Therapeutic Tarot
What is Therapeutic Tarot?
Therapeutic is a form of expressive arts therapy that uses the imagery of tarot and oracle cards to delve more deeply into understanding your experiences, relationships and patterns. Using your favorite tarot and oracle decks to explore and illuminate personal truths, you can expect an experience that is interactive and immersive. Unlike Divination Tarot, in Therapeutic Tarot, you are the “reader”. Here, you interpret the meaning of the images presented by the cards, while being guided through your personal associations, unfolding the narrative told by the images, This approach engages your unconscious in a way that allows access to emotions and personal truths that are otherwise hidden, much like dream work.
Archetypal imagery invites us into the universality of human experience. With Therapeutic Tarot, we engage in a dynamic practice that actively involves the body, mind, and emotions. Cards may be chosen at random or deliberately, to answer questions or to tell a story. The experiential approach enriches the process of working with the cards through various techniques, such as visualization, storytelling, creative expression, and movement, allowing for a more personal connection to the symbolic world and its collective meanings.
Exploration Through Imagery
No prior experience with tarot is necessary, as this is simply a path of exploration through imagery. If you don’t have your own cards, I have a variety to share during in-person and virtual sessions.
Therapeutic Tarot sessions are versatile and can be incorporated into ongoing therapy or as a stand-alone process. Try a single session, choose an ongoing rhythm or weave it into a holistic psychotherapy process.
Therapeutic Tarot is used to support:
- Self-Reflection
- Emotional Exploration & Integration
- Personal Empowerment and Liberation
- Deeper Insight and Connection with Self
- Emotional Exploration
- Imagination and Enhanced Creativity
- Inner-child Work
- Addressing the “unsayable”
The psychological mechanism for transforming energy is the symbol. ~ Carl Jung
Karen Baker, LMFT Background
Karen is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Hawaii and California, and offers therapeutic tarot globally. Karen holds a Master’s degree in Somatic Psychology and a certification in Sex Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Her professional influences also include extensive training in massage and bodywork, yoga and spirituality. Karen has been guiding clients toward greater self-awareness through the use of tarot and oracle imagery since 2020 and considers it an integral aspect of her holistic healing practice. Most recently, Karen trained with Dreya Blume and Rebecca Bloom and fell in love with their approach to therapeutic tarot. Karen looks forward to deepening her practice through continuing education with both Dreya and Rebecca.
Who is Therapeutic Tarot For?
Therapeutic tarot is offered as a stand-alone process, or in conjunction with on-going psychotherapy. As a stand-alone process, it is perfectly alright to be in ongoing psychotherapy with another therapist, as this process serves a unique function. Through the use of archetypal imagery, this practice provides a door-way into the unconscious that talk-therapy and somatic work alone does not. Archetypal imagery connects us more deeply not only to our own unconscious but to the collective experience of humans throughout time.
Therapeutic Tarot is deeply intuitive and collaborative. Unlike traditional tarot (divination tarot), the meaning of the reading comes from within. In this process, I serve as your guide rather than your reader. The universal meanings of the cards inform my guidance, through questions and somatic explorations, while the meanings of the card images come through your psyche, illuminating answers to your questions with clarity that only you can provide. Rather than being told what is true for you, you will discover your own truths from within.
Therapeutic tarot is not for you if you prefer to have someone predict your future or explain your past, or if you prefer to be a passive participant in your card reading. While both use tarot, these are very different types of processes.
What to Expect in the Process of Therapeutic Tarot
The psyche speaks through symbol and metaphor.
♦ You will begin with setting an intention or identifying a specific issue or question you want to explore, such as emotional challenges, relationship concerns, or personal development goals. I provide guidance through this process if more clarity is needed.
♦ Based on your intention, we collaborate on what card formation to create. For example a single card, a series of cards or a card mandala. You then will select your cards from the deck, either randomly or intentionally according to the intention.
♦ Taking in the imagery, I guide you with reflective questions and somatic inquiry toward your personal meaning of the cards. This process can help bring unconscious feelings to the surface and offer new insights, perspectives and even inspiration.
How to make the most of your session:
♦ Bring a journal to session for taking notes.
♦ Follow your sessions with quiet, screen-free time — take a walk in nature, swim, nap, dance, write or draw. This allows the unconscious process to continue unfolding.
♦ Pay attention to your dreams the week of session, write them down and bring them to your next therapy session.
Therapeutic Tarot sessions are available to adult individuals via telehealth video anywhere in the world.
Scheduling Therapeutic Tarot
TELEHEALTH SESSIONS
Anywhere in the world
Sessions are conducted via telehealth, offering both video and phone options. Both options adhere to strict confidentiality and HIPAA compliant standards.
IN-PERSON SESSIONS
In-person sessions are available only in Chicago, IL.
$200 / 50-min session
Sliding scale rates may be available if finances are a barrier to working together. Let’s talk about it.
INSURANCE
I do not accept any forms of insurance coverage.
If your insurance coverage includes “out of network providers”, I may be able to provide a superbill.