Therapy Rocks! | Gotta Believe in Something
On God, Gurus, and the New Search for Meaning
Welcome to Therapy Sucks Rocks a bi-monthly round-up of things I have found interesting in therapy world and beyond with some opinions attached. I will be doing this along with my regular posts on various topics. Lets get going..
God is Having a Moment. Are We Ready in Therapy?
I heard a guy say once that Los Angeles is the most spiritual place in the world. On every street corner (metaphorically speaking) there is someone selling some form of spirituality. It’s not untrue. LA is the capitol of the spiritual but not religious. I’ll save a comment on that for another day. Anyway, it seems there’s a widespread spiritual hunger growing. America’s secularization is on pause, people have stopped leaving churches, and religion is taking a more prominent role in public life. How’s that playing out in your therapy?
People Are Losing Loved Ones to AI-Fueled Spiritual Fantasies
I suppose it’s inevitable that a growing spiritual hunger will bring out the con’s. Self-styled prophets are claiming they have "awakened" chatbots and accessed the secrets of the universe through ChatGPT. These “guru’s” are going to make for great Netflix documentaries in the next several years..
Americans Haven’t Found a Satisfying Alternative to Religion
Those without religious affiliation in particular rank lower on key metrics of well-being. They feel less connected to others, less spiritually at peace and they experience less awe and gratitude regularly. But can the current places of worship deliver?
Inside London’s hipster church scene, where Gen Z is finding God
This is one way to try and capture some folks. Gen Z is now the second largest demographic in church attendance behind the over-65s.
Some stuff I am up to..
IMAGINE: A RETREAT FOR VISIONARIES
Join us in stunning Sedona, AZ for Relational Summit 4 a 3-day immersive experience for those ready to envision and embody new possibilities and imagine otherwise.
Led by Elizabeth Armstrong, MA, LMFT & Chris Hoff, PhD, LMFT, this retreat invites you to explore your imaginative landscape through:
Transformative Workshops
Zen Meditation & Gentle Yoga
Group Hike to Vortex
Sound Bath for Deep Relaxation
Plant-Based Meals & Refreshments
E’s Famous Gift Bags
Sept. 4–6, 2025
$599 | Early Bird: $499 by July 1st
To register: elizabetharmstrongtherapy@gmail.com
Imagine what’s possible when you step away from the noise and into the spaciousness of Sedona. This is your time to reflect, restore, and reimagine.
Come find me at the Printed Matter LA Art Book Fair this weekend! I’ll be at the Thick Press booth all day Sunday and doing a signing at 3pm for my new limited edition zine: What If the Idea of Community is a Political Fantasy? It’s a collection of writing and ideas I’ve been working on and will go fast. I'm so happy to have a zine.
I’ll also be happy to sign your copy of An Encyclopedia of Radical Helping if you want one. Come say hello, grab a zine or encyclopedia, and let’s imagine otherwise.
Excited to participate in the 2nd Annual Contemporary Narrative Therapy Conference- November 6-8, 2025. Space is limited to 175 participants.
This year's conference theme is "Narrative Therapy's Unfinished Projects" and will explore ideas, concepts, and practices in narrative therapy that were introduced by Michael White and David Epston but were left unfinished. Presentations will highlight how they are taking up these yet to be explored ideas in their thinking and areas of practice. During this unique workshop style conference we will offer participants an in depth look at the latest thinking in contemporary narrative therapy, and as always, show a narrative therapy that is expanding and on the move.
Have you joined the Liminal Lab by California Family Institute of Patreon yet? The best kept secret in the therapy world. Don’t miss out on all the awesome content coming for just the cost of a Latte a month.
Peace.