Tarot Psych

Dr. Laura Robu
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  • MENTAL HEALTH
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Tarot as a psychological tool for self-exploration and personal transformation. Hosted by Laura Robu, PsyD, licensed psychologist. This show is the culmination of professional training and lived experience: - Hundreds of hours of daily Tarot practice - Thousands of hours of doctoral training - 9 years of work in the mental health field & - A decade and a half of personal psychotherapy and mental health treatment ***Please keep in mind that the information shared on this podcast is not intended for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for medical or psychological care***

Episodes

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    7. Strength: Taming Your Inner Lion With Self-Compassion

    On this episode: Traditional meanings of the Strength cardThe symbolism of the Strength card as a metaphor for self-compassionThe science of self-compassion as described by Dr. Kristin NeffHow self-compassion activates the care system and reduces stress (2022 study)How practicing loving kindness can slow aging by protecting telomeres (2019 study)Why healing requires self-compassion, not self-criticism (2025 study)Reflective questions and exercises for working with the Strength card in your Tarot practice***Please keep in mind that the information shared on this podcast is not intended for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for medical, psychological, or spiritual care. Always consult with your healthcare providers for personalized support.*** ~~~ Get a copy of The Nourished Heart Oracle Deck:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nourishedtreasures.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out my LinkTree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/dr_laurarobu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for support:  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 Crisis Text-line: Text TALK to 741741  Spanish Hopeline: "TEXTO ESPERANZA" TO APOYA (839-863)

    18 min

  2. 24 FEB

    6. The Hermit: The Power of Being Alone

    On this episode: Traditional meaning of the Hermit card: the solitary traveler, the seeker of wisdom, and the symbol of inner work.Solitude vs. loneliness and why solitude can feel threatening in our modern, hyper-connected world.What healthy solitude looks like in real life, grounded in psychology and research.How solitude can be used as a tool for resilience.Practical tips and takeaways for embracing the wisdom of The Hermit and applying it to daily life.References: "Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone" by Heather Hansen, Netta Weinstein, and Thuy-vy T. Nguyen (2024) ***Please keep in mind that the information shared on this podcast is not intended for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for medical, psychological, or spiritual care. Always consult with your healthcare providers for personalized support.*** ~~~ Get a copy of The Nourished Heart Oracle Deck:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nourishedtreasures.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out my LinkTree:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/dr_laurarobu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for support:  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 Crisis Text-line: Text TALK to 741741  Spanish Hopeline: "TEXTO ESPERANZA" TO APOYA (839-863)

    10 min

  3. 17 FEB

    5. The Fool: Growth Mindset for Everyday Resilience

    On this episode: The Fool card as a symbol of psychological resilience and a Growth Mindset.A clear primer on psychologist Carol Dweck’s mindset theory and why beliefs about ability matter for motivation, learning, and resilience.The importance of adopting a growth mindset and contrasting it with a fixed mindset. How Dr. Laura is embracing the energy of The Fool in her personal life. Practical prompts and suggestions for your Tarot practice to cultivate a growth-oriented approach to challenges and setbacks. References: Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House. Yeager, D. S., & Dweck, C. S. (2020). Mindsets that promote resilience: When students believe that hard work and strategies can help them improve. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 14(4), e12476. DOI:10.1080/00461520.2012.722805 ***Please keep in mind that the information shared on this podcast is not intended for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for medical, psychological, or spiritual care. Always consult with your healthcare providers for personalized support.*** ~~~ Get a copy of The Nourished Heart Oracle Deck:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nourishedtreasures.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out my LinkTree:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/dr_laurarobu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for support:  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 Crisis Text-line: Text TALK to 741741  Spanish Hopeline: "TEXTO ESPERANZA" TO APOYA (839-863)

    14 min

  4. 10 FEB

    4. The Lovers: 22 Pillars of Psychological Resilience in Tarot

    On this episode: Psychological ResilienceThe role of relationships and social supports in building and maintaining Psychological ResilienceWhat The Lovers teaches about resilience: social buffering, co-regulation, and safe connectionKey concepts: co-regulation, secure attachment, meaning-making, and agency in seeking supportPractical takeaways: build a reliable social safety net, create shared meaning rituals, and use internal and external resources to stay regulated ***Please keep in mind that the information shared on this podcast is not intended for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for medical, psychological, or spiritual care. Always consult with your healthcare providers for personalized support.*** ~~~ Get a copy of The Nourished Heart Oracle Deck:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nourishedtreasures.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out my LinkTree:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/dr_laurarobu⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠ If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for support:  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 Crisis Text-line: Text TALK to 741741  Spanish Hopeline: "TEXTO ESPERANZA" TO APOYA (839-863)

    10 min

  5. 3 FEB

    3. Practical Ways to Cultivate Safety & Connection in Your Tarot Practice

    On this episode: How to check in with yourself to tell if you’re activated and in need of safety and connection in your Tarot practice  Five evidence-based, trauma-informed practices to use in your Tarot readings when you’re feeling activated  The importance of down-regulating arousal, establishing predictable safety signals, and prioritizing mindfulness ***Please keep in mind that the information shared on this podcast is not intended for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for medical, psychological, or spiritual care. Always consult with your healthcare providers for personalized support.*** ~~~ Get a copy of The Nourished Heart Oracle Deck:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nourishedtreasures.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠ Check out my LinkTree:⁠ ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/dr_laurarobu⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠ ~~~ If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for support:  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988  Crisis Text-line: Text TALK to 741741  Spanish Hopeline: "TEXTO ESPERANZA" TO APOYA (839-863)

