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Investigating how the meanings of spirituality develop among accredited counsellors when practicing a new shamanic energy therapy technique.

Ward, Karen (2019) Investigating how the meanings of spirituality develop among accredited counsellors when practicing a new shamanic energy therapy technique. PhD thesis, Dublin City University.

Abstract
Both in Ireland and internationally, counselling has become increasingly popular as a means to redress life issues and learn new behaviours designed to sustain the optimum changes made mentally and emotionally during treatment. However, many find this approach somewhat limiting if seeking a connection with their personal spirituality (Cooper & McLeod, 2011). Counsellors aware of this trend are conscious of addressing this issue and how it may affect their own sense of spirituality. This research was devised to answer that fundamental question while using an energetic/spiritual tool within their client work. One of the emerging paradigms in counselling is that of shamanism (Wilber, 2001). This indigenous holistic way engages at the energetic level and has an established body of scientific research (MacKinnon, 2012) allowing positive intervention to promote health outcomes (Levin, 2011). The Energy Therapy Technique used in the research enabled the counsellors to incorporate their own spiritual meanings while offering their clients an inclusive way to tap into theirs during a clinic session. The methodology was Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and the findings indicate that counsellors’ meanings of spirituality developed with major and minor changes. A new paradigm of trust ushered a palpable divine presence of Spirit into the clinic room bringing empowered awakening to the counsellors of their own volition. The ability to easily facilitate their clients tap into their sense of spirituality and self-heal were key components of their developments. A dearth of spiritual tools and lack of training with consequent implications for supervision indicates scope for further research. This unique and original work within the biopsychospiritual field cultivates new ground within this sphere providing new theoretical and practical insights in an Irish context
Metadata
Item Type:Thesis (PhD)
Date of Award:March 2019
Refereed:No
Supervisor(s):Mac Gabhann, Liam and Moane, Ger
Uncontrolled Keywords:Psychotherapy AND Spirituality
Subjects:UNSPECIFIED
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Nursing and Human Sciences
Use License:This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. View License
ID Code:22914
Deposited On:10 Apr 2019 13:02 by Liam Macgabhann . Last Modified 10 Apr 2019 13:02
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