When you think of a familiar memory, colors, images, scents and emotions can come to mind. Our imaginations hold the ability to transform even the simplest of experiences into sensorial memories. It is this same creativity that resides at the heart of the therapeutic hour. Inside the confines of the therapy room, we possess the power to recreate images that encapsulate our inner worlds and give voice to the thoughts and emotions that accompany us day after day.

Rosa Aurora Chavez is a graduate and board-certified psychoanalyst, currently serving as a teacher and supervisor at both the Washington-Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis and the China America Psychoanalytic Alliance. She is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at George Washington University. Rosa Aurora's expertise extends beyond her clinical practice as a researcher studying creativity and the creative process, exploring its interconnection with mental health.

On this episode of the Art of Listening, Rosa Aurora shares the story of a vibrant upbringing immersed in the world of art, and how it fueled her fascination around the creative process. Through her research, she has delved into the inner workings of creativity, shedding light on what stifles its potential and, conversely, what nurtures its flourishing. In her work as an analyst, she goes on discovering the purpose and the power of creativity. Together, we will uncover what lies at the nexus of creativity and mental health, and explore the role of imagination in the therapeutic process.

Join us as we venture into the human mind, to tap into the power of imagination and explore its potential to impact our lives.

Chapters

1 - Rosa Aurora’s upbringing and introduction to science and art

2 - Rosa Aurora’s research findings on the creative process

3 - How Rosa Aurora’s findings brought her back to analysis

4 - The use of creativity and imagery in the therapeutic setting

5 - The connection between creativity and love in Psychoanalysis

Links

• Rosa Aurora Chavez
• Rosa Aurora’s Research
• Eileen Dunn
• More from ‘The Art of Listening’

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, some words of advice keep coming back around: “Look after yourself”, “self-care first”... Simple, in theory. But how do we truly prioritize our well-being? What can we do to build confidence and strength, and balance out our emotions, when life challenges us? Today’s guest has long grappled with these fundamental questions.

Jamie Cromer Grue is a licensed clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst with over 25 years of clinical experience. She serves as an Executive Board member at the New Orleans-Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center and on the committee of the American Psychoanalytic Association. Outside of her therapeutic practice, she is also the CEO of Windows to Wisdom, a holistic wellness learning community for women.

On this episode of the Art of Listening, Jamie shares how she has embraced her intent to care in her professional and personal life. From her first steps into psychotherapy to finding a new spiritual approach to healing, Jamie has committed herself to self-care at every turn. Today, she reflects on the challenges encountered along the way and shows us how to leave a place of burnout and dissatisfaction, to find a new beginning.

Tune into Eileen and Jamie’s conversation for a true lesson in self-love, independence, and strength.

Chapters

1 - From Business to Psychology and Psychoanalysis

2 - How to find your voice and correct past behaviors

3 - Exploring the benefits of holistic practices

3 - Aligning mind, body, and spirit: Jamie’s personal story of spiritual discovery

5 - Committing to self-care to better heal others

Links

• Jamie Cromer Grue
• Windows to Wisdom
• Eileen Dunn
• More from ‘The Art of Listening’

Cultures are dynamic and powerful forces that shape our identities and influence our perspectives on the world. They serve as bridges, effortlessly connecting the depth of our heritage with the construction of our futures. But for Asian Americans, the balance between traditional values and modern ideals poses a distinct challenge as they strive to find their place within society.

Between visibility and invisibility, the pervasive presence of racism, the necessity for adaptation, and the negotiation between individuality and community… The Asian American experience is as complex as it is resilient. Today’s guest embodies this truth in more ways than one.

Kris Yi, Ph.D., Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst with more than 25 years of clinical experience. Throughout her career, she has dedicated her work to highlighting and raising awareness of the Asian American experience, and racial bias within psychoanalysis.

In today’s episode, Kris invites us to step into her world. She illustrates her journey from South Korea to the United States, sharing the challenges of migration, the enduring impact of cultural trauma, and the art of finding the balance between two distinct cultures. Determined to break free from bias, Kris lends her voice to the Art of Listening, to offer a fresh and often overlooked perspective that defies stereotypes.

Join us as Kris boldly rewrites the narrative of the Asian American experience, carving out a unique space within the realm of psychoanalysis.

Chapters

1 - Juggling Korean and American cultures (4:22)

2 - Anti-Asian racism and the Model Minority myth (10:41)

3 - Kris’s experiences with Discrimination and Hypersexualisation (17:14)

4 - Historical racism in Psychoanalysis (22:41)

5 - Bringing new visibility to the Asian Perspective (26:08)

Links

• Kris Yi
• Kris’ Journal on the Asian Perspective in Psychoanalysis
• Eileen Dunn
• More from ‘The Art of Listening’