“There is no certainty — there is only adventure” – Assagioli

Psychosynthesis is often referred to as Psychology with a Soul. It is a type of transpersonal psychotherapy that offers a comprehensive model and approach to personal development and self-realisation. Developed by Dr Robert Assagioli in the early 1900’s, it focuses on various levels of consciousness to address the conflicts within us and help us discover our true potential, which in turn helps us to lead a healthier, more balanced life. It helps us to know more about ourselves and our lives and how to deal with our inner struggles and conflicts such as trauma, anxiety, depression etc. In fact it is often remarked that Psychosynthesis goes far beyond where many therapies finish.

The tacit promises that Psychosynthesis Counselling carries* are to:

• find our individuality and affirm that identity as unique
• express ourselves as autonomous, independent beings
• love and be loved
• become masters [or submissives] of our own lives (parentheses mine)

and more deeply, it promises…

• to provide a sense of belonging to a larger whole, of being more than an isolated individual
• unity and a sense of being one with self and others
• to reveal meaning and purpose in life
• a transcendence of individuality and existential identity
• to answer a deep yearning for life’s potential for beauty and goodness

*Whitmore, D (2004) – Psychosynthesis Counselling in Action. Sage Publications, London p64.

What makes Psychosynthesis unique are the integrated, experiental and creative techniques that are used to address both the materialistic and spiritual world of the individual and how they ‘fit’ into the world. Some of the effective methods adopted in Psychosynthesis therapy and counselling include:

• Open Dialogue
• Focused attention, Reflective, Creative, Heart-centred and Mindfulness Meditation
• Self-identification, Disidentification and Subpersonality Work
• Active Imagination, Free Drawing & Symbolic Artwork
• Gestalt Techniques
• Guided Visualisation & Imagery work
• Working with Sub Personalities & Archetypes
• Story Telling and Journal Keeping
• Dream Awareness
• Body Movement
• Psychodrama
• Development of Will, Intuition and Ideal Life Models

Psychosynthesis involves a holistic approach that reinforces strength and positivity in the inner personalities that express themselves in the outside world. The emphasis is on fostering an on-going process of growth that can gain momentum and bring a more joyful and balanced actualization to our lives.

A SYNTHESIS OF MANY TRADITIONS

Any comprehensive psychological and educational approach to the development of the whole person must draw from many traditions.  While Eastern disciplines often have tended to emphasize the spiritual side of being, Western approaches usually have focused on the personality level.  But humanity must be viewed as a whole and each aspect accorded  its due importance.  Psychosynthesis recognizes that we have a transpersonal essence, and at the same time holds that the individual’s purpose in life is to manifest this essence, or Self, as fully as possible in the world of everyday personal and social existence. It is often referred to as the psychology of soul and spirit because it involves addressing human aspirations, creative insight and intuition. It shifts the focus of attention from the external world to the world within.

It recognises and seeks to strengthen your I-Self connection, works with subpersonalities and holds bi-focal vision to observe what is unfolding. (If you’d like to explore further what each of those terms means, then just click the relevant link).

Psychosynthesis actually provides a new pathway for self-realisation in keeping with the hypotheses and methods of new science but based on action and direct responsibility:

“Life passes through our hands and each of us takes control of it, accepting the present as the inevitable corollary of the past, and conscious of the fact that at any given moment, we are shaping the future”*

*Assagioli, R (1993) – Transpersonal Psychology: The Dimension Beyond Psychosynthesis. The Aquarian Press, London p11

You can read more about Psychosynthesis here and here.