Discover the power of psychosynthesis and Soul Psychology Tarot as Sam Pope, a psychologist and self-alignment life coach, shares details about the way in which she guides individuals towards self-discovery, personal growth, and a more fulfilling life. Learn about her unique approach and how she uses Tarot cards in the newest edition of MysticMag interviews.
Who is Sam Pope? Can you tell us a bit about your professional background?
I am Sam Pope, a psychologist (M.A.) and self-alignment life coach (Dip. Coach) specialising in psychosynthesis psychology, also known as ‘the psychology of the soul.’ Additionally, I am a meditation teacher and advanced tarot practitioner, having acquired these qualifications in 2017. Prior to 2017, I co-founded a successful family business, a removals and storage company based in Hampstead, London. Over a span of 15 years, the business thrived and became one of the leading companies in the UK.
Despite my professional success, I experienced a personal sense of being lost and trapped on the wrong path. I felt discontented and uncertain about how to initiate the desired change. In search of self-discovery and alignment, I embarked on a journey to transform my life.
Today, I proudly identify myself as a psychologist and self-alignment coach who employs the tarot as a valuable tool for self-exploration. My aim is to assist individuals seeking to navigate transitions and make meaningful shifts in their lives. By harnessing the power of the tarot, we uncover profound insights and establish a connection with their authentic calling.
What is psychosynthesis?
Psychosynthesis is a psychology that fosters a sense of self-alignment through personal experience. It was developed in the previous century by Roberto Assagioli, an Italian psychiatrist, and psychologist who was a contemporary of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. While he was influenced by the emerging psychoanalytic theory, Assagioli went beyond it, emphasising the need for synthesis of the soul in our lives.
Psychosynthesis recognises that it’s not enough to solely analyse our internal psyche and past experiences. Assagioli believed in integrating the soul into our existence. Hence, the term “psyche-synthesis” emphasises the synthesis of different aspects of ourselves beyond our childhood survival strategies and personal narratives. This includes tapping into our soul’s calling and striving to become the best version of ourselves.
By synthesising these various elements into our personal story, we can achieve a greater sense of self-alignment, fulfillment, and connection with ourselves. This, in turn, enhances our relationships and overall satisfaction in life. Psychosynthesis provides a framework to explore and integrate these deeper aspects of ourselves, enabling personal growth and transformation. This is the journey that I have personally embarked on myself and which I now support in others.
What is your coaching based on and what can people hope to achieve with your guidance?
My coaching is firmly grounded in psychosynthesis psychology, providing a solid foundation for guiding individuals. Through my coaching process, I create a supportive space where clients can authentically explore and discover themselves. When individuals feel confused, lost, or stuck, I help them identify which part of themselves might be holding them back.
According to psychosynthesis, we have multiple parts or aspects of ourselves that developed as survival mechanisms during our formative years. These parts may manifest as an inner critic, a judgmental voice towards others, or a perfectionistic tendency. While these characteristics initially served a purpose, they can hinder our growth and well-being in adulthood.
During coaching sessions, we collaboratively uncover these aspects and create space to observe them with compassion and understanding. By acknowledging and accepting their presence, we can develop greater awareness around these parts of ourselves that require nurturing. Through this process, we create a safe and supportive environment for these parts to be noticed, held, and encouraged to explore new ways of being.
This is crucial because our outdated survival strategies from the past can keep us trapped in patterns that no longer serve us. In coaching, together with the client, we identify these survival strategies and work towards creating space around them. One unique aspect of my approach is incorporating the use of Tarot to map the psychological landscape, revealing what may be holding someone back and intuitively guiding them towards their desired direction.
With my guidance, individuals can expect to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, create space from fear and unhelpful reactions, and cultivate greater self-compassion. Through this transformative process, clients can break free from old patterns, align with their authentic desires, and move towards a more fulfilling and empowered life.
How is Soul Psychology Tarot different from other forms of Tarot and what information can you get through Soul Psychology Tarot readings?
Soul Psychology Tarot sets itself apart from other forms of Tarot by focusing on psychological mapping and inner exploration. Unlike traditional psychic readings, I don’t claim to have psychic abilities. Instead, I approach Tarot from a psychological perspective, integrating the principles of psychosynthesis and the concept of the soul’s calling.
Through Soul Psychology Tarot readings, clients can delve into their inner healing journey and actively work towards a life of connection and fulfillment. The purpose is not to make predictions about the future but rather to engage in meaningful conversations about the present moment.
The Tarot acts as a guiding tool, initiating the dialogue, but it’s our intuitive collaboration that leads to the client’s personal interpretation and meaning.
In this way, Soul Psychology Tarot is not predictive in the traditional sense, but it provides rich and informative insights. It helps clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves, explore their current experiences, and uncover hidden aspects of their psyche. The focus is on self-reflection, personal growth, and making empowered choices aligned with their authentic path.
Soul Psychology Tarot is ideal for individuals who are interested in actively participating in their own healing journey, seeking self-awareness, and desiring to manifest a life that is truly fulfilling and connected.
You organize groups and events. What are those like?
The groups and events I organise provide a space for self-discovery and personal growth. If you’re actively seeking a more harmonious and fulfilling life, it all starts with knowing yourself. Without self-awareness, it’s easy to feel lost. Therefore, the journey towards a more aligned and fulfilling life begins with self-discovery.
During these gatherings, I facilitate various activities such as meditations and guided visualisations. Additionally, I’m excited to announce that I will soon be launching an online monthly gathering where individuals can come together for self-discovery, with a focus on “soul calling” and “self-realisation”. In this space, we explore personal growth, manifestation, healing, and fulfillment. We will engage in card readings, meditations, and encourage participants to share their creative endeavours, experiences of trying things differently, areas of feeling stuck, and more. The aim is to support each other in the journey of self-discovery and self-compassion, ultimately moving towards self-alignment and fulfillment.
My groups and events attract a diverse range of individuals, including coaches, healers, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and those in midlife. I also welcome anyone going through a transition or individuals who aspire to hold healing spaces for others. It’s important to note that in order to create a healing space for others, we must first hold that space for ourselves. So, these gatherings are designed to support individuals in their personal healing and growth, enabling them to better support others on their own journeys.
What’s your favorite part of your profession?
My favourite aspect of my profession is witnessing the transformative shifts in my clients. The work I do involves creating a space of self-acceptance and exploration, and the feedback I receive is truly remarkable. One of the most recent testimonials that touched me deeply was when a client shared, “I have achieved more in six sessions with you than I did in two years of therapy.” This is because my approach doesn’t dwell on overanalysing the past. Instead, we remain fully present in the current moment.
By cultivating a deep presence and awareness of what is unfolding in the here and now, we develop a profound experiential understanding. It is through this embodied experience that true self-discovery takes place. It goes beyond mere intellectual analysis and resides within the sensations and wisdom of the body. Working in the present moment, honouring the present experience, is something that truly excites and fulfills me in my practice.
Seeing my clients undergo remarkable shifts and witnessing their growth, self-awareness, and alignment with their true selves is the most rewarding part of my work. It is a privilege to be a part of their transformative journey, and it continuously fuels my passion and love for what I do.
To learn more about Sam and her work, you can visit her website at sampope.co.uk
