"Don’t ask yourself what the world needs;
ask yourself what makes you come alive.
And then go and do that. Because what the world needs
is people who have come alive."

Psychology can be literally translated as the expression or language of the soul.  In my own practice of psychology, allowing Soul to express itself is central. I believe that such intimate contact with Soul is what helps us to feel alive in the world- to live with passion in our lives.
The above quote captures the philosophy of Aletheia Psychological Services. We all have the potential to connect to those things about which we feel passionately. We all have at least some moments when we come alive. And we all deserve to live in the world in this alive-way. When we achieve this for ourselves, we also make the world a better place.

What each of us feels passionately about will differ. I know one young man who comes alive when he writes a song lyric that he really loves. A woman I know comes alive when she becomes a bit of an actress, interacting with her four-year old niece in a comedic sort of way.  And another lights up when she helps a frail person carry groceries to his or her car. In each of these examples, the expression of Soul is visible. Very often, we can describe such expressions utilizing the language of archetypes (universal forms or patterns):  The creator, the actress, the comedian, or the servant, for example.  Archetypes and passion have Soul as their common denominator.

Whereas examples of passionate or soulful living can be simple, getting there is not always easy. For many reasons, we may feel blocked or stuck on our paths through life. Childhood trauma or dysfunction, cultural messages, and difficult circumstances in one’s current life can all pose challenges to connecting with one’s passion, aliveness, or soul, leaving us feeling stuck and unable to move forward.

On the other hand, difficult circumstances can also be lived and experienced in passionate, soulful ways. We can grieve with soul, experience passionate longing, and live with uncertainty- or through a dark night- with the fullness that these experiences deserve. After all, tragedy and suffering are a natural part of life and can evoke enhanced self-knowledge, appreciation, empathy, and a deeper sense of meaning.

Discovering Soul in difficult circumstances, exploring blocks to passion, finding meaning in suffering, and reconnecting with oneself in ways that enhance aliveness are the goals that guide our work at Aletheia. The goals of our clients further guide our work. We work collaboratively with you to access and honor your wisdom, thereby helping you to live soulfully and to live more fully in your unique sense of aliveness. This philosophy guides our approach to psychotherapy, astrology, & consultation.  

I established Aletheia in 2006 as a place where I would be able to pursue the type of work I love to do and hopefully contribute, in some small way, to the betterment of the world that we all share. I enjoy working with individuals in psychotherapy and consultations. I consider it an honor that some people choose to invite me to walk along side them in their journeys of healing and self-discovery. My areas of interest are many and include grief and loss, issues pertaining to sexuality and creativity, fulfilling relationships, living with illness, and major life-transitions.

I received my degree and training at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where I studied existential-phenomenology. I am licensed as a psychologist in the state of Connecticut. In addition to psychotherapy, I write professionally and personally, practice astrology and interior design, and teach as an adjunct faculty at the University of Hartford’s Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology. I am also active as a board member with the CT Psychological Association and the Trauma Research, Education & Training Institute INC.  

If I can be of assistance in helping you to access the support you need or desire along your journey, please do not hesitate to call.

With warm regards,
Christine H. Farber, Ph.D.
Clinical psychologist and director of Aletheia Psychological Services LLC