Well, on therepy and magic, professional psychologists are a rather new thing in human history. Before them, this job fell to shamans, witchdoctors, priests, etc. A lot of magic techniques are ways to make changes in yourself. Used to identify, corner, and deal with a problem, magic is therepy. Its psychology, but in the abstract symbolic sense rather than the more logical approach. Take away all the cause and effect, and just deal with it directly as it is.
As an example, one might visualize their apathy as a demon causing it. One strengthens this relation by continued contemplation and rationalization, providing "evidence" to themselves that "the demon kept me from leaving the couch that day". Perhaps in time, they may begin directly visualizing the demon as a force pressing on them, pushing them down. Should they fight this manifested force somehow, such as they banishment, direct combat, or exorcism, the experience may be powerful enough for them to rid that influence from their psyche, and become less apathatic.
That's just one way you can use magical methods to deal with psychological problems. Was there really a demon? Who cares. If the person believed in the experience strongly enough, they effected a change in themselves. Behold, the power of belief 
Another use of magic is in the contemplation of escoteric systems as a means to achieve balance within onesself. For example, the 4 elements model. Each element describes an aspect of the self, all of which in balance describe the whole. Apathy may be seen as a negative imbalance in the fire aspect. One may then contemplate things "firey" and partake in "firey" activities in order to bring themselves into balance. Indulge in music, sex, dance, exercise, violent video games, bright lights, whatever. In effect, they get off their ass and get busy, with the reason being something escoteric rather than specific. The results are the same, the person becomes more active, and thus combats the apathy that saps their will. Perhaps when they've managed to maintain a better energy level, they can then redirect it towards correcting the things in their life they've let slip.
The way I see it, a magician is his own therepist. If you know you've got a problem, you've already got enough handle on it to fix it. Its just a matter of effort from there.
I don't know, what do you think of this Ganesh? As a psychologist, do you see possible use of these methods as tools, granted that they be practiced dilligently and competently? To me, it all seems the same sort of thing, just with different names and associations. |
Ganesh 
but also working in the "psych" devision of the medicial tent. While it affords tons of free entry to tons of concerts & fairs (back stage passes & all) it's also great fun!! Really. While I'm not a Dr. of anything... LOTS of Milage along the edges of reality has equiped me to be able to successfully pull others back from over the edge. I fermly believe that the accumulated Good KARMA insures only the best of trips when I'm taking my own excursions!!!