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Behzad Bernous, PsyD, Tustin, CA (2025)

06/02/2025

Exploring the Artistic Depths of Jung’s Psyche

For those captivated by the intersection of art and psychology, The Red Book Hours: Discovering C.G. Jung’s Art Mediums and Creative Process by Jill Mellick offers a profound journey into Carl Jung’s inner world. This richly illustrated volume delves into how Jung utilized art—not merely as aesthetic expression—but as a vital tool for self-exploration and spiritual insight.

Between 1913 and 1930, Jung embarked on an introspective odyssey, documenting his visions and fantasies in what became known as The Red Book (Liber Novus). Through meticulous calligraphy, vibrant illustrations, and symbolic imagery, he externalized his unconscious experiences, crafting a manuscript that remained unpublished until 2009.

Mellick’s work sheds light on Jung’s deliberate choices of materials and techniques. She explores his use of powdered pigments over commercial paints, his creation of a standing desk for artistic endeavors, and his architectural designs of spaces like the Bollingen Tower to facilitate creative flow. These insights reveal how Jung’s environments and tools were integral to his process of engaging with the unconscious.

The Red Book Hours is more than an art book; it’s a testament to the therapeutic and spiritual dimensions of creativity. For artists, psychologists, and seekers alike, it underscores the transformative power of art in understanding the self.

03/09/2025

“I Must Create a System, or Be Enslaved by Another Man’s”

William Blake’s words echo through time, challenging us to break free from inherited structures and forge our own paths. To create is not merely to produce—it is an act of defiance, a refusal to be confined by the constructs of others. Reasoning and comparison bind us to the past; creation opens the door to what has never been.

In this image, the wall—a surface meant to divide—reveals the contours of a face. A ghostly presence emerging from the structure, it reminds us that within every boundary, there is the potential for transformation. Do we accept the walls given to us, or do we reshape them into something of our own making?

Blake urges us to choose: To conform or to create? To be defined or to define?

11/30/2024

The Ever-Present Eye:
Throughout history, the symbol of the ever-watching eye—like the Eye of Horus or the “all-seeing eye” on the back of US dollar bills —has appeared across cultures as a representation of Devine consciousness. I believe that becoming conscious is not only central to our existence but the very purpose of creation. Each moment of awareness brings us closer to the essence of what it means to truly live.

This ever-present “eye” reminds us of the presence of consciousness throughout time. It has influenced human behavior by instilling a sense of accountability—whether through the fear of judgment or the recognition of our role within the larger fabric of existence.

Carl Jung’s idea of the collective unconscious resonates deeply with this concept. He proposed that beyond our personal unconscious lies a shared reservoir of humanity’s experiences—a vast storehouse of knowledge accessible to those who seek it. By paying attention to our inner selves and our surroundings, we can connect with this timeless awareness and uncover profound insights.

Philosophers and spiritual leaders have long advocated for practices like silence and mindfulness to attune ourselves to this ever-present consciousness. In recent years, some have turned to hallucinogenic experiences to explore these depths. For me, photography serves as my bridge to this ever present consciousness.

Through the act of observing and capturing the world through my lens, I step into full presence. A seemingly ordinary moment—like one I had at Mr. Moto Pizza in San Diego—can turn into an aha realization, reminding me of the richness of awareness. Whenever we are fully conscious, we align ourselves with the purpose of creation and tap into the flow of life itself.

11/19/2024

Through The Lens of Time: Icon

Thirty years ago, I captured a series of images in Iran that explore the profound impact of cultural upbringing on the psyche. These images weave a narrative of how icons—formed through religious, social, or cultural contexts—shape our inner world and sense of identity.

The posters in these photographs depict revered religious figures in Shia Islam, portrayed as all-powerful, just, and holy. These figures are elevated to mythical status, becoming not just religious icons but psychological ones, deeply imprinted in the minds of those who grow up surrounded by them. Similar to how celebrities function in Western cultures, these icons become templates of what we aspire to, admire, and unconsciously identify with.

The story unfolds across several stages:
- Childhood Admiration: In youth, we see these figures as ideals, symbols of perfection and authority.
- Adolescent Identification: As we grow, we internalize their attributes, striving to emulate their qualities, often without question.
- Adulthood Doubt: Maturity brings reflection, questioning the validity and relevance of these teachings in our lives.
- Liberation and Self-Discovery: Finally, there comes a turning point—a shedding of imposed identities to find the truth of who we are as humans. It is in this space that we begin to appreciate our own humanity, free from the need to be “superhuman.”

This journey, though deeply personal, is universal. It speaks to the challenge of unearthing ourselves beneath layers of cultural, religious, and societal conditioning. I hope we all strive to question, to reflect, and to choose our role models consciously, rather than accepting the ones handed to us by introjection.

