Changing the Sense of Self Through Ritual: Psycheritual as a Psychotherapeutic Intervention

Abstract

This paper will show the results of a study into the experience of using ritual in contemporary psychotherapy*. Dr. Kress and Kerr have named this experience psycheritual as it is relevant for psychotherapy work and is a form of transition ritual which has transformative properties. Psycheritual can be defined as: an intentional act of communication between the conscious and the unconscious, where symbolic objects or actions are used to represent and/or to affect the psychic world, and where a close connection between the body and the mind is required. In this qualitative study we will illustrate how the ancient art of ritual can be successfully imple-mented in the modern discipline of psychotherapy, particularly in the process of changing the sense of self; and that indeed, psychotherapy itself already contains many elements that are generally associated with ritual. Our theoretical background is based in Transpersonal Psychotherapy, and we will also refer to an-cient and indigenous understandings that have been drawn together into the practice of contempo-rary Shamanism. To put the results of this study in context, we will start our exploration with a brief review of the Transpersonal and Shamanic worldviews, and then proceed to examine how ritual already plays a part in both these traditions. KEY WORDS Psychoyherapy, rituals, Self