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/

Mexico Could Make History By Treating CBD Like A Supplement, As It Should Be

 An interesting article, and in in Forbes Magazine no less.

CBD

With the legalization of marijuana/cannabis in many states in the US and many countries the world over, lots of new and interesting research is being done on this ancient medicinal plant.  

Of special interest here is Cannabidiol or CBD.  This is legal even in Mexico. The liberal government of the Distrito Federal (DF) (now known as Ciudad de Mexico or CDMX...marketing) decriminalized possession of small amounts of all drugs back in 2008, mostly to combat low-level police corruption.

 

But CBD is a "drug" that, despite coming from the marijuana plant, does not produce psychoactive effects.

The list of healthful effects that it does produce is pretty impressive: pain relief, reduction of anxiety and depression, alleviation of cancer-related symptoms, promotes heart health, among many others as outlined in this article or this article (W3C access compliant: https://dopasolution.com/cannabidiol/)

After talking with a colleague in the US about his experiences with CBD oil (I had never even heard of it.) a few months ago, I decided to give it a try myself.  I have to say that my overall sense of well-being is greatly improved.  Chronic pains that have plagued me for a long time are now gone.  I feel generally more relaxed, yet alert.  

I sound like a salesman!  I am not selling CBD oil myself.  I just thought I would pass on this info, as I do to patients in need.  

Maybe CBD will benefit you.

There are listings for CBD oil on Mercado Libre.  If you know of other places to buy it (physical stores and the like), please let me know.  

NAMASTE ~Antonio

Two things:

The new site is fully up and running.  It looks much better than before, and everything works as it should.  Czech it out!  https://antonioprimavera.com/

Especially czech out the section on Transpersonal Psychology: https://antonioprimavera.com/transpersonal-psychology

and the section on Garden Sessions:  https://antonioprimavera.com/garden-sessions

It has been a hard row to plough, as I am no computer programmer.  And, yes, I built the website myself. 

SEO (Search Engine Recognition) is the most important thing; this is how people find the site (or not) on Google.  But it is the most difficult and confusing part.  Why can't I just make a list of tags/keywords that people are likely to use to find the site and be done with it?  Nope.  It is WAY more difficult than that.

Anyway, the site is climbing higher and higher in the Google rankings.  Now it shows up on the first or second search page, rather than not at all, and instead the searcher is offered an article on psychotherapy in Mexico written in 1992.  Yeah, that's what I was looking for when I typed in "English speaking psychotherapist in Mexico City."

The second thing is this Natural/Holistic type expo that's coming up in August.  It's free, so I'll probably go have a look.  Here's the info:

The link listed in the ad didn't work for me.  So, go here: http://www.expoherbonatura.com.mx/expo/pagina/pagina_inicio

Take Care, All!
SAT NAM ~Antonio

Hi Folks in Mexico City!

I have a new website. Here it is:  https://antonioprimavera.com/

I built this whole thing all by myself!  I am pretty happy about it, as I have absolutely no training, and it was fucking difficult!

The website people told me that my site builder and other programs were out-of-date and incompatible.  The computer world.  I think that's a Kraftwerk album title.

I guess my only real gripe is that I can't get the main image on the home page right.  I've spent at least eight hours trying to get it right.  I will just post the intended image here:

It's pretty cool.  It looks like an impressionist painting of me.  I wish you could see all of it on the site.  Oh, well...ni modo, as they say in Mexican.

NAMASTE ~Antonio
 

New Stuff!

Forever...

It has been FOREVER since I've posted anything here.  There are some new things going on that I thought might interest you.

Here are the links: http://www.antonioprimavera.com/Garden_Sessions.html

and http://www.antonioprimavera.com/Transpersonal_Psychology.html .

Czech it out! :)

The Drug Wars and their Impediments to a Good Life

In the US, the Dug War has been a failure for a very long time.  It is a newer failure here in Mexico. The death toll since the beginning of the Mexican Drug War has far surpassed the deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.

Many people in el DF have begun to grow their own marijuana, so as to not contribute to the bloodshed.  This is commendable.  As well, the government decriminalized possession of small quantities of all drugs in 2008.

In my practice, I sometimes suggest the use of "drugs" such as alcohol, marijuana, LSD, MDMA, and magic mushrooms, because I know that they can be beneficial to my patients.  Still, the laws and the stigma associated with "taking drugs" prevents some patients from receiving help with their situation. Many will jump to taking antidepressants, but will scoff at marijuana.

Thanks God, CBD oil is now legal in Mexico.

This is due, in large part, to the way of the West where some drugs are sanctioned and others demonized.  When considering whether a drug is accepted into the Western cannon, ask, "Who benefits?"  You will quickly come to the realization that Mammon is the god of greed and of the US.

