Member Highlight — Shelley Horner, LMFT

Doris Mullen, LMFT

Some people dwell in a creative world much to the awe of other people. Doris Mullen, LMFT, is an artistic, depth-oriented therapist in private practice. She has created a deck of archetypal cards to help clients discover their unconscious desires, deep seeded wounds, and what keeps them stuck in familiar negative patterns. The deck of hand painted female figures is called “Archetypal Cards: Images of the Feminine.” The deck depicting feminine images, can be used for men and women to uncover symbols that evoke what has been hidden from conscious thought; helping therapists work with their clients toward healing and discovery that is authentic to the client. Doris says, “Using an archetypal framework helps to awaken universal typologies that clients may see in themselves or figures from their lives or imagination. Stories may evolve from there, helping deepen the therapeutic experience.”

Doris helped me do a reading, however, unlike a Tarot Deck, the cards were picked by me while looking at the images. She asked me to select six cards that my eye went to rather than trying to think about them. Doris had me talk about each image without showing the archetypal description on the back of each card. That would come later if it was relevant to my associations with the image. This process is more Jungian than Freudian. Doris stated that it’s “organic rather than intellectual so that the unconscious can finally speak.” Unconscious desires and feelings are often dismissed by the analytical mind. Doris’ cards helped to unlock my feelings about myself. These feelings are typically hidden from us as we deem them unacceptable to ourselves or others.

The first card I drew was an image of a strong woman’s face. After explaining how I identified with the image, Doris explained that this is the Warrior who fights for herself, is courageous, and can protect herself and others, overcoming obstacles. Next, I picked an image of what to me looked to be a dancer on stage, the Dreamer. After that, I chose a woman with wild hair and a face that had an animal quality to it—the Wild Woman who embodies an untamed wisdom that many in society fear. Then, I picked another strong female gazing intently at me—the Diva archetype. Doris helped me articulate my desire to use more of my Diva energy to influence others and be more direct with my needs. After that, I selected a woman holding a baby. The Mother image represents my deep desire to care for and love others. Last, I selected a graceful figure, the Sophisticate, which helps to balance out the Wild Woman, to express my authentic creative self in a manner that will be accepted in the outer world. Perhaps, giving presentations as a therapist to help people live better lives is my deep desire! I enjoyed the time reading the cards together. I was awestruck with her ability to intuit the messages through our amplification of the selected images.

If you would like to know more about Doris Mullen, LMFT, please go to her website www.thoughtfulpsych.com.

Shelley Horner, LMFT, enjoys writing the our Member Profile section since she likes getting to know her colleagues in depth. She is an actress, speaker and therapist. Shelley has had a private practice for more than twenty years. She assists adults, children, and teens as well as facilitates parent groups in her office in Calabasas. She also does consultation and training of employees through Employee Assistance Programs at various organizations and colleges.