    12 min

  6. 27 JAN

    2. Safety First: How Fear Dilutes Tarot’s Medicine

    On today’s episode:  The importance of cultivating safety in your Tarot readings and why fear dilutes the medicine of the cards.Why “scary” cards (Death, The Tower, The Devil—or even certain suits like Swords) can trigger real fear, even when we know they aren’t “bad” cards. How Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges; Deb Dana) explains fear responses: the nervous system constantly scans for threat, and trauma can make that “threat detector” extra sensitive.  What happens in fight-or-flight: the brain shifts from growth and insight to survival, compromising reflection, emotional processing, and learning.  The 7 key brain functions that often drop in survival mode (executive function, decision-making, flexibility, language, learning, emotional regulation, self-reflection)—and how that impacts Tarot readings.  “Fear dilutes the medicine of the cards:” Anxiety can turn Tarot into rumination or reassurance-seeking instead of a tool for healing.  Why cultivating Safety (a felt sense of “I’m okay right now”) and Connection (attuned presence/social engagement) is essential for therapeutic Tarot.  ***Please keep in mind that the information shared on this podcast is not intended for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for medical, psychological, or spiritual care. Always consult with your healthcare providers for personalized support.*** ~~~ Get a copy of The Nourished Heart Oracle Deck:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nourishedtreasures.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠ Check out my LinkTree:⁠ ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/dr_laurarobu⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠ ~~~ If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for support:  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988  Crisis Text-line: Text TALK to 741741  Spanish Hopeline: "TEXTO ESPERANZA" TO APOYA (839-863)

    13 min

  7. 20 JAN

    1. Principles of Using Tarot as a Psychological Tool

    The 4 P’s of using tarot as a psychological tool What we cover: Principle 1: Tarot is Non-Predictive — reflects inner landscapes, not fixed futures.Principle 2: Tarot is Non-Prescriptive — sustains autonomy; cards inform, not command.Principle 3: Tarot is Personal — meaning arises from your unique relationship with the cards.Principle 4: Tarot is About Perspective — reveals your perceptions, beliefs, and patterns.Key takeaways: Use tarot to reflect, explore, and grow — not to foretell.Build a personal, value-aligned, action-oriented practice.Bring awareness to your perspective and how it shapes readings.***Please keep in mind that the information shared on this podcast is not intended for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for medical, psychological, or spiritual care. Always consult with your healthcare providers for personalized support.*** ~~~ Get a copy of The Nourished Heart Oracle Deck: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nourishedtreasures.etsy.com⁠⁠ Check out my LinkTree: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/dr_laurarobu⁠⁠ Follow me on ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ Follow me on ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠ Follow me on ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠ ~~~ If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for support:  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988  Crisis Text-line: Text TALK to 741741  Spanish Hopeline: "TEXTO ESPERANZA" TO APOYA (839-863)

    13 min

  8. 20 JAN · BONUS

    0. Tarot 101 and the Psychology of Meaning

    On this episode: What a standard Tarot deck looks like The Major Arcana and the big arcs of life The four suits of the Minor Arcana Numerology in Tarot Tarot as a tool for meaning-making 5 practical tips for getting comfortable with your first deck  ***Please keep in mind that the information shared on this podcast is not intended for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for medical, psychological, or spiritual care. Always consult with your healthcare providers for personalized support.*** ~~~ Get a copy of The Nourished Heart Oracle Deck:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nourishedtreasures.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out my LinkTree:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/dr_laurarobu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for support:  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 Crisis Text-line: Text TALK to 741741  Spanish Hopeline: "TEXTO ESPERANZA" TO APOYA (839-863)

    11 min

  9. 18 JAN

    Trailer: Tarot Psych

    First episode drops on January 20, 2026. Follow and subscribe now -- it would help me out a lot :) — Welcome to Tarot Psych — a show about using tarot as a psychological tool for self-exploration and personal transformation. I’m Dr. Laura, a trauma therapist, licensed psychologist, and creator of the Nourished Heart Oracle Deck. My mission is to make therapeutic concepts accessible through the practice of tarot. Each episode, I’ll share a non-predictive, non-prescriptive approach to tarot as well as practical insights to help you explore your inner world. We’ll dive into topics like: Principles of tarot as a psychological tool—how this differs from traditional uses of tarotUsing tarot for self-actualization and individuation   Overlaps between tarot and therapies like depth psychology, IFS, DBT, and moreUsing tarot cards for grounding and resource-building The first episode drops on Tuesday, January 20, 2026!  Join me on this journey of self-discovery— your inner wisdom is waiting to be unlocked.  — Get a copy of The Nourished Heart Oracle Deck: ⁠https://nourishedtreasures.etsy.com Check out my LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/dr_laurarobu Follow me on TikTok Follow me on Instagram  Follow me on Bluesky

    1 min

Trailer

About

Tarot as a psychological tool for self-exploration and personal transformation. Hosted by Laura Robu, PsyD, licensed psychologist. This show is the culmination of professional training and lived experience: - Hundreds of hours of daily Tarot practice - Thousands of hours of doctoral training - 9 years of work in the mental health field & - A decade and a half of personal psychotherapy and mental health treatment ***Please keep in mind that the information shared on this podcast is not intended for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for medical or psychological care***

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Laura Robu
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Laura Robu
  • Show Website
    Tarot Psych