This Blog:

 As you can see, I don't write here a lot.  Still, there might be something of interest in the past.

Psychology After Dark: Santa Muerte Interview

While there will always be a legitimate form, an official version, or an orthodoxy, sometimes it seems the “unofficial,” the “illegitimate,” or the “unorthodox,” can be just as powerful, and representative of an even more potent truth. The case of Santa Muerte, the Mexican folk-saint of death, is one such enigmatic example. She is a creation of the street people, the lower class, the poor and the suffering, in one of the largest cities in the world. She often attracts the worst: drug dealers, murders, thieves, and addicts. She also gives millions of people hope, acceptance, and, paradoxically, immense joy. In this second installment of The Cult of Santa Muerte, Drs. Micono and Morelos dive deeper into the utility and meaning of such a powerful figure with Mexico City psychotherapist and Santa Muerte researcher Antonio Primavera.

https://www.psychologyafterdark.com/podcast/episode-18-the-cult-of-santa-muerte-part-2 

 

Cybernetic Psychotherapy Supervision Group:

I would like to start a psychotherapy supervision group oriented around cybernetic (or systems) theory.  Ideally, we would meet once a week to discuss cases.  Familiarity with the work of Gregory Bateson and more specifically the book Change: Principles of Problem Formation and Problem Resolution (1974) is needed but not a prerequisite.  We would work with ongoing cases using paradox, second-order change, et al.  Ideal participants would be Masters or PhD/PsyD students, but any clinical practitioner is welcome.  In fact, those working in disparate disciplines could contribute some fresh air and ideas that apply to psychotherapy and are welcome to contact me.  Living in Mexico is not required.  Those in practicum could use this supervision group for credit in their respective programs.  I encourage those interested in participating to e-mail me with their details and we can go from there.  Most likely, we will meet via Skype.

My e-mail: primavera@post.harvard.edu
My site: https://antonioprimavera.com/

Me and Michell Obama:

https://www.bokus.com/bok/9781732467903/santa-muerte-and-the-mexican-death-cult/

This is hilarious!  A Norwegian book site, Bokus, suggests pairing my book with Michelle Obama's Becoming!  What a great Christmas gift!  And only 398 Kroner!  :)

This title, Becoming, is funny.  A philosopher once said that the will to be has been replaced by the will to become and, in the future, will be replaced by the will to appear, to seem.  Seeming would be a better title for a book by a woman whose fame comes from simply being married to a once-powerful man who received the Nobel Prize for Seeming, Appearing.

New Book!

Santa Muerte and the Mexican Death Cult
Antonio Primavera

Hello Friends, Family, Colleagues, Patients Current and Former!

My book Santa Muerte and the Mexican Death Cult is finally published and available through Amazon, Google, and the like.  Over ten years of research and writing has come to fruition.  I am heaving a deep sigh of relief.  Now, go buy the book!

https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Muerte-Mexican-Death-Cult/dp/1732467900/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1542290747&sr=8-1

BUY THE BOOK:
https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Muerte-Mexican-Death-Cult/dp/1732467900/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1542290747&sr=8-1

"Life Coaching"

I thought I might say a few words about the recent trend of “life coaching.” It has taken off lately, like barber shops, tattoos, and craft beer. In Mexico, one can practice psychotherapy with a Bachelor’s degree (which is not the case in the US). I think that’s great, as I have learned much more through years of practice than I ever learned in fancy, expensive schools. So, the sooner one begins practicing the better.

The thing with “life coaching,” is that it pretends to not be psychotherapy and masks itself with a sports metaphor. To be a “life coach,” one need only attend a talk and receive a certificate…or not. There are no rules or qualifications that govern “life coaching.” One can simply say, “I’m a life coach,” and one is a “life coach.”

Psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, psychiatrists, etc., have to go through many years of schooling, followed by possibly years of supervised practice for licensure, before they can call themselves such. In fact, in the US, one has to have a PhD to even be considered a psychologist.

So, that’s just my two cents. If one is helped by “life coaching,” then great! People can be helped in many ways by many different methods. Mexican curanderas (or traditional healers) have healed me when I have been physically sick. So there is no reason to believe that “life coaching” won’t be helpful to some…especially if they are into sports and being told what to do.

EXPOWEED

The English Translation:

It is the maximum meeting of the cannabis industry in Mexico, being the first educational fair with commercial exchange.

It is an event that originated in Chile, where it has been celebrated for 5 years, and since 2016 the Mexican edition has been held. Involving international speakers and workshops to provide knowledge of the medicinal, industrial, and ancestral uses of the cannabis plant.

Hopefully there will be information and sources for completely legal CBD (see previous posts).

http://www.expoweedmexico.com/