Psychotherapists’ altered states of consciousness
Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology – October 15, 2020
Source: CrossRef
Summary
During therapy sessions, practitioners sometimes experience profound shifts in consciousness while deeply connecting with clients. These powerful moments occur when therapists remain fully present and open to their clients' essence. Research with both experienced therapists and advanced students found these altered states enhanced healing outcomes and fostered professional growth. The intense experiences strengthened therapeutic relationships and improved treatment effectiveness.
Abstract
The majority of research that has been conducted around counselling and psychotherapy has been directed towards the evaluation of client outcome and client experience. Studies concentrated solely on therapist experience during the therapeutic encounter are largely in the minority. The purpose of this study was to explicate a deeper understanding of the unusual and unforgettable events that led to dramatic shifts in consciousness experienced by some counsellors and psychotherapists during the therapeutic hour. A study group of six participants was assembled via open invitation. The group comprised of three student counsellors nearing the end of their studies and three qualified therapists of varying degrees of experience. A semi-structured interview process provided transcriptions of the participant experiences, and an interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted. This study found that the willingness to be open to the presence and essence of another, on both sides of the therapeutic dyad, had the potential to contribute to the intense, powerful and profound experiences arising in the therapist. In all cases, the unusual events and altered states led to the deepening of the healing potential within the therapy whilst simultaneously providing developmental propulsion for each practitioner.