opening space for alternative stories, developing stories, questioning, reflecting, thickening plots, and spreading the news. Each practice is described, located in relation to the ideas and attitudes that support it, and illustrated with clinical examples. In addition to conversations with people illustrating particular practices, three transcripts are included to show the subtle use of questions to develop alternative, preferred realities. Drawing upon the thinking of White and Epston, Karl Tomm, and others, the final chapter looks at the ethics of relationship that guide narrative therapists in the use of specific practices.

Talking to the Gods explore the linkages between the imaginative literature and the occult beliefs and practices of four writers who were members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. William Butler Yeats, Arthur Machen, Algernon Blackwood, and Dion Fortune were all members of the occult organization for various periods from 1890 to 1930. Yeats, of course, is both a canonical and well-loved poet. Machen is revered as a master of the weird tale. Blackwood's work dealing with the supernatural was popular during the first half of the twentieth century and has been influential in the development of the fantasy genre. Fortune's books are acknowledged as harbingers of trends in second-wave feminist spirituality. Susan Johnston Graf examines practices, beliefs, and ideas engendered within the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawg and demonstrates how these are manifest in each author's work, including Yeats's major theoretical work, A Vision. -- from back cover.