Lidar Shany, PhD

“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.” C.G. Jung

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Lidar Shany, PhD's style

Why Lidar Shany, PhD chose to be in the helping profession

The helping profession chose me.

My first calling was motherhood. When I became a mother, it became the most meaningful and transformative role of my life. After the birth of my fourth child, I came to a profound realization. The mothering impulse within me was not rooted solely in my physical experience of motherhood. It lived much deeper, in my psyche and in my spirit, and felt far older than my body itself.

I began to understand that nurturing, guiding, and supporting growth was not simply something I did for my children. It was an essential part of who I am. That understanding changed the way I saw myself and the direction of my life. What I had experienced so deeply within my own family became the foundation for the work I was meant to do in the world.

That realization led me on a journey of self-discovery and professional development, allowing me to extend my capacity for care beyond my family and into my work. Along the way, I deepened my understanding of human growth, healing, and the resilience we all carry within us. Each step strengthened my belief that meaningful transformation happens when we feel truly seen, supported, and connected to our own inner wisdom.

Today, I have the privilege of accompanying others as they reconnect with that wisdom, navigate life's transitions, and create lasting, meaningful change. I strive to offer a space where people feel safe to explore, heal, and grow at their own pace. It is deeply fulfilling to witness individuals discover strengths they may have forgotten and move toward lives that feel more authentic and aligned. Supporting that process is not simply my profession. It is an expression of who I have always been.

Lidar Shany, PhD's approach

I have always been drawn to the depths.

As a Jungian psychotherapist and analyst, I belong to the tradition of depth psychology, which understands the psyche as a living, symbolic reality that continually seeks wholeness and expression. I have long been fascinated by the layers of human experience that exist beneath the surface, and by the ways our inner world quietly shapes our lives. This perspective has become the foundation of both my clinical work and my own lifelong journey of learning. It allows me to approach each person with curiosity, respect, and a deep appreciation for the uniqueness of their inner landscape.

A significant influence on my work is the theory of Erich Neumann, whose ideas are the focus of my dissertation and book. His understanding of human development, the evolution of consciousness, and the process of individuation continues to shape both my clinical and scholarly perspective. His work has given language to many of the profound experiences of growth and transformation that I witness in therapy. It continues to inspire the way I think, listen, and accompany others in their healing.

Working in the depths of the psyche means listening not only to what is spoken, but also to what emerges through dreams, images, emotions, relationships, and life's transitions. It requires fluency in the language of the psyche and a deep respect for the symbolic meaning woven throughout human experience. Often, the most important parts of a person's story are expressed in ways that extend beyond words. Together, we learn to recognize those patterns and discover the wisdom they hold.

My work is to help people recognize and embody their unique path. I walk alongside them for a time, accompanying them through periods of uncertainty, transformation, and growth until they are able to trust their own inner guidance and continue their journey with greater clarity and confidence. I believe each person carries within them an innate capacity for healing and wholeness, even when it feels distant or obscured. It is a privilege to witness that unfolding and to support people as they become more fully themselves.

What you can expect from sessions with Lidar Shany, PhD

Each therapeutic journey is unique, shaped by your individual history, life circumstances, and the questions that bring you to this work. Rather than following a predetermined path, we will explore together what is seeking your attention, understanding, and transformation at this point in your life. I believe therapy is a process of discovery rather than a search for quick answers. Together, we will create space for what wants to emerge, allowing your experience to guide the direction of our work.

Our sessions offer a confidential and reflective space where all aspects of your experience are welcome. Thoughts, emotions, dreams, relationships, conflicts, longings, and uncertainties all have a place in the therapeutic process. We will listen not only to the challenges you face, but also to the deeper patterns, meanings, and possibilities that emerge through them. By approaching your experiences with curiosity rather than judgment, we can begin to understand what they may be asking of you.

My approach is collaborative and depth-oriented. I do not see myself as the expert on your life. Instead, I bring my understanding of the psyche while trusting that the deepest wisdom about your path ultimately resides within you. My role is to help you recognize, explore, and develop that inner wisdom, offering guidance while honoring your own capacity for insight and growth.