Let us discover the icons we truly wish to follow, not out of obligation, but out of authenticity.

10/30/2024

Through the Lens of Time: Melancholia

In this captured moment from a Tehran bank during the Iran-Iraq war, sandbags cover the building, a temporary shield against the looming threat of rockets and bombs. An old man walks past, seemingly detached from his surroundings, his steps aimless yet burdened with an unspoken weight. His presence, juxtaposed with the fortified bank, evokes an atmosphere heavy with confusion, fragility, and a sense of resignation—a reflection of a period marked by tension and melancholia.

Melancholia—a deep, persistent sadness that holds no single reason but instead envelops the spirit with a blend of sorrow, hopelessness, and introspective heaviness. This scene is steeped in it; the sandbags, a reminder of impermanence, and the man’s directionless walk portray the fragility of human life and the weight of survival in times of war.

And now, decades later, the possibility of war looms once again, casting shadows over us and bringing back the same melancholia, the same haunting questions about the legitimacy of conflict. Are we doomed to repeat history, to continually sacrifice peace and human life in the name of power or politics? This image reminds us of the human cost of war—a cost that should make us pause, grieve, and ask ourselves if this path can ever be justified.

10/29/2024

Through the Lens of Time: Which Direction Should I Go?

In early 1990s Tehran, I captured this moment: a woman holding a sign that reads “Down with USA” and “Down with Israel,” while two men walk behind her in opposite directions. The scene speaks volumes—a snapshot of a society pulled in conflicting directions, a reflection of confusion, and a lack of clear path.

Over 30 years have passed, yet this image feels hauntingly familiar today. Amid rising tensions, it’s a reminder of how easily confusion can be sown by powerful narratives, how collective direction can be lost in the fog of politicized information. This tactic, unfortunately, persists, creating divisions and uncertainty even in nations that prize freedom.

In our age of endless information, we must strive for clarity of mind. Consciousness is essential, not only to find our own path but to discern truth beyond the filters placed on us. Sorting through this noise isn’t just personal—it’s a responsibility to each other and to future generations.

10/11/2024

Through the Lens of Time: Decisive Moment

In 1994, while covering traditional wedding ceremonies of Iranian nomads in Shiraz province for NHK TV, I captured this fleeting moment of a young woman dressed in her finest attire, fearlessly leaping over a puddle. Her graceful jump, right before she lands into the water, is a testament to the spirit of celebration—completely unbothered by the consequences. This image immediately brought to mind the iconic work of Henri Cartier-Bresson, the legendary French photographer who coined the concept of the decisive moment. He defined it as the perfect convergence of timing, subject, and emotion—where all elements align for a split second to create a powerful image.

Documentary photography, in its purest form, allows us to capture life as it unfolds, celebrating the raw and unfiltered beauty of the present. When I see this photo, I feel the thrill of uncertainty, not knowing the outcome of her leap, but embracing the joy in the moment.

#1994

10/07/2024

Through the Lens of Time: Adam’s Dust
‎دوش دیدم که ملایک در میخانه زدند
‎گل آدم بسرشتند و به پیمانه زدند

“Last night I saw the angels
tapping at the tavern’s door.
And kneading Adam’s dust,
and molding it as cups for wine.” — Hafez

In the early 1990s, I took this photograph as part of my BFA thesis. My talented friend sculpted a face in the sand, and it instantly brought to mind this Hafez poem. The image of Adam’s dust being molded into a vessel evokes both our creative potential and the fragility of life.

The face in the sand feels like a visual metaphor for our existence—created from dust, and destined to return to it. It’s a reflection on our mortality, a deep awareness that shapes much of our behavior and fuels our desire to create. We long to leave behind something lasting, something that transcends our impermanence.

Freud’s idea of Eros and Thanatos captures this beautifully. Eros, the life force, pushes us to create, to build, and to love, while Thanatos, the death drive, represents the pull toward dissolution and destruction. This photograph, with the hand’s shadow hovering over the face, symbolizes that constant tension between creation and destruction, between life and death.

In our creative acts, we defy Thanatos—we affirm life. The awareness of death compels us to live fully, to build something that will outlast us. This image is not just a work of art, but a reflection of that deep, universal drive to create, love, and exist in the face of impermanence.

10/01/2024

Through The Lend of Time; Embracing Our Inner Dievs.
In this image from 30 years ago, the legendary Jazeh Tabatabai, painter, sculptor, and poet, lies on a couch, cradling a baby doll, while his vivid paintings of Dievs—Persian devils—loom in the background. Jazeh’s Dievs were not figures of fear, but ones he adored, painted with tenderness and humanity. He told me that each had its own name, its own story. That day, after lunch, he shared their stories with me, reminding me how much of his life he had filled with his beloved Dievs.

