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Bridging Homer’s The Odyssey with Therapy

Tatiana Zarmati

Track D

CP 534 Introduction to the Theories of the Depth Tradition

Ifat Peled, PhD

Oct 30, 2021

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Bridging Homer’s The Odyssey with Therapy

In many of our world’s stories, a universal theme often emerges. Joseph Campbell

labeled this phenomenon the Hero's Journey in his theory of the monomyth, which states that

myths from around the globe share a common fundamental structure (Chase, 2016). This

ubiquitous nature is found in the stages of Ulyssess's quest in Homer’s The Odyssey (Homer,

2011). The framework follows the path of an individual who sets off on a journey, faces a

challenge and overcomes some great obstacle, and returns home with new knowledge to impart

on their community (Trout & Basham, 2021). The fact that this narrative framework can relate to

anyone's life lends it implications to the world of psychology, in which therapists have adopted it

into various therapeutic techniques. Just as Telemachus is guided by Minerva in the excerpt

Book I The Gods In Council— Minerva’s Visit to Ithaca from Homer’s The Odyssey, a therapist

can guide their client through the stages of their life by using themes from the Hero’s Journey

(Homer, 2011).

The Hero’s Journey model in therapy asks the client to embark upon the role of the hero

and choose a desired goal to journey towards (Landy, 2012). Robert Landy, a drama therapist

who works with the Hero’s Journey model in his practice says, “The hero is the client in

treatment who commits herself to a therapeutic journey toward some goal, an often unknown

destination” (Landy, 2012). The Role Method is often used in tandem with the Hero’s Journey

model where the client explores the main roles within the Hero’s Journey: hero, destination,

obstacle and guide (Johnson & Emunah, 2021).

As the client works with the therapist to plan the necessary steps to reach their desired

destination, many obstacles can arise, as is mirrored in the stage of the Hero’s Journey where the
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hero must face their challenge (Landy, 2012). At this point in the process, the hero, or client, can

identify the need for a spiritual guide that would help them work through their issues (Trout &

Basham, 2021). Using Book I The Gods In Council— Minerva’s Visit to Ithaca, the client can

explore the theme of guide in therapy.

In Book I The Gods In Council— Minerva’s Visit to Ithaca, we reach the point in

Homer’s The Odyssey when Telemachus feels over-run by his mother’s suitors who have taken

over his home since his father went missing (Homer, 2011). The goddess Minerva goes to Ithaca

with the intention to guide and embolden Telemachus to take action on the issues presenting in

his life (Homer, 2011). Essentially, she gives Telemachus a solid plan with steps to take on the

issues facing him. She also reminds Telemachus of his strength by saying, “You are a fine, smart

looking fellow; show your mettle, then, and make yourself a name in story” (Homer, 2011). This

point in the story can represent the therapist as Minerva coming to the aid of the client as

Telemachus, to help the client focus upon a therapeutic goal and take the necessary steps to

achieve it. It can also represent the client exploring the role of their own inner and outer guidance

that will assist them in their journey.

One way a client can delve into the theme of guide while using the excerpt of Minerva’s

Visit to Ithaca can be in tandem with the Role Method. The client would act out the role of

Minerva, or their own spiritual guide, and explore what they would say to themselves as their

own mentor. In this regard, the client can start to internalize the role of the spiritual guide and

begin to nurture this inner relationship (Johnson & Emunah, 2021). In this sense they can start to

mentor themselves through personal obstacles with this new internal helper that they discovered

through the process of role work (Landy, 2012). The guide that was needed in the client’s

internal world to help them get to the next phase of the journey can start to take shape (Landy,
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2012). This type of therapy can give the client a profound sense of support that is found

intrinsically, reminding the client that guidance can be found within themselves (Trout &

Basham, 2021).

According to Trout, using literature in a therapy session can open a space for the client to

share more freely about their own experiences—clients who are unable to find the words to

describe their thoughts and feelings can communicate by drawing upon themes in a literary piece

(Trout & Basham, 2021). In this sense, reading Book I The Gods In Council— Minerva’s Visit to

Ithaca during a session can be used to bring up themes that are resonant with a client's life. The

client can identify aspects of the excerpt that mirror their own challenges or people in their lives.

Using this to instigate topics of conversation with a therapist could be beneficial, especially

surrounding the theme of identifying an inner and outer guide. Using this literature which holds

the template of the Hero’s Journey within it can help a client discuss themes that are universal to

human nature.

The use of Book I The Gods In Council— Minerva’s Visit to Ithica and The Hero’s

Journey model in therapy can provide clarity and focus to a client's life path. Embodying the role

of hero and guide can help a client overcome their obstacles and find a new relationship to their

inner mentor. By using this process, a client can connect with their needs and learn to rely on

inner and outer guidance. The impactful legacy of The Odyssey leaves us with a framework on

which to base a profound therapeutic process. The story of Minerva and Telemachus provides us

with the tools needed to move through the obstacles in our lives and find the guidance that is

essential for getting to the next phase of our journey.

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References

Chase,T. (2016, March 3). Joseph Campbell & The Hero’s Journey. Antioch

SB. https://odyssey.antiochsb.edu/literary/joseph-campbell-the-heros-journey/

Homer (2011). The odyssey. (S. Butler, Trans.). (p. 13-26) CreateSpace Independent

Publishing Platform; Reprint edition. (8th Century BC)

Johnson, D. R., & Emunah, R. (2021). Current approaches in drama therapy. Charles C Thomas,

Publisher, Ltd.

Landy, R. J. (2012 May 23). A Theatre for Change: Drama Therapy Part 2. Psychology

Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/couch-and-stage/201205/theatre-

change-drama-therapy-part-2

Trout, T., Basham, C. (2021 March 29). Drama Therapy. [PowerPoint Slides]. Expressive

Arts Therapy Training, Online. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dDbRsBCfx7

j1xphOiaJGj3D18on4XF0zdJFglkjlkjlKcTdny4/edit#slide=id.gbf0e99b0d9_0_0
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