The Altered States of Consciousness in Transpersonal Approach Psychotherapy: Systematic Review and Guidelines for Research and Clinical Practice.
Milena Nardini-Bubols, Daniele Silva Da Silva, Andrea Dos Santos-Silva, Olivia Kacey Stagnaro, Tatiana Quarti Irigaray, Letícia Oliveira Alminhana
Journal of Religion and Health December 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-019-00855-1 (opens in new tab)
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Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 14 |
| Population | Adults, mostly women |
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Keywords | Psychotherapy Transpersonal psychology |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key findings | Incorporating altered states of consciousness or transpersonal approaches into psychotherapy may improve treatment for substance use disorder, increase relaxation, and relieve physical pain. |
Abstract
Transpersonal approach in psychotherapy is a controversial field, and there is a lack in scientific information. A search of Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO and SciELO databases using: ["Altered states of consciousness" AND "Psychotherapy"] and ["Transpersonal" AND "Psychotherapy"] in December 2017 was conducted. From 629 articles found, 14 empirical studies were analyzed. Studies were conducted with adults, most of them women. The benefits were improvement in the treatment of substance use disorder; increased sensation of relaxation, relief of physical pain. Future studies should have rigorous experimental designs; define concepts clearly; detail the method used; present clear guidelines for the ethical boundaries.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The role of non-ordinary states of consciousness occasioned by mind-body practices in mental health illness. | 2023 | Systematic review | |
| Anomalous Cognition: An Umbrella Review of the Meta-Analytic Evidence | 2022 | Systematic review | |
| The Induction of Dissociative States: A Meta-Analysis. Individuals from clinical and nonclinical samples | 2025 | Meta-analysis | n = 6,692 |
| Ketamine-induced altered states of consciousness: a systematic review of implications for therapeutic outcomes in psychiatric practices. Patients with mood disorders (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder), substance... | 2024 | Systematic review | n = 29 |
| Measuring Altered States of Consciousness in Virtual Reality: A Systematic Analysis of Assessment Methods | 2026 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- The role of non-ordinary states of consciousness occasioned by mind-body practices in mental health illness. Journal of Affective Disorders August 15, 2023
- Transpersonal psychology: theoretical and methodological foundations, phenomenology of consciousness, and contemporary perspectives Academic Visions September 30, 2026
- The conceptual framework for the therapeutic approach used in phase 3 trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. Frontiers in Psychology 2024
- Psychotherapists’ altered states of consciousness Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology October 15, 2020
Cites 19
- Altered States of Consciousness Archives of General Psychiatry September 1, 1966
- Psychobiology of Altered States of Consciousness. Psychological Bulletin 2005
- Varieties of anomalous experience: Examining the scientific evidence. American Psychological Association eBooks 2000
- Brain changes during a shamanic trance: Altered modes of consciousness, hemispheric laterality, and systemic psychobiology Cogent Psychology April 24, 2017
- Transpersonal Psychology as a Scientific Field International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 2002
and 14 more in the library