Holotropic breathwork: An experiential approach to psychotherapy.

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between the use ofHolotropic Breathwork and therapeutic changes in levels of distress associated with selfidentified problems, death anxiety, selfesteem, and sense of affiliation with others. Two groups of 24 subjects were compared using a repeated measures design. One group participated in a combination of experientially oriented psychotherapy plus six monthly sessions ofHolotropic Breathwork (Breathwork Group); the second group participated only in experientially oriented psychotherapy (Therapy Group). Dependent measures were Templer's Death Anxiety Scale, the Abasement and Affiliation subscales of the Personality Research Form-E, and a questionnaire regarding self-identified problems. The Breathwork Group showed significant reductions in death anxiety and increases in self-esteem compared to the Therapy Group. No significant differences were observed between groups on affiliation or self-identified problems. Results suggest that experiential approaches to psychotherapy may be useful in

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

• State of the evidence: Breathwork ↑Supports

  Adding six monthly Holotropic Breathwork sessions to experiential psychotherapy significantly reduced death anxiety and increased self-esteem compared with psychotherapy alone, with no differences in affiliation or self-identified problems.

  Synthesized October 25, 2026