Transpersonal psychotherapy
Transpersonal psychotherapy describes any form of counselling or psychotherapy which places emphasis on the transpersonal or spiritual aspects of the human experience.
As in psychosynthesis, the ultimate goal of transpersonal psychotherapy is not merely the alleviation of suffering, but the integration of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of the client's well-being. A life crisis is seen as an opportunity for a personal break-through and the achievement of self-actualisation.It includes the exploration and focus of the client's potential, and the development of inner resources and creativity. Although it focuses on spiritual self-development, it is an integrative approach with a variety of treatment methods (ranging form Humanistic, Gestalt and Existential to Jungian and Psychodynamic approaches).
Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy
Humanistic and integrative psychotherapy has its roots in humanistic philosophies and aims to work with a full range of influences to encourage the development of the individual, their relationship to others and to society.
Humanistic integrative psychotherapy relies upon relationship-based, dialogical and experiential methods, to facilitate the integration of affective, cognitive, behavioural, physiological, and the transpersonal dimensions of the individual. Both the client and the psychotherapist are actively engaged in shaping the processes of assessment, intervention and evaluation of outcomes. This approach stresses the importance of the individual's capacities for self-regulation, self-actualisation, responsibility and choice that underpin the process of change, and the psychotherapist works with the client to realise these potentials.
Humanistic and integrative psychotherapists also take into consideration, the impact of the external world upon the internal world of the client, to explore the significance of social, cultural and political realms, of experience.
Psychosynthesis
Psychosynthesis is an approach to psychology developed by Roberto Assagioli, MD. It is based on the inclusion of the past within the context of the awakening of the self. Psychosynthesis is considered an existential psychology with spiritual goals and concepts, and is sometimes described as "psychology of the soul".
Psychosynthesis aims to integrate or "synthesise" a higher, spiritual level of consciousness with the level at which thoughts and emotions are experienced. Through painting, movement, dream-work, creative imagination and other techniques, the different facets of the personality are recognised and valued. Assagioli used the term superconsciousness to describe the realm of the psyche that contains our highest potential, the source of our unique path of development. He believed that repression of this potential can lead to psychological disturbances as debilitating as repression of past childhood traumas. Assagioli insisted that psychosynthesis be included in the empirical understanding of psychology, and was careful to maintain a balance with rational and conscious therapeutic work, alongside the integration of the spiritual.