Sadly, it has been this way from the inception of America.  The pharmaceutical companies are not looking out for the well-being of the patient, but at the profit to be made from said patients.  The difference between the pharmaceutical companies and the narcos is merely a legalistic distinction.  

I don't really want to get into politics, but many states in the US have now legalized or decriminalized marijuana for medicinal (and even recreational) uses.  Hopefully, Mexico will continue on this track.
It's really the only way out of the bloodshed inherent in such a profitable business.

In the meantime, I will make sure that my patients receive the treatment that they need and deserve.

SAT NAM ~Antonio

www.antonioprimavera.com
primavera@post.harvard.edu        

Blogger and the NWO

This site has to be the worst I have ever used.  Why do I have to search for an hour to find how to make a new post?  Probably, this is because I do not have fxxbook or an xPhone.  What is this world coming to?  

People Far Away

Since starting this blog, and this website: www.antonioprimavera.com, a number of people needing help have contacted me. When I have been able, I have referred them to a therapist in their area. But, I don't always have contacts in other areas. I was speaking with my supervisor about this, and she suggested that I treat these people on the phone or through SKYPE. "Some help is better than none," she said. And, thinking about this, I suppose she is right. 


I would like to know what others think of this. Supposedly, this is the future. This is even a topic at the coming Psychoanalytic Congress. However, I am still unsure about this method of conducting therapy. Please let me know what you think.


Take care,
Antonio

www.antonioprimavera.com
primavera@post.harvard.edu

This Heat

It is HOT out there! El DF is typically so moderate that many of us have been caught off-guard/ taken aback by this prolonged heat wave. Relatively speaking, it isn't all that hot. 85 (29) is certainly better than 105 (40). Still, many people are feeling rather miserable.

Well, I can do nothing about the heat. But, I am here to help if you have anything else on your mind. Send me a message.

www.antonioprimavera.com

primavera@post.harvard.edu

47th International Psychoanalytical Association Congress in Mexico City

"The Mexico Congress will be an international celebration of the 100th anniversary of the IPA, the culmination of the local and regional celebrations of 2010. The Congress will be an opportunity to commemorate one hundred years of achievements and to dedicate ourselves to the advancement of psychoanalysis for its next 100 years.” Professor Charles Hanly, IPA President.

Congress Site:
► http://www.12345678.co.uk/congress/

Ticket prices:
► http://www.12345678.co.uk/congress/?page_id=31

Online registration:
► http://www.12345678.co.uk/congress/?page_id=902

Follow this event in Facebook by clicking: <Im attending>

Siga el Congreso en ESPAÑOL:
► http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178739382165818


La Asociación Psicoanalítica Internacional (API) tendrá su 47 Congreso Internacional en el World Trade Center de la Ciudad de México. El Congreso coincide con la celebración del Centenario de la International Psychoanalytical Association.

Explorando Conceptos Clave: Sexualidad, Sueños y lo Inconsciente.

¿Cómo me mantengo informado de este evento? Símplemente dale click a <asistiré>, así de fácil.

Sitio Oficial del Congreso:
► http://www.12345678.co.uk/congress/?lang=es

Tarifas e inscripción online:
► http://www.12345678.co.uk/congress/?page_id=797&lang=es

Descargue el libro: "100 años de la IPA":
► http://spm.org.mx/index.php?mod=news_l&id=56

SÚMATE a este evento en FB y te mantendremos al tanto.

Afiches en distintos idiomas para promover el congreso:
► http://www.ipa.org.uk/Public/Page.php?ID=5797&language=spa

Expatriate Therapy/ Counseling

I realize that relocating to and living in a foreign country can be a challenge. I know, because I have done it myself a couple of times. Rest assured that there are answers and there is assistance. I am here for you, and I am listening. Please let me know your concerns, your difficulties, your hopes and your dreams. I am just a phone call or e-mail away. I also have evening hours for those who need.

My e-mail: primavera@post.harvard.edu

My website: www.antonioprimavera.com

New Hours

Since launching this blog and website, I have gotten many responses from working people who need later hours than are typically offered in this field. So, I've taken this into consideration, and I will now be offering later hours to better serve those who need psychological counseling in either Spanish or English. With these new hours, I will hopefully be able to provide therapy to more English-speaking expatriates in Mexico, as well as English or Spanish-speaking Mexicans.

If anyone would like to comment or give advice, I am open and listening. Thanks!

Please visit my site:  http://www.antonioprimavera.com/
or e-mail me: primavera@post.harvard.edu

New Website!

Hello Everyone! The new website for the practice of psychotherapy has been launched. Here is the link to the website, which has more info: www.antonioprimavera.com