Transpersonal Therapy
Transpersonal means 'beyond the personal'. Transpersonal therapy thus involves all aspects of our experience – emotional, physical, mental and spiritual – in the therapy. The transpersonal school is pre-coccupied with exploring the less tangible and harder to define aspects of the human experience.
The aim of transpersonal therapy is to encourage personal growth, tap into creativity and deepen a sense of spirituality. Psychosynthesis therapy is within the transpersonal school, and other aligned therapies include existential therapy, Jungian therapy and gestalt therapy.
In transpersonal therapy, methods such as dreamwork, imagery, meditation, affirmations, journalling and body awareness exercises are commonly used.
Transpersonal therapy developed partly as a result of the work of Abraham Maslow in the 1960s. He described transpersonal thought as the fourth force in psychology (following psychoanalytic, behaviourism and humanistic).
A transpersonal therapist aims to meet their client with curiosity and open-mindednesses. Both therapist and client aim to be open, authentic, and present to assist the explorative nature of therapy.
What can transpersonal psychotherapy help with?
- Living authentically
- Spiritual exploration
- Creativity
- Existential concerns
- Anxiety
- Feeling disconnected
- Improving self-worth
- Improving self-reflection skills
- Finding meaning
- Depression
Transpersonal psychotherapist Elizabeth Blaise talks to Welldoing at the Life Lessons Festival
Training as a transpersonal therapist
There are both diploma and Master's level qualifications available in transpersonal therapy, and so training will take usually between three and five years.
Many therapists may integrate some elements of transactional analysis thought into their integrative practices.
All therapists on Welldoing are verified annually as members of reputable professional associations to ensure a high standard of training.
Relevant organisations
Last updated August 22 2024
What is psychosynthesis?
What is Jungian therapy?
What is existential therapy?
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