Author: Iveta Upeniece
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Advent season
Winter has arrived—the moment when Hades has abducted Persephone, and Demeter is drowning in tears, neglecting her duties. In every individual’s psyche, the experiences of great trauma, loss, and encounters with death leave an everlasting imprint. These traumatic experiences can keep a person’s Ego trapped in an eternal Hades—the negative pole of the Self. However,…
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Mom, When Did We Become Friends?
There are moments in my psychotherapy practice that stay with me for a long time, warming my heart. One such example is when I can help a mother distinguish between her own past traumas and projections and her child’s reality. “Mom, when did we become friends?”“Well, when you were born!”“No, not then… sometime later, just…
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Reflecting on Love Through Jungian Psychology: Inspired by Carmen
While watching Carmen, I found myself asking: What is love? Anyone who has ever experienced it knows that love is a complex, overwhelming, and profound emotion—one that has been explored and described throughout the centuries. In Carmen’s case, love brings destructive consequences to those who experience it, and I am not just referring to the complications of relationships. 🙂 Jungian psychology offers a unique lens through…
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The Psychological Impact of Pregnancy Loss on Women
Today, I realized that some important topics are not discussed enough. One of them is the psychological consequences of losing a baby and how it affects a woman’s mental and emotional well-being. Experiencing the loss of a child is an unimaginably painful and devastating event that leaves an indelible mark on a mother’s psyche. The psychological effects of such a profound loss are multidimensional, involving various emotions and…
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From Time to Time, We Call Each Other Best Friends
Research shows that friendship is the foundation of long-term relationships. Genuine friendship forms the basis for lasting romantic relationships. In my work with couples, I have observed that partners who maintain a true friendship throughout their marriage are psychologically more resilient during conflicts and report higher overall satisfaction in their relationship. Studies also indicate that people in healthy relationships…
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“My child is a narcissist!”
Sometimes, in my work, I hear things that make me reflect, and until I put them on paper, I can’t stop thinking about them. For example: “My child is a narcissist!” To be honest, statements like this from parents concern me. Even if teenage behavior can sometimes appear selfish, this is actually part of their psychological development—their task is…
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Narcissism is not always grandiose
Reflections After a Conversation with a Client Narcissism is not always grandiose, as one might think. It can also manifest in learned helplessness, where a person readily shifts their responsibilities onto someone else—even in small matters, such as making a restaurant reservation, paying bills, cleaning the house, or cooking meals. At some point, a person may begin…
Psychotherapy 