The Hope of LiminalPie
a concept map
A Path for Growth Through Asynchronous Narrative
As the creator of LiminalPie, I’ve spent years as a psychologist grounded in the 50-minute in-person therapy session, often seen as the gold standard for transformation. Yet, I’ve come to believe that profound growth can also happen in the quieter, in-between moments of life—through asynchronous, text-based digital content designed to meet people in those liminal spaces of transition. LiminalPie is my attempt to build a platform that honors this process, drawing on psychological, philosophical, and spiritual foundations to offer a distinct path for meaning-making.
Why LiminalPie’s Asynchronous Narrative Works
1. Spacing Effect
Research by Cepeda et al. (2006) shows that learning over time, with pauses, strengthens retention. LiminalPie’s text-based prompts, delivered gradually, give users space to let insights take root, offering a reflective depth that complements the immediacy of in-person therapy.
2. Incubation Effect
Sio & Ormerod (2009) found that stepping away from conscious problem-solving allows the mind to process ideas unconsciously. A narrative prompt from LiminalPie might spark clarity days later, fostering organic growth that’s hard to achieve in a single therapy session.
3. Narrative as Transformation
Pennebaker & Smyth (2016) demonstrate that writing about experiences improves well-being and clarifies values. LiminalPie’s text-based activities—journaling, responding to story prompts—empower users to reshape their narratives, offering a unique tool for self-discovery outside the therapist’s office.
Foundations of LiminalPie
1. Depth Psychology’s Patience
Carl Jung (1954) described individuation, the journey to becoming oneself, as a process that unfolds slowly. LiminalPie’s asynchronous prompts align with this, inviting users to explore symbols, dreams, or reflections at their own pace, free from the time constraints of a 50-minute session.
2. Holding Environment Across Time
D.W. Winnicott (1960) defined a holding environment as a space of psychological safety. LiminalPie extends this through ongoing text-based engagement, creating a sense of being held over days or weeks, distinct from the contained structure of in-person therapy.
3. Hermeneutic Cycles
Philosophers like Hans-Georg Gadamer and Paul Ricoeur teach that understanding deepens through revisiting ideas. LiminalPie’s narrative prompts are designed for return—each interaction with a text or question reveals new layers, offering a flexibility that traditional therapy can’t always provide.
4. Liminality as Sacred Space
Liminality, the threshold between what was and what’s next, is a concept rooted in anthropology and spiritual traditions. Think of rites of passage or mythic journeys—moments of solitude and reflection that spark transformation. LiminalPie draws on this, using asynchronous narratives to hold users in that fertile, in-between space, much like a monk retreating for contemplation before meeting a guide.
What LiminalPie Offers
LiminalPie isn’t trying to replace the 50-minute therapy session. It’s a different path, with unique strengths:
- Self-Paced Reflection: Text-based prompts let users process at their own rhythm, weaving insights into daily life, unlike the intensity of a scheduled session.
- Narrative Agency: Writing or responding to prompts helps users author their own stories, building self-understanding without immediate therapist input.
- Accessible Timing: Content is available when users need it, aligning with their emotional readiness, not a calendar.
- Complementary Value: LiminalPie stands alongside traditional therapy, offering a space for growth that’s rooted in reflection and liminality.
The Vision for LiminalPie
As a psychologist, I’ve seen the power of in-person connection, but I’m equally drawn to the potential of digital, text-based narratives to foster growth. LiminalPie is my exploration of that potential—a platform built on the belief that the in-between moments, where stories unfold and meaning emerges, are sacred. By blending psychology, philosophy, and the mythic resonance of liminal spaces, LiminalPie offers users a way to navigate their own transformations, not as a lesser alternative to therapy, but as a vital path in its own right.
References
- Cepeda, N. J., et al. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin.
- Sio, U. N., & Ormerod, T. C. (2009). Does incubation enhance problem solving? Psychological Bulletin.
- Pennebaker, J. W., & Smyth, J. M. (2016). Opening Up by Writing It Down.
- Jung, C. G. (1954). The Practice of Psychotherapy.
- Winnicott, D. W. (1960). The Theory of the Parent-Infant Relationship.
LiminalPie invites users to step into liminal spaces through narrative, finding meaning and growth on their own terms.