Transpersonal Psychology and Social Work Education

Social workers in the 1990s face unique practice challenges in a postmodern world at both micro and macro levels. Psychological services are reactive to social context, leading to evolving theories. Many contemporary practice challenges stem from spiritual dimension issues—termed 'spiritual malaise'—such as values deficits, moral apathy, existential despair, and spiritual emergencies. Transpersonal psychology is the only one of the four force theories that includes the spiritual dimension. To remain relevant, social work education must fill the curricular void by incorporating transpersonal theory into education and practice.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Social workers in the 1990s are facing a postmodern world, with unique practice challenges in both the micro and macro levels of practice. Because psychological services are reactive, serving the clients that come out of a particular social context, different theories have emerged over time to address the ills of the day. Many of the practice challenges for social work practitioners today are related to diseases of the spiritual dimension or what has been labeled “spiritual malaise,” including values deficits, moral apathy, existential despair, spiritual emergencies, and the like. Transpersonal psychology is the only one of the four force theories that includes the spiritual dimension. To remain relevant in a postmodern world, social work education must fill the current void in curricula by incorporating the comprehensive perspective of transpersonal theory into education and practice.