The Hero’s Journey model developed by Joseph Campbell identifies common patterns of responding to change found in stories from cultures around the world. This lecture outlines the 12 steps of the Hero’s Journey and shows how the framework can be applied to navigating life’s transitions.
Blending ancient wisdom with insights from modern psychology, the presentation offers a strength-based and engaging approach to understanding change. The Hero’s Journey provides a flexible but structured model that helps individuals recognize where they are in the process of transition and discover tools for moving forward with clarity and hope.
Life transitions occur from birth to death and everything in between. Many involve both internal experiences and external change. Common transitions include developmental stages, responding to social challenges, managing finances, starting school or college, entering the workforce, changing careers, moving, marriage or divorce, becoming parents or grandparents, health challenges, retirement and coping with death or non-death loss.
By exploring the three main phases and 12 steps of the Hero’s Journey, this lecture helps participants reflect on past transitions, better understand the challenges they face in the present and prepare for changes that lie ahead.
Greg Crosby, MA, LPC, CGP, AGPA-F, is a practicing therapist, trainer, teacher and consultant. For more than 25 years he served as Clinical Regional Group Coordinator for Kaiser Permanente in Oregon and Washington. He maintains a private practice focused on supervision and adult ADHD and has held faculty appointments at Portland State University, Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling, Oregon Health & Science University and Marylhurst University in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Crosby has been connected to Lakeside Chautauqua since the age of four and worked at Lakeside for four summers. He believes the community offers a powerful place to reflect on one’s life journey. Since 1985 he has applied the Hero’s Journey framework in his clinical work and has presented lectures and workshops nationally and internationally on topics including depression, anxiety, ADHD, COVID-19, Star Wars, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and navigating life transitions.
