Transpersonal Psychology and Social Work Education
Au-Deane S. Cowley, David S. Derezotes
Journal of Social Work Education 1994 DOI: 10.1080/10437797.1994.10672211 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Social work Transpersonal psychology Applied psychology Pedagogy Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 44 |
| Key points | Argues that social work education must incorporate transpersonal theory to address spiritual malaise and remain relevant in a postmodern world. |
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.