What is Transpersonal Counseling?
Friedman and Hartelius, authors of the Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Transpersonal Psychotherapy define this modality of therapy as, “transpersonal psychology examines the phenomena of psyche as elements that belong not merely to the ego, but to larger contexts as well: the living body in its entirety, the therapeutic relationship, the social and ecological situation, or the greater-than-human matrix of existence”.
Transpersonal psychotherapy focuses on the spiritual or transcendent aspects of human experience. It is an integrative approach that draws from various psychological theories and practices such as Gestalt, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Psychotherapy, and Jungian and Humanistic approaches, respectively, as well as from spiritual traditions and practices.
The goal of transpersonal psychotherapy is to help individuals develop a greater sense of wholeness, purpose, and meaning in their lives, by exploring the deeper dimensions of their psyche, including their spiritual and mystical experiences.
Transpersonal psychotherapy typically involves practices such as meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, dreamwork, and other contemplative practices, as well as dialogue and exploration of personal narratives and life experiences.
Some of the key principles of transpersonal psychotherapy include:
Acknowledging and honoring the spiritual or transcendent dimensions of human experience
Recognizing the interconnectedness and interdependence of all things
Fostering a sense of compassion and empathy towards oneself and others
Encouraging the exploration and integration of personal shadow material
Facilitating personal growth and transformation through experiential practices and spiritual inquiry
Overall, transpersonal psychotherapy offers a holistic and integrative approach to therapy that can be helpful for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of themselves and their place in the world, as well as for those seeking to heal from past trauma, anxiety, depression, or other psychological or emotional challenges.
“The movement of descent and discovery begins at the moment you consciously become dissatisfied with life. Contrary to most professional opinion, this gnawing dissatisfaction with life is not a sign of "mental illness," nor an indication of poor social adjustment, nor a character disorder. For concealed within this basic unhappiness with life and existence is the embryo of a growing intelligence, a special intelligence usually buried under the immense weight of social shams. A person who is beginning to sense the suffering of life is, at the same time, beginning to awaken to deeper realities, truer realities. For suffering smashes to pieces the complacency of our normal fictions about reality, and forces us to become alive in a special sense—to see carefully, to feel deeply, to touch ourselves and our worlds in ways we have heretofore avoided. It has been said, and truly I think, that suffering is the first grace. In a special sense, suffering is almost a time of rejoicing, for it marks the birth of creative insight.”
- Ken Wilber