Psychosynthesis: A Foundational Bridge Between Psychology and Spirituality.

Psychosynthesis, a transpersonal psychology and therapeutic approach, offers a model of human personality where psychological and spiritual perspectives converge. This article explores psychosynthesis as a theoretical framework for pastoral psychology. It works with clients' will and cultivates relationships on intrapersonal, interpersonal, and Higher Self levels, including a superconscious plane for higher values. Qualitative findings show psychosynthesis counseling helped awaken spirituality in three out of eleven clients who formerly identified as atheists, and all eleven clients attained personal growth. The counselor describes her experience as a Christian in the therapeutic setting. The framework is viable for incorporating spiritual growth into a psychological working model.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Pastoral psychologists have long tried to establish a working model that encompasses the seemingly conflicting disciplines of science and religion. Psychosynthesis, a transpersonal psychology and therapeutic approach, offers such a model of the human personality, in which the psychological and spiritual perspectives can converge. This article explores psychosynthesis psychology and therapy as a theoretical framework for pastoral psychology. Although psychosynthesis psychotherapy relies on an array of techniques, it fundamentally works with the clients' will while emphasizing, exploring, and cultivating their relationships on all levels-intrapersonal, interpersonal, and with the Higher Self. In addition to the subconscious, psychosynthesis includes a higher psychological plane, called the superconscious, from which our higher ethical, aesthetic, scientific, and spiritual values are derived. This article begins by introducing psychosynthesis concepts and techniques. It then provides qualitative findings showing that psychosynthesis counseling helped to awaken spirituality in three out of eleven clients who had formerly identified themselves as atheists. In addition, testimonies are included that show that psychosynthesis counseling also helped all eleven clients to attain personal growth. Finally, the counselor describes her experience of psychosynthesis as a Christian in the therapeutic setting. The framework of psychosynthesis psychology and its techniques are viable methodologies for anyone searching to incorporate spiritual growth into a psychological working model.