No content notes, but as always there may be spoilers for those new to the legendarium
In this episode I explore the intersection of fear, horror, and Tolkien's work, particularly focusing on how fear serves a purpose in human experience. I discuss the psychological aspects of fear, the role of storytelling in conveying wisdom, and the enjoyment of horror through safe frames. The episode concludes with a reading from 'Fog on the Barrow Downs' that exemplifies Tolkien's horror elements.
contact me on northumberlandcounselling@gmail.com
Content notes for discussion of different forms of abuse and its impact throughtout
In this thought-provoking episode, psychotherapist Karen Pollock delves into the complex world of Tolkien's orcs, exploring themes of trauma, redemption, and the human condition. Drawing from their recent presentation at Euromoot, Karen examines the intergenerational trauma and epigenetics that could explain the behavior of orcs, challenging the traditional narrative of them as mere villains. Join us as we explore whether therapy could offer a path to healing for these misunderstood creatures and what this means for our understanding of humanity. #Tolkien #TraumaTherapy #FantasyInsights
contact me on Northumberlandcounselling@gmail.com
Further Reading suggestions
https://existentialcomics.com/comic/175 (The council of Elrond)
Tally Jr., Robert T. The Mismeasure of Orcs: A Critical Reassessment of Tolkien's Demonized Creatures. McFarland & Co Inc, 2025.
Tolkiens squint eyed orc men Roger Echo-hart
Garth, John. Tolkien and the Great War: The Threshold of Middle-earth. Houghton Mifflin, 2003
Shippey, T. A. (2001). J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the century. Harper Collins
Welcome back after the summer break, with a celebration of autumn, and the publication of The Hobbit, with a reading from the end of the book
Let us all embrace our true selves as wonderfully as Bilbo does! Happy Hobbit Day!
Chapters
00:00 Welcome Back and Autumn Reflections
03:02 Celebrating The Hobbit and Its Legacy
05:49 Bilbo's Journey and Happy Endings
https://signumuniversity.org/event/euromoot2025/
Not an unexpected party, but an unexpected podcast episode inspired by the wonderful Mythopoeic Society Online Midsummer Seminars and the Queer Lodgings crew. An exploration of how an affirmative Gender, Sex and Relationship diverse specialist therapist (i.e. me) might work with Eowyn from Lord of the Rings, shield maiden, gender warrior and all round amazing slayer of the witchking.
Normal podcast service will be resumed in September with season two, and dives into the Silmarillion
Content notes for mention of conversion therapy, suicidal ideation and a brief mention of sexual violence.
https://www.mythsoc.org/https://www.mythsoc.org/
https://signumuniversity.org/event/euromoot2025/https://signumuniversity.org/event/euromoot2025/
In this episode, Karen focuses on the character of Arwen exploring themes of identity. The discussion highlights the significance of the appendices, the complexities of Arwen's character, and the psychological aspects of her journey, particularly through the lens of psychosocial development. Karen emphasizes the importance of agency and choice in Arwen's life, moving beyond traditional narratives of female characters in literature and life
Arwen's story is short, so its does confound Karen that people seem to want to diminish it even more, here lets give Arwen, and her choices, the space they deserve.
Content Notes for parental abuse and rejection (in brief) and a short story from the Christian Religion.
More on the psychosocial stages of development
You can follow Karen on Bluesky @karenpollock.bsky.social where they would love to hear you thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for topics to cover.
Music byTrygve Larsen fromPixabay
In this episode, Karen delves into the intersection of mental health and J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium, focusing on the tragic character of Turin Turambar. Through a psychotherapeutic lens, they explore themes of trauma and the impact of otherness, drawing parallels between Turin's experiences and real-world pathologisation of difference ways of being.
Content notes for discussing of life of Turin which includes suicide
You can follow Karen on Bluesky @karenpollock.bsky.social where they would love to hear you thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for topics to cover.
Music byTrygve Larsen fromPixabay
Summary
In this episode, Karen reflects the importance of self-care, and how it relates to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Looking at the need to listen to our own needs and the dangers of commodifying self-care.
Through the lens of Tolkien's characters and settings, we can explore the concept of self-care as a personal and often political act, encouraging listeners to prioritize their well-being without judgment.
Books Mentioned (that arent Tolkien)
Keywords
self-care, mental health, Tolkien, mindfulness, personal needs, emotional well-being, podcast, therapy, community, personal growth
In this episode, Karen explores the intersection of mental health and Tolkien's works, particularly focusing on trauma and coercive control as depicted in the story of Arendhel and Eol, and their son, Maeglin. Understanding the origins of behaviour is as old as the human urge to tell stories, and lies behind our desire to explain how harm is caused. It can also be a way to prevent harm being enacted down the generations.
