Mary Alice Long PhD

Mary Alice Long Quick Facts

Main Areas: The Art of Playing in the Everyday & Depth Psychology
Career Focus: The Art of Playing in the Everyday
Affiliation: Pacifica Graduate Institute, Seattle Jung Society, US Play Coalition, Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts

My own playful journey led to an inner call to help others to find their unique playful path. When I say call I mean that somewhat literally, I received a phone call in a nightly dream in 1989 requesting me to re-member my playful Self.  The weekend of that call I was attending a weekend dream retreat and was led synchronistically to begin Jungian analysis.

Two years before I gave birth to a son whom I relinguished to his adopting mother and his father. I carried my son as part of a surrogate mother agreement. My decision to be a surrogate for my psychotheapist and her husband and give away so much of myself led me to search deep within and to reclaim my playful Self. My surrogacy is a core story life experience and one that I learned a great deal from and am passing on now through my play-based, depth-oriented work.

In 1991, I began a clinical psychology program at Pacifica Graduate Institute with an emphasis in depth psychology. I continued my personal analysis while studying, singing, writing, and exploring nature's wonders in Santa Barbara.  While at Pacifica I was visited by another series of dreams which culminated in a dream filled with acrobats, jugglers, clowns, and dancers. The re-claiming of my playful nature through dance, storytelling, singing and natural metaphors helped me to see ways to blend my depth work with my play. I found that there is no division but instead a beautiful complement between inner life and playful living.

I invite you to play with and honor your dreams. C.G. Jung rediscovered his play nature in the last third of his life and built his tower, his sacred, creative space. As a play-based, depth-oriented consultant, writer, and speaker-performer I support others in their individuation process.

We all are blessed with an abundance of playful riches. I am grateful to all who have mentored and supported me along my path. I am finding new gifts and playful connections every day that add to my enjoyment of life and curious nature.  I am creating playful services, writing, and performing my life with the help both inner and outer guidance.  I currently live in the Northwest enjoying both water and mountains, my close circle of loved ones and friends, and of course all those that I connect with through my playful work.

After three decades of play in the arts, birth & parent education, health education, nursing, social work, and psychology I offer today an open heart, intellectual body, playful experience, tears and laughter, and a sense of wonder.

You can find information about working with me to learn the practice of 'The Art of Playing in the Everyday' at https://linktr.ee/playequalspeace

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