What Is Transpersonal Therapy

Christina Manfredi

Psychological Counsellor; Existential, Gestalt, Somatic & Transpersonal Psychotherapist

Transpersonal Psychotherapy originally came into recognition in the West in the 1960’s as a therapy that was regarded as the “fourth force” in psychology. It was specifically referred to as the “fourth force” as it was a therapy that was inclusive of the human spirit, experiences of spirituality, mysticism, religious experiences, the dimensions of consciousness/non ordinary states of consciousness, and ego focused psychology. The inclusiveness of the human spirit, spirituality, religion, the perennial philosophies and spiritual traditions, and consciousness research beyond the ego, therefore differentiated Transpersonal Psychotherapy from the first three theoretical orientations to psychology that included Psychoanalysis, Behavioural Psychology, and Humanism. This fourth force of psychology and psychotherapy is currently gaining more credibility. There is a growing acceptance that a psychological method devoid of a transpersonal understanding is like standing on one leg, limiting, and diminishing to the understanding of our true full human nature.

Transpersonal Psychotherapy differentiates between Spirituality, and Religion. Whilst organised religion is imbued with spiritual meaning, a person’s spiritual experiences may be completely separate from any religious faith. Smith in “The Tablet” (1996) clarifies the distinction of spirituality and religion as:

“Spirituality is the dimension of our being related to the physical and psychological dimension which gives our life meaning and calls us towards our higher self usually expressed as some form of relationship with a Divine being”.

My suggestion is that this would also include a relationship with an intelligent creative Universe/Spirit that lives within, between, and around us as stated by Martin Buber, and a feeling of unity with Life.

“Religion (stated by Smith: 1996) is a particular framework…which includes a belief structure, a moral code, an authority structure and a form of worship, within which people find nourishment for the spiritual dimension of their lives”.

The distinction between spirituality and religion is an important distinction in Transpersonal Psychotherapy, as many individuals regularly encounter spiritual and mystical experiences outside of any religious order. For example a spiritual experience may happen in a moment of bitting into a fresh crisp apple where for a moment time appears to stand still and a feeling of unity emerges in the eternal present and pure identification with ego identity is transcended, it may happen through present moment connection with another where all separation is eliminated and the uniqueness of the other is confirmed, in mediation, dance giving rise to moments of union and ecstasy, holotropic breath work, moments of ‘enlightenment’, surfing/swimming, fasting, running, deep relaxation, and prayer. There are numerous ways in which a spiritual experience can emerge that is often deeply meaningful and healing for an individual.

“One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of Light,
but by making the darkness conscious”

– Carl Jung

The fore-mentioned and immediately below quotes by Carl Jung a recognised leader in the field of Transpersonal Psychology brings attention to the importance of therapy as a process of the revealing the dynamics of the unconscious to awareness for integration and wholeness. Spirituality from this perspective is not purely about transcendence of ego identity, it is also a process of becoming fully authentically integrated and expressing our humane authenticity with an awareness of our impact upon the world. By taking responsibility of our darkness, shadow (disowned aspects of the self), we make our darkness light. In this way we bring our authentic humane spiritual light/enlightenment to the world.

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are”

– Carl Jung

Stanley Grof, a contemporary figure in the Transpersonal movement, states that the transpersonal experience “involve an expansion or extension of consciousness beyond the usual boundaries and the limitations of time and/or space”; and therefore beyond ego personality functioning. Grof has devoted his professional life to understanding the nature of spiritual experiences, and non ordinary states of consciousness in holotropic psychotherapy, and breath work.

Walsh & Vaughan (1993) define the transpersonal phenomena or experience further as “the sense of identity of self extends beyond (‘trans) the individual or personality to encompass wider aspects of humankind, life, psyche, or cosmos”. Here again we see reference to an expanded feeling of unity, interconnectedness, and a sense of identity that is expanded beyond the ego. The ego is the part of us that has been conditioned by culture, society, and family, and forms our everyday habituated personality.

