The symbolism of the crow

You might be thinking, “What a strange name for a clinical practice!” If so, I wouldn’t blame you, especially if you’ve been on the wrong side of a crow! Please allow me to answer the obvious question, then: what’s so special about crows?

Unquestionably, crows are temperamental, territorial, and even hold lasting grudges that seem absurd from our point of view. Still, despite these traits, crows have a long and complex history with humanity and a positive reputation in some cultures. As someone who loves paradoxes, the paradox of the crow has particularly captivated me. It’s also one that’s tied to a very personal experience. 

One day, during nesting season, when crow mothers are naturally protective of their young, a crow dive-bombed me with more-than-typical aggression, and it had a peculiar, unanticipated impact. Instead of reacting with the same annoyance I had felt all the previous times I had been dive-bombed, I stopped to think, “Oh my gosh! I was feeling and moving aggressively! It reacted to me.” In other words, I perceived the crow’s behaviour as an invitation to reflect on how I interact with the world.

In that way, I see crows as mirrors of the struggles clients bring to counselling: they reflect the unresolved pieces of our lives. What does our experience tell us about what some therapists call our “unfinished business,” or recurring emotional and thought patterns? Whatever the answer is, it’s the key to healing. So, with the respect I hold for crows, they’re a fitting inspiration for my counselling practice.

As a symbol, the crow’s direction may be uncomfortable and even painful, but, as they say about the truth, I’ve found it equally liberating. All we need is curiosity, bravery, and the intention of accepting whatever lessons we discover in the process. You could say that therapy is the process of getting to know ourselves more deeply than we ever have- even (or even, especially!) the dark corners of our psyches. My job is to facilitate that process in the safest, most comfortable, most open and supportive way possible.

If you have any questions about what I’ve written here, please get in touch with the contact information in my profile, or book a consultation through the website link in my bio. I’d be delighted to hear from you and answer any questions you have! Until then, take care, and thank you for reading.