We recently connected with Miriam Lamb and have shared our conversation below.

Miriam, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

Prior to receiving a MA degree from Sofia University, I studied cultural anthropology and business/human resources. I pursued these fields to gain awareness about how people operate in various cultural, systemic, and corporate contexts. However, after working for several years in human resources and experiencing my own challenges, I began seeking a career path that would provide greater personal satisfaction. I chose Sofia University (formerly Institute of Transpersonal Psychology) because of its rigorous programs which integrate counseling, somatic modalities, culture, ritual, and spirituality..

I am interested n the integration of mental/physical health and the intersectionality of environmental, social, gender, racial, multigenerational and-socioeconomic factors in the healing process. I also address school/youth related issues such as bullying, racism, academic issues, ADHD, low self-esteem, and self-harm.

I began taking classes in holistic topics, reiki, and kundalini yoga. These classes prompted me to enroll in Sofia University (formerly Institute of Transpersonal Psychology). During my time there, I began having spiritual/transcendent and peak experiences that helped me get through challenging times. I noticed that there were synchronicities and patterns in life, and that this Earthly learning school was not a series of “random puzzle pieces.” I had many healers help me along the way to integrate these experiences which were foreign to me at the time. Studying transpersonal psychology
(which is the study of self and our higher consciousness) helped me understand the unusual phenomena I was experiencing. These experiences resulted in me writing a book which I am finishing; and they have informed/inspired my songwriting, poetry and screenwriting endeavors.

I am interested in the whole body-whole mind approach to medicine, mental-health, and healing. I have always been interested in how individuals are influenced by their-macro and micro-environments— their families, cultures, and societies. I believe that the question of defining oneself is not a simple one. I help individuals discover their higher selves and fullest potential, and believe the therapeutic alliance is a partnership. I utilize creative individualized holistic and traditional therapies to best suit client’s’ therapeutic goals. I have experience working in school systems/private practices/agencies in Orange County, the Central Coast, the Bay Area, Thousand Oaks, and Los Angeles.

‘My first job was working with underserved youth in the school system. I thoroughly love what I do. It can be difficult to see others go through so much on many levels, but it is important to convey that there is hope at the end of the road. It’s all about achieving authenticity and losing fear. I believe that through life experiences and learning from clients, I am always trying to become a better version of myself.

I understand that the mental health and medical system can be difficult for many to navigate. I went through some challenges and saw how things operate from the “inside,” which prompted me to study public health. There are definitely discrepancies in the way people are treated I would love to become a patient advocate.

I use modalities/approaches such as guided visualization; psychodynamic therapy; mindfulness; EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing); meditation; transpersonal/humanistic/Jungian therapies; dreamwork; somatic/narrative approaches; creative expression; and CBT/psychodynamic therapies amongst others. Examples of creative expression and transpersonal therapy include poetry/sound, music, song, dance, spiritual/mind/body/spirit exploration, role play, and art. I believe in the power of play, passion, and fun as tools for “overcoming” when appropriate. Irrespective of modalities or approaches used, I believe a positive and safe therapeutic alliance is paramount. I will be reopening my remote private practice business tentatively early next year. I would like to do workshops which integrate art, music, holistic healing and other modalities to help people explore creative expression in their own growth.

I work with clients to explore their unconscious belief systems, family concerns/patterns, and unique stories, all useful in helping clients achieve their goals and authenticity. I believe that the processes of releasing emotional pain; gaining insight; changing core beliefs; and deepening one’s spiritual evolution (if applicable) are completely intertwined. I uses a warm, conversational approach and believe everyone has the innate ability to transform and become the best version of themselves.

The recruitment process into this field is a Masters in Psychology. One can pursue the licensure route and do 3000 hours of intern training or the non- licensure route and market oneself in the field. There are always ample opportunities to do continuing education units and certificates in the field to supplement one’s work.

Miriam, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am still trying to figure out the question of what it takes to make us happy and achieve true authenticity. I have gone through tremendous difficulties on a mind/body/spirit level and can see the subtle energies in life. I have experienced many things on the unseen realm and my intuition has guided me immensely.. I believe there are many talented practitioners, but I believe what sets me apart from sone is that I am regularly trying to find ways to ensure that I find new mediums and mechanisms for helping clients achieve their goals. I try to think of unique ways to expand on traditional therapy by engaging clients in a fully immersive experience which stimulates all of the senses; using sight, sound, touch, role play, movement, dance, audiovisual exercises, meditation, somatic work and spirituality.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Over the last 10 years, I experienced grief, loss, health challenges and family concerns. When faced with feeling like you are losing everything, you have no one to face but yourself. You are confronted with your deepest fears and I believe it is important to “slay” them and transform into your next chapter; it wasn’t easy, but I sought out healers, alternative modalities and allowed myself to have moments to emote. I keenly observed my shadow side and areas for me to work on. Writing was a huge therapeutic fool. I was fortunate to have many resources at my disposal and I know not everyone does. However, I learned that we can often be our own healer. I persevered when the odds were against me. When at my worse, I asked myself what my mission and purpose was. I wanted to explore how the body works and systemic inequities. That is when I decided to start studying public health, which is when I began to heal. It was all about mission and purpose. During this time, I had to compartmentalize my work and personal life. I also had to take time off to be of best service to my clients. I also am a physical empath, so I realized the need for either transforming personal relationships (that were not energetically aligned), or letting them go in a thoughtful manner, was a must.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

About 2 years ago, I met a person who changed my life forever. This may not resonate with everyone, but I have met people who feel connected on a deep soul level. Although I believe everyone is a teacher, this person brought up many aspects of myself which had been repressed. It didn’t end well because of a misunderstanding, I believe we taught each other about various areas which needed to heal. I wanted to reach out because I wanted to tell the person all the experiences I was having, but realized some people are here for a “reason and season,” and some connections are about universal timing. However, this person set a “template” for people who I would meet from then on out. Each of them had that spiritual/telepathic connection and were great teachers. Through ten, I discovered passions, likes, dislikes and the road to authenticity which an ongoing feat. I seem to only meet soul connected people these days and I believe it is no accident in my evolution. If this person is reading this, he changed my life forever. I only reached out because there were many unexplained phenomena that transpired in the spiritual, transcendent abd telepathic levels. I will never forget this learning experience.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: mirtheresa_newlife
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buddhazenchic?mibextid=b06tZ0
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriam-lamb-29215