Making Meaning of Psychotherapists’ Experiences of the Transpersonal Component of Psychotherapy for Suicidal Behaviour – A Narrative Inquiry
Suicide is a major public health concern in Ireland. In 2012, there were 525 deaths by suicide (1). Ten people die by suicide in Ireland every week and of those, eight are men (2).
This narrative study explores whether transpersonal psychotherapy, which treats the whole person, mind, body, emotions and spirit is an effective treatment for suicidal behaviour. Traditional psychotherapy approaches do not explicitly address spirituality in current treatment. If psychotherapy does not address the spiritual aspect of the person, it does not create the space for a client to connect with their inner spiritual self, which is their deepest, inner being. This study interprets and makes meaning of six therapists’ stories of their experience of the transpersonal component as treatment for suicidal clients. Narrative inquiry and a critical event approach enabled exploration of transpersonal psychotherapy from therapists’ inner emotional experience.
This study found that the transpersonal psychotherapy facilitated suicidal clients to explore their spirituality i.e. what is their meaning and purpose in life, what brings a sense of connectedness and wholeness. Transpersonal psychotherapy addresses both the spiritual and psychological health of the client and considers their suicidal behaviour from both perspectives. Transpersonal experiences in psychotherapy have transformative potential. In these moments, the therapist and client experience an expanded state of consciousness and feel a sense of presence of oneness. Such altered awareness, beyond cognitive or emotional awareness, helped clients recognise that though they are separate from they are connected to others, and part of something greater. This brought new insights to clients regarding their ambivalence toward life and death. Therapists shared how transpersonal psychotherapy facilitates clients to connect with their spiritual wisdom, which can guide clients’ choices in life and reach their full potential as a whole person or “fully embodied authenticity” (3).
Treatments for suicidal behaviour are challenging. “At the deepest level, this work is of a spiritual nature”(4). The findings of this study suggest that transpersonal psychotherapy should be considered as a treatment for suicidal behaviour. Transpersonal psychotherapy facilitates clients to discover meaning in the life-crisis and to transcend their past and current experiences.
References
1. Central Statistics Office 2012. Vital Statistics Fourth Quarter and Yearly Summary, Department of Social Protection, Skehard Road Cork. No. 592.
2. Gartland, F.2013. Rural isolation and recession linked to growth in suicide rate. Irish Times
3. Guyer, P.A. 2010. Suicidal Crisis and Life-Threatening Illness: A Narrative Inquiry. Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in East-West Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies.
4. Browne, I. 2013. The Writings of Ivor Browne. Cork: Atrium.
Hilda Cullinane