Counselling and Psychotherapy Research
March 1, 2002
Lynda Ankrah
20 citations
People from diverse cultural backgrounds often do not separate physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of illness, and may accept hearing voices or seeing visions as normal. This exploratory study surveyed individuals who had been in counselling relationships and interviewed three informants about their spiritual experiences. All respondents reported experiencing at least one 'non-ordinary' state classified as a 'spiritual emergency' by Stanislav Grof. Some participants felt unable to discuss these experiences with their counsellors, fearing being labeled mentally ill, while others found counsellors helpful. Differences in handling spiritual phenomena emerged between European and non-European participants.
Counselling and Psychotherapy Research
January 1, 2025
Seán Kinahan, Elizabeth Wilson
3 citations
Counsellors at various career stages see psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) as likely to become a professional part of psychotherapy. Therapists raised concerns about safety, the therapeutic relationship, ownership, and professionalization. They already show awareness, interest, and a sense that PAT will inevitably be integrated into the field. While safety worries are understandable, growing research and harm-reduction guidelines offer opportunities for psychotherapy bodies to lead, ensuring PAT is grounded in research, ethics, and respect for its Indigenous origins.
Counselling and Psychotherapy Research
March 2, 2023
Atsuko Kawakami, Masako Suzuki
1 citation
Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic plant used in South American ceremonies, is gaining popularity in Western therapy, but its social context is often overlooked. Combining micro-level effects (physiological and psychological) with macro-level issues (cultural appropriation), an autoethnographic case study highlights risks: individuals may have intrapsychic experiences that deter them from seeking proper treatment, and popularity without contextual understanding can be problematic. The authors suggest a metacognitive counseling approach for both clients and therapists to integrate indigenous methods effectively, though larger studies are needed to support this recommendation.
Counselling and Psychotherapy Research
September 25, 2024
Siobhan Scanlon, Gráinne Donohue
Therapists delivering psychedelic therapy need clear protocols and preparation, as the practice differs markedly from standard psychotherapy. Interviews with six therapists working in clinical or retreat settings revealed three themes: preparation is crucial for effective outcomes, psychedelic therapy requires a different therapeutic stance than standard practice, and the work carries significant personal and professional implications for therapists. The findings highlight challenges and underscore the need for integrating psychedelics into psychotherapy with structured guidelines.