“The most common form of despair is not being who you are.”
- Søren Kierkegaard
Rick Alexander is an author, speaker, psychedelic practitioner, and coach. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Pacifica Graduate Institute where he studies comparative mythology and depth psychology, following the path of scholars like Joseph Campbell and C.G. Jung. His written material, lectures, and personal client work draw heavily from contemplative spiritual traditions of the East and West and are centered in Depth and Archetypal psychology.
He speaks and writes predominantly on psychological wellness, the Hero's Journey, and the quest to find meaning in life. Recently, he's taught workshops and lectured for organizations around the world including the United States Air Force, and Bell Canada, as well as for specialized retreats, private events, and academic conferences.
You can find his ideas in his latest book, Ambitious Heroes and Heartache, or look around this website for lectures, teachings, upcoming events, or to make speaking inquiries.
One-on-One Coaching
For more information on my coaching methodology or to apply for one-on-one coaching, use the link below.
While I work with a wide variety of clients, these are some of the areas that my work specifically focuses on:
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Plant medicine integration (for the one interested in or already using psychedelics and other plant medicines. I use a depth and archetypal psychological approach to this work which tends to offer a psychological framework expansive enough to address the psychedelic experience and its integration)
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General self-inquiry or spiritual direction (For the one who knows there’s more to life but not where to look to find it)
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Religious trauma (Note: This does not mean solely physical or acute trauma, often there is a certain traumatic friction that develops when the spirituality we’re given as children simply isn’t wide enough to encompass the evolving psyche)
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Yoga Psychology (For the person who pursues Eastern paths and wants the depth psychological and self-reflection component to the path)
Post-Traumatic Growth Work
Over the past few years, I have been the writer for a documentary called The Dark Night of Our Soul; a feature film that explores the concept of Post-Traumatic Growth. While most of us are familiar with the PTSD conversation that populates mass media, veteran and first responder communities, and the like; The Dark Night is an exploration into the lesser-known side of trauma.
In essence, PTG explores how traumatic and fracturing experiences can become the catalyst to living in new and perhaps deeper and more connected ways. In addition to my writing and client work in the realm of PTG, I also offer talks on the subject to organizations. If handled incorrectly, the idea of PTG can lead to bypassing and a denial of very true and present pain; if done with care and with an appreciation for nuance it can reframe the conversation about trauma in a way that leads a person to a much deeper understanding about who they are and what’s important to them. Check out the links to the right to engage with the documentary or to open up a dialogue about having me speak on the topic with your group or organization.
Latest Book:
Ambitious Heroes and Heartache
As children, our ideas about life are formed by stories of kings that step into their glory, underdogs that win against the odds, and improbable romances that always seem to find their way back to a happy ending. As adults, most of us have found reality to be far less charming. We have to exist here in the real world where our results often fall short of our expectations, emotions create a mess of our minds and most of the villains that we face exist inside of us. This book is about the gap that exists between who we thought we’d be and who we turn out to be, and how the magic of human life is found when we begin to wrestle with the messy middle created by those two realities.
Speaking and Teaching Inquiries
Over the past few years, I have spoken at conferences, to military and para-military organizations, and spiritual groups, as well as at corporate and private events. Unlike much of the speaking industry, I don't have one talk that I stick to and tend to give everywhere I go. Instead, I draw from my core research but create every talk or teaching new based on whom I am working with and what their interests/needs are. I give talks on psychological hygiene / mental wellness, Post-Traumatic Growth, the quest to find meaning in life, psychedelic integration, as well as my books, essays, and other writing. To inquire, use the link below:
Rebirth Lecture Series
This six-part lecture series is a reflection on the nature of transformational work both as a client and as a practitioner. The aim of this series is not to produce an all-encompassing philosophy on the nature of personal transformation but rather to ask questions and provoke deeper thought about what the process of transformation entails.
This product is great for people who are:
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Guides and Healers
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Life coaches and others who aid people in the process of transformation
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Those who are engaged in their own transformational and growth work
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Those with an interest in becoming a coach or guide in the future
These lectures look at transformation through depth psychology, personality research, mythic traditions, and modern approaches to spirituality.
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