Meaning behind the name
Tipi’s represent many things: a home, protection from the elements, community, safety, a sacred and spiritual space and connection. The structure itself was held very sacred due to their spiritual ties and tribes would work together to build them.
TP Psychotherapy
I feel a strong connection to Tipi’s and their formation and symbolisation due to core values and elements of my practice aligning with them. The Tipi floor is in the shape of a circle, which represents connection, a journey, fluidity and growth.The poles to join the top and bottom of the Tipi are supportive and an integral part of the structure, as the actualising tendency is to an organism. They are a safe space where relationships and togetherness can flourish, privacy and confidentiality are paramount along with creating shelter from external factors that have the ability to cause damage.
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Tipi’s have also inspired psychologists such as Maslow when developing his Hierarchy of needs teachings which is in keeping with the humanistic nature of PCEP Psychotherapy and the notion of personal growth and motivation needs. In addition, the holistic nature of Tipi’s with the floor (represents the earth), the cloth (represents the sky) and the poles which extend and link to the wider experience along with the history of them being used as a space where psychology was taught and counsell held is a beautiful link between past, present, different cultures, philosophy and values.
