Dr. James Liter, Ph.D.
James has been a practicing ecotherapist, in many different forms, for 25 years. Rooted in Jungian psychology, his practice is centered around facilitating nature-based archetypal experiences and integration. Working ecopsychologically with the unconscious, the archetypes, complexes, and projections, James has helped many people around the world improve their relationship to the natural world and, through that, their overall wellness.
After residing for several years in Europe, James returned to the U.S. in 2011. Along with his wife and three very lively border collies, he now lives and works on a small lavender farm in Michigan. Even after 13 years back in the country of his birth, he unconsciously speaks German sometimes (and asks for forgiveness in advance). He also misses good coffee and bread but makes do as he finally feels settled in a Place.
EDUCATION
- Pacifica Graduate Institute: Doctor of Philosophy, Depth Psychology with a specialization in Jungian and Archetypal Studies
- PGI Certificate in Ecopsychology
- Pacifica Graduate Institute: Master of Arts in Depth Psychology
- Grand Valley State University: Bachelor of Arts with dual major in Philosophy and Liberal Studies
SPECIALIZATIONS
- Experiential Ecotherapy and Jungian Coaching
- Ecopsychological and Jungian Training
- Nature Based Archetypal Facilitation
Focused through his ecopsychological certification and personal lived experience, James’ practice is rooted in extensive Jungian psychological training (the archetypes, collective unconscious, complexes and projections, individuation, dream work, active imagination, personality type, synchronicity, and archetypal cosmology, to name a few). His doctoral research identified and named two distinct approaches – the terracentric and the geocosmological – to the human relationship to habitat. By providing insight into the archetypal patterning of these approaches, integrative structures for depth ecotherapy were established to support fuller and healthier ways of being with the Earth.