In my last few articles, I provided a lot of methods for using spirituality in psychotherapy
practice.
The reasons why people go to therapy are vast, yet they all are, in some way, touched by spirituality.
But how do I know that spiritual education is not only effective but a vital part of psychotherapy practice? Why do I know this is a missing key within Western psychotherapy?
First, let me share some personal experiences. My therapeutic perspective is not solely founded on this. Basing practices only on personal anecdotes is risky at best within psychotherapy. I will also share some of my study and professional experiences that have also acted as my guide to the spiritual.
My Story in Brief
When I was nineteen I felt lost. I struggled with bulimia, undiagnosed bipolar and OCD. My brain was a mess and I also felt deeply worthless. Shame ruled my life for reasons I didn't yet understand. This was the first time I began to search for spiritual guidance. Initially, I found this within the Christian Baptist faith. At first, this was wonderful. It seemed to be the answer. The community acceptance felt incredible. The energy within the music felt healing. It resonated deeply as I began to integrate the faith into my life.
Unfortunately, for me, in my personal experience, there were aspects of the religion that I didn't resonate with. Slowly, I began to fall away from the community finding myself again lost and alone.
About five years passed before I found Yoga. I was in Florida and had just completed three months of treatment for bulimia. It was there that I first discovered Sivananda Yoga and the teachings of Eckhart Tolle, Wayne Dyer, Caroline Myss, and more.
This was the first time I'd ever considered Spirituality beyond Christianity. Previously I had felt guilt and fear if I held doubts about Jesus as the path to heaven. This was enormously healing for me because I felt permission to explore spirituality for myself beyond a religious institution.
Many years passed. The discovery of new spiritual perspectives did not solve the many issues I still had, however, it never left me. Regardless of my life situation or emotional pain, I turned to spirit for guidance.
In 2018 I had my first profound Kundilini awakening (or spiritual awakening). It was then that I learned of my Divine worth. Shame fell away and my perspective of life itself shifted suddenly and dramatically. Yet, my ego was not done with me and took the awakening hostage, misguiding me until life fell apart again in 2021.
You see, a Kundalini awakening requires the death of ego and the destruction of "self". Very few people have a single, sudden awakening. Most have multiple awakenings over time and within each one, the ego erodes a little more.
So How Did All of this Support My Mental Health?
Ego is the source of mental health issues. Spiritual education guides us to question the ego deterring us from following it blindly.
Spirituality teaches us that we are not our thoughts, that thoughts are a production of ego. If we open ourselves to the possibility that we are not our thoughts, our emotions, or even our physical bodies, this frees us, empowers us, enables us to discover our true authentic selves beyond mental illness, beyond trauma, beyond life itself.
**Note: I do not believe that spirituality or spiritual awakening alone alleviates mental illness. Mental illness is a complex issue. Since we live within this third-dimensional world we must also consider third-dimensional interventions, at times this means medication or other medical interventions alongside our spiritual beliefs and practices.
Beyond My Personal Experience
During my last year of graduate school, I interned in hospice and pediatric palliative care. During this time I also pursued spiritual education, I studied spirituality in social work practice and researched the impact of traumatic death on bereaved survivors. In every aspect of my study that year I witnessed how grief, death, and trauma were influenced by spiritual practice.
Those who have a strong spiritual belief system that is based on love and compassion are often able to find healing, acceptance, and meaning in life beyond loss. Those who do not are often left feeling afraid and haunted by their life experiences.
This is even more profound for those who are facing their own deaths. With no spiritual foundation, the dying can find themselves clinging to life, resisting the inevitable, and dying in a state of distress. Yet, those who have a firm spiritual belief system are more often able to find peace and acceptance as they live their lives until death.
During my early years as a psychotherapist, I had the privilege of working with Muslim refugees. I talked to families about their horrific experiences in refugee camps, their extensive losses, and their chronic states of trauma. Yet, many of the people I spoke with held their Muslim faith close to their hearts. They believed that all that happens in life is directed by Allah. The dead who returned to Him were blessed, relieved of this world and now offered a new life with the Divine.
This does not mean they did not suffer or live without profound grief. Of course, they did. Yet, their firm dedication to their faith gave them deep healing and a source of comfort that allowed them to continue living a life that felt meaningful.
To Wrap It Up...
I hope this helps you to further understand the importance of spirituality in psychotherapy. I'm glad to share my experience with you. You can find many more of my personal experiences throughout the archived articles in this blog.
There is so much to study within spiritual education, the mind-body-spirit, and spiritual therapy. In the future, I will put together a list of resources that may be interesting in your pursuit to integrate spirituality into your own life and the lives of your clients.
Sarah has a private practice in Halifax, MA. Her practice is founded in the spiritual. She also is certified in EMDR, Ayurvedic nutrition and a certified Yoga teacher. She uses many other therapies such as DBT, CBT and Narrative Therapy.
If you are interested in mentorship or supervision with Sarah, email her.
Sarah is currently hiring LCSW's licensed in Massachusetts. If you're interested in learning more, follow the link below.
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