Transpersonal Psychotherapy starts from the premise that views the human psyche as having an Essential Self/Essence, and consciousness that is connected to and part of the nature of the infinite unitive universe/cosmos. There is no separation, and because there is no separation many experiences arise that are not solely within the domain of our rational cognitive functioning.
From this perspective consciousness is regarded as not purely a brain process, but it is a broader inter-related field process, and non local to time or space, that does involve the brain and human nervous system and yet is beyond the physical brain. This rests upon the theory that consciousness and spirit pervade all of life as an intelligent force of creation involving atoms, molecules, quarks, superstring vibrations, and preons all inter-related and communicating. This understanding of the transpersonal is not separated from up to-date science, rather contemporary science is confirming this.
The scientific research untaken by Bohm’s theory of Wholeness and Implicate Order findings, Field Theory, and research in non-local consciousness, along with research in ancient wisdom and spiritual approaches are all implicit in a Transpersonal Psychotherapy approach.

In fundamentally acknowledging the significant role of the human spirit and consciousness in supporting the healing of human distress, transpersonal psychotherapy and psychology explores experiences of non ordinary states of consciousness/Being, the processes of the unconscious and non conscious, near death experiences, mystical, religious, and paranormal experiences, visions and dreams, synchronistic experiences, deeper intuitions, archetypal patterns, transgenerational experiences, and past lives. It has also investigates meditation, shamanic journeying, prayer, contemplative practices, vision questing, active imagination, distant healing, consciousness and biology of beliefs, hypnosis, and exceptional human abilities.

Fundamentally as previously stated, an understanding of the spectrums of awareness, the perennial teachings of consciousness, unconscious, non ordinary, and non dual states of consciousness, and Holotropic states  are central to Transpersonal Psychotherapy. The works and teachings of Carl Jung, Stanislav Grof, and time honoured spiritual, religious, and mystical traditions are most prominent in this area.

“When an inner situation is not made conscious
it appears outside as fate”

– Carl Jung

At the Fremantle Counselling & Psychological Services, and Existential, Transpersonal, and Gestalt Therapy Centre we particularly therapeutically influenced by the work of Carl Jung, Martin Buber, Stanislav Grof, William James, Roberto Assagioli, Victor Frankl, Abraham Maslow, Stanley Krippner, Charles Tart, Rollo May, Irvin Yalom, Fritz Perls, Ernesto Spinelli, Aldou Huxley,  Bugental, Kirk Schneider, Krishnamurti, and the ancient wisdom of shamanism.
In conclusion, at the heart of a Transpersonal Psychotherapy practice is integration of time honoured spiritual wisdom practices and experiences, with the latest science of consciousness, the unconscious, non ordinary and non dual states of consciousness, and psychology. Transpersonal Psychotherapy is a holistic encompassing approach to our humanity. It respects the multifaceted aspects of our experiences, many of which some people find difficult to speak about in conventional psychological therapy. Our professionally trained Transpersonal Therapists can offer a facilitated exploration of your essential nature, your broader consciousness and spiritual experiences with a deep understanding, integration, and without judgement.

“Meaning In Life is limited and unsustainable without
reaching out for something greater and higher than self interest”

– Paul T. P. Wong

Buber, M. (1970). I and thou (W. Kaufmann, Trans.) New York: Scribner’s.

Bohm, D (1980) Wholeness and Implicate Order: Routledge & Kegan; New York

Grof, S: online @ www.stanislavgrof.com

Jung, C:  The Collected Works of Carl G Jung (20 Volumes)

Keutzer (1982) Physics and Consciousness: Journal of Humanistic Psychology Vol.22

Porter, S. E, & Hayes, M, & Tombs, D (2001) Faith In The Millennium

Smith, A (1996) cited in Porter, S. E, & Hayes, M, & Tombs, D (2001) Faith In The Mellennium

Walsh, R and F. Vaughan (1993) Paths Beyond Ego: The Transpersonal Vision

Walsh, R and F. Vaughan (1993). On transpersonal definitions. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology. Vol. 25, No2, pp. 199-207

Article Writer: Christina Manfredi