Transpersonal Psychotherapies
Jenny Wade, Phyllis Alongi, Jacqueline Hermida
Wiley eBooks August 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/9781394215683.ch30 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that transpersonal psychotherapy is distinguished by its grounding in spiritual unfolding, its focus on consciousness, and its aim of psycho-spiritual transformation beyond the self. It contends that such therapies validate exceptional human experiences, including peak experiences and psi phenomena, rather than pathologizing them, and that many modalities deliberately invoke altered states of consciousness. |
Abstract
This chapter explores the distinguishing features of transpersonal psychotherapy. Transpersonal psychotherapy occurs in a context of spiritual unfolding, holds consciousness as central to the process, works in multiple dimensions, and focuses on psycho-spiritual transformation beyond the healing and growth of the self. It is the therapeutic clinical application of ordinary and non-ordinary states of consciousness to address the ego and beyond-ego structures to catalyze transformation of the whole person. Transpersonal psychotherapies validate rather than pathologize a range of exceptional human experiences, including peak experiences and psi phenomena, and many modalities deliberately invoke altered states of consciousness as part of the therapeutic process. Dream work, Jungian analysis, sandplay therapy, regression therapy, hypnotherapy, guided imagery therapy, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy are just some of the many transpersonal approaches to psychotherapy.