We use technically essential cookies as well as anonymized analytical cookies to ensure that we give you the best user experience on our website. Please select “Allow all cookies” if you agree to the usage of both cookie categories. Otherwise, select “Allow technically essential cookies only” to ensure that this site is working properly as designed. Detailed information on the handling of cookies and data privacy can be found in our Privacy Policy.

You are using an insecure Internet browser

We have noticed that you are using Internet Explorer which is an outdated and insecure Internet browser. Please use one of the browsers below for a safe and optimal experience on our website.
Thank you.

Edge Firefox Chrome
Skip to content
About Elephant
Clinic
Institute
Corporates
Contact
  • About Us
  • Why Elephant?
  • Team
  • Supporters & Partners
  • Contact
Menu
  • About Us
  • Why Elephant?
  • Team
  • Supporters & Partners
  • Contact
Search
Close
Contact Us

Book

Menu

  • Pages
  • >
  • About Us
  • >

Why Elephant?

The elephant embodies the perfect metaphor to eloquently symbolise Elephant's mission and vision.

Elephants are considered to be part of the keystone species. Keystone species play a crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions. Without them, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.

Being some of the most intelligent creatures on Earth, elephants have three times as many neurons as humans and, whilst many are used to control their large bodies, they manifest a wide variety of highly sophisticated and adaptive behaviour, including those associated with grief, learning, mimicry, play, altruism, compassion, cooperation, self-awareness, communication and, of course, memory.

Neither swimming on the surface nor being swept downstream, the elephant crosses the middle of the river in a straight line, with its feet on the ground. Unmoved by the current, the elephant calmly completes its crossing. The image of an elephant crossing a river symbolizes the might and majesty of a balanced, stable and grounded life, outcomes emerging from an effective psychotherapeutic journey.

 

elephant close up
elephant close up
elephant close up
elephant close up

The relevance of relationships to elephants, including cross-generational relationships, also parallels how inherently fundamental relationships are for human beings, offering the opportunity to repair or remake wounds.

Indeed elephants engage in interesting rituals, such as returning to the site of dead ancestors where they grieve and mourn. In so doing, they appear to be able to process – and thus release – the ancestors’ energetic ties and lineage, which can be considered as being one of the most important tasks for the psyche to develop freely and adaptively.

The elephant has one of the most closely knit societies of any living species and evidence shows their families can only be separated by death or capture. A metaphor to remind us of the importance of the existential relational and inter-subjective dimensions, pivotal developing fields in pioneering clinical psychology and neuropsychology.

The relevance of relationships to elephants, including cross-generational relationships, also parallels how inherently fundamental relationships are for human beings, offering the opportunity to repair or remake wounds. Relationships also remind us how wounds and trauma are transgenerationally passed on, enhancing the relevance of the work on the self to break old maladaptive patterns.

Find us

Elephant Consultation Clinic
87 Club Street
3rd Floor
Singapore 069455
View map

Contact us

+65 62241545
Send us a message

Subscribe to our mailing list

WhatsApp

© 2023 Copyright – Elephant | Privacy Policy | Design by OLC

  • Home
    • About Us
    • Clinic
    • Institute
    • Corporates
    • Contact
Menu
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Clinic
    • Institute
    • Corporates
    • Contact
Book an appointment

Book

Close

Who we are

  • About Us
  • Why Elephant?
  • Team
  • Supporters & Partners
  • Contact

Clinic

  • Clinic Overview
  • Counselling/Psychotherapy
    • All
    • Adult Therapy
    • Couple Therapy
    • Children Therapy
    • Therapy for Adolescents
    • Therapy for Families
    • Psychological Assessments
    • Educational Institution Partnerships – Coming soon!
    • Coaching
  • Team
    • All
    • By name
      • Dr. Adriana Giotta
      • Dr. Richard Sherry
      • Dr. Deborah Marks
      • Dr. Roy Chan
      • Luca d’Avanzo
      • Vicky Goldin
      • Richard Curen
      • Joselyn Loh
      • Melissa Yoong
      • Dian Karnina
      • Kar Heng Loh
      • Joy Chen
      • Marilyn Santhu
    • By specialty
    • By language
    • Join our team
  • Fees
  • Events/News
  • Resources
    • Blog Articles
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Library
    • Mindfulness-Based Practices
    • Glossary
    • Covid 19 Help
    • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Testimonials
  • FAQs

Institute

  • Institute Overview
  • Services
    • CPD Training
    • Post Graduate Diplomas
    • Supervision
    • Seminars
  • Calendar
  • Team
  • Join our database
  • Testimonials

Corporates

  • Corporate Overview
  • Services
    • Executive Coaching
    • Retreats
    • Team Workshops
    • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
  • Testimonials
  • Coaching Team

Contact us

Whatsapp

Latest update

  • 23/03/2023
  • Feelings, Thoughts, Habits & Behaviours, About Therapy

Why self-compassion is hard sometimes

  • 2.5 min