Go Not to The Elves for Counsel

In a special Pride Month Episode I explore what queer readings, queer coding, and explicity queer characters mean in subcreation, and ask myself - what would a Shire Pride look like? The cannonical answer is - there would be a drag queen story time!

In this episode I explore how we anxiety and fear can make us feel we have to erradicate all risk, and the life limiting, and joy limiting implications of that. Oh and I tell the Valar they need therapy - badly! Willow Moot link https://blackberry.signumuniversity.org/events/willowmoot2026/ The Big Read - https://www.tolkiensociety.org/members/big-read/ Follow me on Threads - @counsellingkaren Blu...

Exploring Myth, Parenthood, and Growth through Tolkien's Legendarium In this episode, psychotherapist and Tolkien enthusiast Karen Pollock dives into the profound themes of myth, parenting, and personal growth as reflected in Tolkien's works, particularly focusing on the story of Aule, Yvanna, and the dwarves. Perfect for lovers of literature, psychology, and Middle-earth, this episode rev...

This week we are exploring how Tolkien’s mythic universe and psychoanalytic concepts illuminate the complex emotions of shame and anger, offering insights for healing and self-understanding. I look at Melkor's response to Illuvatar telling him, your improv Jazz Solo was still my music brought out both shame and defensive anger. Content note for shame being weaponised, internalised shame and to...

This week in the first of the Silm Season Episodes I explore the fascinating interplay between Tolkien’s legendarium and the concept of family canon, revealing how myths influence personal and collective identity. Family myths (family canon) can influence personal identity, highlighting examples like the "messy" middle child or cultural expectationsand the harms of rigid family canon can...

In this special episode celebrating Tolkien Reading Day, I read from one of my favourite passages in the Silmarrilion, and if just one person remembers that sometimes heroism is just getting through another day, then thats the light in the darkness I hope for. Happy Gondorian New Year! Any comments or questions you can contact me on counsellinginnorthumberland@gmail.com

Karen Pollock explores the character Andreth from Tolkien's legendarium, highlighting her wisdom, philosophical debates, and significance for International Women's Day. keywords; keywords Tolkien, Andrith, Middle Earth, Women in Literature, Philosophy, Tolkien's Legendarium, International Women's Day, Literary Analysis contact Karen on northumberlandcounselling@gmail.com or find ou...

This week I am looking at cogntive distortions, beliefs we hold onto as "facts" and how dangerous these can be with the weight of structural power behind them. The seemingly harmless belief those folk the other side of the shire are all a bit queer shows us how these distortions can have all the authority of solid facts, for the right listeners in the Ivy Bush. Content Notes for Mentions...

A short gift giving episode and seasons greetings to all the wonderful people on this journey with me. Here is to 2026! May we all be lights in the darkness for each other

Another inhabitant of middle earth joins me in my hypothetical therapy room, although in this case, as I will explore, I think a therapist's office would be the worst place for Fredegar Bolger to heal. In this episode I explore what the impact of his experiences might have been, and how as a therapist I might work with them. Content notes for discussion of torture, the holocaust (briefly) inca...

No Content Notes for this episode, but as always possible spoilers for anything in the works of Tolkien Summary In this episode, Karen Pollock explores the theme of hope through the lens of mental health and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. She discusses the importance of self-care, the dual concepts of Estel and Amdir as forms of hope, and how early experiences shape our beliefs about ourselves. The...

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 concl...

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 th...

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/e...

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 podcas...

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 nar...

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 o...

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...

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 e...

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 t...

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...

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-Actua...

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 Ka...