Wendy K. Belding, LMFT

01/06/2025

Two of my colleagues recently shared this and I thought I too would pass it on. PTSD is treatable, I see people get better every day. If you or a loved one are in torment come to me and we can walk through this healing journey together.

03/06/2024

Abstract from my Master's Thesis March 2005

Trust Versus Mistrust: The Early Wounding Origin of the Puer Complex in Men

This thesis is an exploration of the puer aeternus (latin for eternal youth) complex as it manifests both culturally and within the individual male. The puer aeternus (puer) is an archetype that serves a special function by connecting the human realm with the Divine. In its archetypal form the puer is the inspiration for new beginnings and inspires art. When a person is dominated by the puer complex he remains caught in one way of being. This person is often resistant to commitment, has a drive towards a new spiritual path, a strong desire to fly or engage in dangerous activities, a grandiose perception of himself, and difficulty with a mother complex resulting often in a deep seated loathing for women. Because his wounding was within the first phase of development, which psychoanalyst Erik Erikson deemed the basic trust versus basic mistrust stage, the puer dominated man was never able to develop the belief that he is safe in the world. As a result he cannot trust himself nor the outside world. As this is the first developmental phase, his entire self construction was developed in reaction to the ego-distonic environment. As the mother is usually the person who is the primary caretaker, the puer dominated man sees her as the source of his pain.

The puer in traditional psychological terms is the narcissist. Historically narcissistic personality disorders were seen as untreatable. Heinz Kohut redefined the origin of wounding in the narcissist and developed a way of working with this type of client. In therapy, through mirroring the client and creating an environment where he can develop that base level trust, the puer dominated man can move beyond this complex.

The puer aeternus archetype serves well to assert the importance of moving beyond the traditional. When it becomes a complex either socially or within the individual it is important to uncover the origination of the mother wound. To uncover the mother wound this thesis will explore the oppression of the feminine traits of nurturing, loving and caretaking in society's attempts to fit women into the traditional, patriarchal working world. In addition the domination of Christianity has undermined the power of the Goddess and her place as a role model for women. This thesis questions whether the undervalued place of the mother in society is, in part, the reason for the increase of the puer complex.

05/24/2022

This is happening right outside of my office! So pretty!

03/19/2022

When times are difficult don’t forget to notice the beauty that is also present. Photo by Cam Abes

01/19/2022

How are you all doing?

11/22/2021

I went to this last night and highly recommend watching it. This documentary is about a former Navy Seal who received an experimental treatment for PTSD which resulted in him having psychotic break. The doctor who was treating him gave him much more than the normal dose of this treatment. This doctor has since been fired from UCSD but continues to practice in San Diego.

REWIRED, a new documentary based on our award-winning 2020 investigation, premiered on Saturday, Nov. 21, in an in-person event aboard the USS Midway.

08/31/2021

I just had a couple of appointment times open up. Does anyone want therapy?

06/28/2021

Individual, Couples or Family therapy offered in the Village of La Jolla.

Good morning! My office is now open to in person therapy appointments for vaccinated people. The location is conveniently located in the Village of La Jolla.

7734 Herschel Ave, Suite D
La Jolla, CA 92037
(619) 318-7208

Telehealth appointments will continue to be offered for people preferring to meet through this venue.

Here is my website for more information.
https://wendybelding.com/

Warm regards, Wendy

Tranquility

06/03/2021

Thomas Harker is the Acting Secretary of the Navy. Please see the new stance on addressing mental healthcare early. Thank you for leading the way Tom!

An interview with Secretary of the Navy Thomas Harker on preventing suicides.

05/15/2021

In honor of mental health awareness month Tom Harker, Acting Secretary of the Navy, shared his experience with mental health treatment.

05/07/2021

Tom Harker, Secretary of the Navy, sharing about his personal experience with mental health treatment. Please share widely.

04/21/2021

Here is a great resource for mantram repetition developed by Jill Bormann, PhD.