Jazeh’s relationship with his Dievs is a powerful metaphor for the relationship we should cultivate with our inner demons, those forgotten parts of ourselves that we hide away, the shadows lurking in the dark corners of our unconscious. The baby doll in his arms represents the inner child—our purest, most vulnerable self. Psychologically, the image holds layers: Jazeh as the Ego, the doll as the inner child or ID, and the paintings as the shadow aspects of the unconscious mind.

By befriending our shadows, like Jazeh did with his Dievs, we take an essential step towards wholeness. These devils, these demons, are not imaginary monsters. They are disowned parts of ourselves, waiting patiently in the dark for us to recognize them, to bring them into the light.

In the ancient stories of King Solomon, he is said to have had power over demons, commanding them at will. This, too, is a powerful psychological metaphor. To achieve the wisdom and balance of Solomon, one must first face, know, and integrate their inner demons. Wisdom comes not from ignoring the shadow, but from understanding and embracing it.

I invite you to spend time with your inner Dievs, to get to know them, to realize that they hold a piece of your story, your wholeness. Embrace them, and in doing so, embrace yourself. Only then can we become truly complete.

09/30/2024

Through The Lens of Time. Resilience amid ruin.

This photo takes me back to June 21, 1990, when a devastating earthquake struck northern Iran, specifically the Manjil-Rudbar region. With a magnitude of 7.4, it claimed tens of thousands of lives and left entire cities in ruins. I was there to document the destruction for news coverage, but amidst the rubble, the most heart-wrenching images were not just the collapsed buildings, but the children trying to make sense of the world around them.

In this picture, four children stand in the wreckage of a house. One of them, wearing a T-shirt with a happy Mickey Mouse, has a face full of sorrow—a sharp contrast that immediately struck me. While Mickey beams with joy, the child’s expression tells the real story of loss, confusion, and survival. Two other kids show clear signs of anxiety, nervously putting their fingers in their mouths—a subconscious attempt at comfort in the midst of chaos. The fourth child appears ready to run away, caught in that split second of deciding to flee the scene. What’s remarkable is how they seem unaware of my presence, completely absorbed in their own world, trying to adapt to the incomprehensible reality around them.

Children, in their innocence, attempt to cope with tragedy in ways we can’t fully understand. They endure both physical and emotional pain, often more than we realize. But seeing them in moments like this reminds me that while their resilience is remarkable, their vulnerability is just as profound.

Looking at the conflicts today in the Middle East and Ukraine, the same scenes play out with children caught in the crossfire of devastation. There’s one stark difference, though: we cannot control earthquakes, but wars are a choice—made by people, fueled by power, and imposed on the innocent. Yet, the cost is always the same. It’s the children who pay the highest price.

09/28/2024

Through the Lens of Time. This image pulls me into a whirlwind of opposites. Below, four modern children stand, one dressed in a formal tie—a vision of our era, yet rooted in timelessness. Above their heads looms a door, framing the scene of Rostam, our great Persian hero, seizing the White Diev by the horn, poised for death, while the Diev’s child watches helplessly.

It’s a collision of feelings. Rostam’s victory should feel triumphant, but the child’s gaze turns that triumph into tragedy.

Is it a victory when the innocent still bear witness to loss?
And these children below, so modern, so removed, are yet bound to the ancient myth above them, a reflection of how history’s struggles and victories echo through time and into our present.

The clash of old and new, heroism and sorrow, victory and loss. I find myself lingering in that tension—between the triumph of killing a demon and the tragedy of what it leaves behind.

09/26/2024

Through The Lens of Time.Human or Angel?

In a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still. There she was—this young girl, gliding down the hillside, her white glowing dress casting an ethereal light around her. It was as if she weren’t walking but floating, as if some divine presence had gently placed her in that moment. I was out capturing a family portrait that day, but in that second, I felt completely mesmerized. Was I witnessing a human or an angel?

Children often carry with them an innocence that we instinctively associate with angels, a purity untouched by the world. Their presence gives us hope, reminding us that through them, we continue—our future, our dreams, and even our legacy. In their laughter, we find joy; in their presence, we find purpose. They are not just essential to our survival but also to our belief in something greater, something beyond ourselves. Seeing her that day, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of the divine, an unearthly beauty that captured the essence of innocence.

Perhaps, in them, we see both—human and angel. ✨

Behzad Bernous, PsyD

06/02/2025

03/09/2025

11/30/2024

11/19/2024

10/30/2024

10/29/2024

10/11/2024

10/07/2024

10/01/2024

09/30/2024

09/28/2024

09/26/2024

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Monday	9am - 7pm
Tuesday	10am - 7pm
Wednesday	10am - 7pm
Thursday	9am - 7pm
Friday	9am - 6pm