At times, our work may involve exploring dreams, symbols, images, and recurring themes. At other times, it may focus on navigating a life transition, working through emotional pain, strengthening relationships, or finding greater clarity and direction. Wherever we begin, our aim is not simply symptom relief, but the development of a deeper relationship with yourself and a more authentic engagement with your life. Above all, you can expect to be met with curiosity, respect, compassion, and a genuine commitment to walking alongside you as you discover what seeks to unfold within you.

Lidar Shany, PhD's experience working with the Jewish community

I have one foot in Israel and one in the Diaspora.

I was born and raised in Israel, and Hebrew is my first language. My cultural roots, psychological sensibilities, and understanding of the world have been shaped by Israeli life and the broader Jewish tradition. At the same time, I lived in the United States for over a decade, where I completed my doctoral studies, wrote my dissertation, and developed much of my professional work in English. Living and working in both countries has allowed me to feel deeply at home in both Israeli and English-speaking environments, while giving me a genuine appreciation for the richness and complexity of each.

These two worlds share common roots while often expressing themselves in very different ways. Questions of identity, belonging, tradition, family, spirituality, homeland, and community can carry different meanings depending on one's cultural and geographical context. Having lived within both worlds, I understand many of the subtle differences that shape how people experience themselves, their relationships, and their place in the world. I recognize that these experiences are deeply personal, even when they are rooted in a shared heritage.

My experience allows me to work comfortably with clients from diverse Jewish backgrounds without requiring them to translate the nuances of their cultural, historical, or religious experience. Whether you live in Israel, North America, or elsewhere, I bring an appreciation for the many ways contemporary Jewish life shapes an individual's inner journey. I strive to create a space where these parts of your identity are understood naturally and can be explored with openness, curiosity, and respect.

In the aftermath of October 7, I worked closely with young children, their parents, and educational teams in a community profoundly affected by the attacks. That experience deepened my understanding of trauma, resilience, and the ways individual healing unfolds within the life of a family and a community. It reinforced my belief that healing is never only an individual process, but one that is also shaped by our relationships, our history, and our sense of belonging. It continues to inform my work with compassion, steadiness, and hope.

Lidar Shany, PhD's Book Recommendation Zone

• Erich Neumann, The Theory
  This book traces the developmental, relational, metapsychological theory that emerges from Erich Neumann’s writings, while considering the influences of his life circumstances and relationship with Jung. It revisions, reevaluates, and consolidates the emerging theory, in the hope of reviving interest in Neumann’s writings, and indicate his importance as a Jungian theoretician. This manuscript shows that Neumann’s theory effectively supplements Jung’s original writings, and is relevant to both theory and therapeutic practice. It presents Neumann’s formulations of psychological development from birth to the advanced stages of individuation process as a synthesis of his various writings. The books The Origins and History of Consciousness, The Great Mother, Jacob and Esau, Depth Psychology and a New Ethic, and The Child are at the center of focus, supported and amplified by some of Neumann’s metapsychological Eranos articles.
• Sacred Therapy
  Jewish spiritual teaching on emotional healing and inner wholeness
• Circle of Stones
  Circle of Stones draws us into a meditative experience of the lost Feminine and creates a space for us to consider our present lives from the eyes of women's ancient culture and ritual. Incorporating the most ancient symbol of spirituality-the circle of stones-Duerk weaves stories, dreams, and visions of women to lead each reader into a personal yet archetypal journey, posing the reflective question, "How might your life have been different if . . ."

Approaches

• Psychoanalytic Therapy
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Sand Tray
• Supervision Services
• Trauma Focused Therapy

Concerns

• Depression
• Life purpose and meaning
• Parenting
• Transitions & Change
• Trauma

10 years in practice

Licenses

• Psychotherapist by Bar Ilan University 2019. License number 23908536

Degrees

• PhD by Pacifica Graduate Institute 2021
• MA by Pacifica Graduate Institute 2015

Certificates

• Trauma informed by Pacifica Retreat 2018
• Infant Observation by PALO ALTO CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENTAL AND OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES 2022

Trainings

• Jungian Analyst by C. G. Jung Institute Kusnacht Zurich 2022

Affiliations

• Core Faculty by Ruppin University 2021- Current

Average costs per session

$200 - $400

Payment Methods

• Cash
• Zelle Quick Pay
• Venmo
• PayPal
• ACH Bank Transfer