What is Kintsugi?
Kintsugi (金継ぎ), translated as “golden repair,” is a centuries-old Japanese art form in which broken pottery is mended with lacquer mixed with powdered gold. In this way, kintsugi highlights the piece’s fractures, rather than hiding them, transforming what was once damaged into something both strong and beautiful.
I see many metaphorical similarities between the art of kintsugi and the process of therapy. People seek therapy for a wide range of reasons: some want help through a challenging life change, others want help with longstanding issues, and still others come to therapy feeling like their lives are truly in “pieces.” My goal as a psychologist is to give you the support and skills you need, using evidence-based approaches, to navigate and mend these difficulties. In the end, these “cracks” are our own unique lived experiences and challenges that become integrated into who we are.
Healing requires acknowledging these “cracks,” understanding their nature and impact, and building resilience even in their presence.
I created the logo for The Kintsugi Practice with these metaphors in mind: the golden repair seams highlight and honor the vase’s history. Through this repair, with “flaws” showing and all, one can still bloom and thrive and beauty can still emerge, as represented by the vibrant poppies. The small bud (not yet a flower) represents the potential for continued growth we all have within us.
