Within the Financial Planning profession there has been growing recognition that a fundamental understanding of human psychology may be beneficial to our work. Our client’s behaviors related to the money issues in their lives often stem from experiences in their youth, and the client may be unaware of how these long-embedded attitudes and expectations influence their current behaviors. These money forces may be powerful subconscious drivers, impacting decision making, comfort with money, self-definitions of success, ability to relate to risks, and ultimately the ability to live at peace with the myriad of money issues that life presents. While on my own journey studying these topics, I’ve had the pleasure of discovering Judith Barr and learning about her work and theories, which Judith has developed through her experience as a practicing psychotherapist working with many people exploring their own money relationships at a deep level. I encourage my professional financial planning colleagues to become familiar with Judith’s writings, and with the insights that she shares.

Should you have the opportunity to meet Judith or to see her present, you will undoubtedly be pondering the ideas that she shares for weeks following. You may find that in your work serving clients, that you will gain new ways to understand some of the messages that clients relate to you, perhaps helping you better frame your conversations with clients in terms that may help them make wiser decisions, more in touch with their inner, less revealed motivations.