The Spiky Clam: A Metaphor for Healing
Years ago, in my psychedelic-assisted therapy training, I learned a metaphor that has shaped my understanding of healing ever since. It comes from the “Accept, Connect, Embody” model for psilocybin assisted therapy.
In psychedelic therapy, difficult emotions often come up. Our instinct is to resist, to stay on the surface—but true healing requires us to dive. We must descend into the murky depths—the places that feel scary and unknown. There, we will find our treasure. But the treasure isn’t in a gleaming, golden chest where you'd expect it to be. It’s hidden inside what we least want to touch—a spiky clam.
Facing the Clam: Moving Toward What We Fear
When we encounter the spiky clam, we may want to swim for the surface, away from the painful thing. Yet if we lean in and embrace it, we realize it won’t hurt us. Instead, it opens to reveal its treasure: a beautiful pearl.
This metaphor resonates beyond psychedelic therapy—it reflects healing in all its forms. Whether through Depth Hypnosis, Psychotherapy, Spiritual Counseling, Shamanic Counseling, Ketamine Assisted Therapy, Internal Family Systems, or Functional Nutrition, the same principles remain: the same principle remains: what we avoid often holds the key to our transformation. The pearl inside the clam represents insight, trauma resolution, symptom relief, meaning, and profound life lessons.
Healing in Practice: Turning Toward Discomfort
How exactly does this apply to the healing process? In trauma-focused work, once you have the right support, healing begins not by repressing, distracting, or sugarcoating—but by moving toward what hurts. This could mean confronting:
painful emotions
uncomfortable body sensations
limiting beliefs
unhelpful relational patterns
When you can bring the parts of you that know how to heal (I teach you how to access them in Depth Hypnosis, Spiritual Counseling, Shamanic Counseling, and Internal Family Systems) to the parts of you that hurt, magic happens. What once seemed unbearable often isn’t. And within it, you may find pearls of wisdom, strength, and transformation. You may find perception-altering insights, life-changing wisdom, buried gifts and strengths, and spiritual fulfillment on the other side.
Discomfort is a Guide, Not a Stop Sign
This principle applies not just to emotional healing but also to behavior change. Often, what we resist most is what transforms us. This includes preparing nutrient-dense foods, approaching a stranger for connection even if it feels awkward, developing a meditation practice, or braving the gym for the first time in years. When a change aligns with your highest good, discomfort isn’t a sign to stop—it’s a sign you’re growing.
What’s Your Spiky Clam?
The truth is, the spiky clams in our lives never go away if we try to avoid them, distract from them, pretend they are not there, or tell ourselves we have moved past them without first examining them. They simply stack up, drain your energy, and cause tension.
Ask yourself:
What’s the spiky clam in your life?
What is avoiding it costing you?
What pearl might be waiting on the other side?
These questions might hold the key to the healing you’ve been seeking.
If you're ready to face your spiky clam and claim your pearl, I’d love to support you. Reach out for a consultation today.
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