Content note for coercive control and family violence.
Keywords
Tolkien, mental health, trauma, coercive control, Gondolin, Maeglin, domestic abuse, storytelling, psychology
Real World fun events mentioned!
https://signumuniversity.org/event/willowmoot2025/
https://blackberry.signumuniversity.org/space/modules/0009/
In this episode of Go Not To The Elves for Counsel, Karen delves into the themes of trauma and mental health through Frodo's experiences. They discuss the concepts of PTSD, shellshock and moral injury, and the journey of healing, emphasizing the importance of understanding these experiences in both literature and real life. The conversation highlights the complexities of trauma responses and the potential for recovery, while also celebrating the beauty and hope found in Tolkien's narratives.
You can follow Karen on Bluesky @karenpollock.bsky.social where they would love to hear you thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for topics to cover.
Music byTrygve Larsen fromPixabay
https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/beyond-shellshock/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/45659808_Shell_Shock_Trauma_and_the_First_World_War_The_Making_of_a_Diagnosis_and_Its_Histories
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/cooccurring/moral_injury.asp
In this special episode for Tolkien Reading Day, Karen explores the theme of fellowship through a reading from the Minas Tirith chapter of The Return of the King.
Happy Gondorian New Year to us all!
You can connect with Karen @karenpollock.bsky.social
Information on Minority Stress
https://dictionary.apa.org/minority-stress
Original Paper
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2012-32754-018
In conversation, Karen Pollock and Gareth Davies explore the intersection of Tolkien's works on leadership, authenticity, and the narratives that shape our understanding of ourselves and others.
They delve into the complexities of characters like Boromir and Pippin, discussing how their experiences reflect broader themes of leadership, masculinity and personal growth. The discussion emphasizes the importance of authenticity in leadership and the role of ordinary individuals in shaping history, drawing parallels between Tolkien's narratives and contemporary coaching practices.
You can find Karen @karenpollock.bsky.social and
Gareth @coachingintheround.co.uk or via their website
https://coachingintheround.co.uk/
Some of the books Gareth mentions in this episode are;
Fantasy, the Bomb and the Greening of Britain
Romantic Protest, 1945-1980
Meredith Veldman
Leadership in Middle-Earth: Theories and Applications for Organizations - - Exploring Effective Leadership Practices Through Popular Culture by Michael J. Urick
https://dc.swosu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3106&context=mythlore
The Consulting Process as Drama: Learning from King Lear Paperback – 2 Dec. 2003by Erik De Haan (Author)- a good example of the positive use of literature to inform management and leadership
In this episode, Karen explores the intersection of Middle-earth and psychotherapy, focusing on the character of Samwise Gamgee as a representation of self-actualization, and even attempts to sing! No one was turned to stone in the making of this episode.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Joy of Middle-earth
06:01 Exploring the Self-Actualizing Tendency
21:22 Samwise Gamgee: A Model of Self-Actualization
32:12 Conclusion: Embracing One's True Self
You can follow Karen on Bluesky @karenpollock.bsky.social where they would love to hear you thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for topics to cover.
Music byTrygve Larsen fromPixabay
In this episode Karen takes a wander around assumptions and projections people may make when they hear you are a Tolkien fan, and what the phrase "man of his time" implies.
The reading is from lost tales, volume 1, the cottage of lost play
You can follow karen on bluesky - @karenpollock.bskysocial or email with any thoughts or suggestions at northumberlandcounselling@gmail.com
It is all very well to say Go Not to the Elves for Counsel, but then who would, and would not make a good therapist from the legendarium?
This week Karen explores who they think they want to sit in a therapy room opposite, or even to wander through the woods alongside (outdoor therapy for the win!) Agree, or disagree, who do you think would make Middle Earths top therapist lists?
You can follow Karen on Bluesky @karenpollock.bsky.social where they would love to hear you thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for topics to cover.
Music byTrygve Larsen fromPixabay
This week Karen explores the instigators of so many memes, fan favourite, and reciever of a stern telling of from Sam, Faramir.
In both book, and the films, the troubled relationship between Dethenor and Faramir is powerful, so lets explore what happens when a child grows up seeing their parents love withheld, and given elsewhere.
Karen properly introduces themself, and explores the house of Tom Bombadil, via roman ruins, the insights, and flaws of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and looks at why anxious brains need to feel cool breezes and flagstones beneath their feet.
Also, and not for the first time, our watchword should be - Be more Sam
A quick introduction to what you can expect from GnttFC! #Tolkien #MentalHealth #Therapy
Let's start with the name of the podcast, and why elves, like therapists are so wary of giving advice. A shorter episode to start with but one where Karen explains where the name GnttEC came from, and divulges the fan fic they would love to see!
Bonus shaun of the dead reference!
