How Psychosynthesis can provide a psycho-spiritual context & framework for challenging psychedelic experiences
In this thesis (accredited by Middlesex University) I explore how Psychosynthesis can provide a context & framework for preparing & integrating challenging psychedelic experiences. It received the Emma Stavrou MA Award 'for a thesis which advances clinical insight and academic perspective in the theory of Psychospiritual Psychology'. The thesis is then published by the Institute of Psychosynthesis in the latest edition ‘Monograph Series’ and ‘Volume of Essays’.
The West is missing a context that is broad enough to hold the psychedelic experience - this often leads to ontological shock amongst other difficulties. Psychosynthesis could provide a culturally neutral context & non-directive framework that could adequately hold such an experience; it makes room for the transpersonal whilst also being grounded in the psychological. Assagioli’s* work on Spiritual Emergency is widely recognised within Transpersonal Psychology - I discuss how his principles could apply to a challenging psychedelic experience. I also explore Psychosynthesis related tools, maps & models that could be helpful for the preparation and integration outside of a clinical or indigenous setting, where the support of an adequately trained therapist or a holistic community context may be missing.
*Psychosynthesis was founded by Italian psychiatrist Assagioli (1888-1974)
