Enso
Although at first glance the Enso appears to be a simple and imperfect circle, it is, instead, a sacred Zen symbol rich in meaning. Constructed with a single brushstroke, the Enso is believed to capture a moment in time expressed by the artist. It is perfect in its imperfection, and is not to be changed or “touched up” once the circle manifests on the canvas. The Enso is also thought to capture moments of awakening and to represent a wholeness that is both containing and yet open and permeable to what lies outside the circle.
We chose the Enso as our clinic logo because it is a symbol that captures the psychological process that unfolds during effective psychotherapy. While symptom resolution is undoubtedly important, the type of psychological healing that promotes well-being for a lifetime comes with learning to be truly present in our lives. When we are no longer burdened by shame, guilt, and regrets of the past, or consumed by worries and “what ifs” about the future, we learn to live – truly live – with energy and vitality. This also means learning to accept the imperfections in ourselves rather than endlessly attempting to attain some elusive and impossible standard of “good enough” or perfection. Psychological health further emerges when we feel whole yet flexible, and bounded when we need to be, yet open to those thoughts, feelings, relationships, and experiences that will challenge us to grow.