About Psychosynthesis
Psychosynthesis, (or Biopsychosynthesis, originally) developed by Roberto Assagioli (1888-1974) is an approach to psychology and psychotherapy that includes the transpersonal dimension. Often referred to as ‘psychology with soul’, the method is characterised by a non-dogmatic openness, and draws upon many of the world’s spiritual wisdom traditions for its model of human development and evolution. Its main focus is upon the ‘synthesis of the parts’ in order to create a whole, at the personal level, in relationships and within larger contexts.
Roberto Assagioli
Psychosynthesis methods can be applied at many levels, from that of the individual psyche, through organisational applications and upwards to the collective experience of the entire human family. In psychotherapy and counselling terms, Psychosynthesis takes two major forms – a personal psychosynthesis (often mapping experiences, wounds, primary events and traumas in a life, and moving towards a calm accepting centre, or self) and a transpersonal level (connecting with the ineffable ground of being, moving beyond the ‘small self’ into direct relationship with ‘all that is’). In my experience, whether implied or explicit, the modes of Psychosynthesis move across familiar psychological territories always including the heights and depths, neither judging nor rejecting of what is found along the way.
The chief techniques of the method, beyond the rhythms of regular conversation, include visualisation and active imagination work, amplification and identification exercises, dis-identification processes and a range of creative actions and expressions. Context is held to be vital, so the content of experience, whatever that is moment by moment, sits within a secure holding of experience itself. Psychosynthesis views a person as being more than just a physical body or a set of biochemical interactions, and is interested in health and wellbeing, not only pathology and symptoms.
The chief techniques of the method, beyond the rhythms of regular conversation, include visualisation and active imagination work, amplification and identification exercises, dis-identification processes and a range of creative actions and expressions. Context is held to be vital, so the content of experience, whatever that is moment by moment, sits within a secure holding of experience itself. Psychosynthesis views a person as being more than just a physical body or a set of biochemical interactions, and is interested in health and wellbeing, not only pathology and symptoms.
The Egg-Shaped Diagram
In my twelve or more years of practice so far I have worked with many issues, most familiar to psychotherapy and counselling of all stripes, for example; survivor issues, abuse, despair, hopelessness & depression, fear & anxiety, life transitions, loss & bereavement, spiritual crisis, relationships, anger, men’s issues & maleness, addiction & dependency, sex, gender & sexuality, stress, overwhelm and work issues. I have found Psychosynthesis to be an effective, adaptable and compassionate container for all these themes, and a dynamic way of engaging with life’s’ suffering, without editing out any parts of the experience or privileging any way of being.
As Assagioli said “There is no certainty; there is only adventure.”
As Assagioli said “There is no certainty; there is only adventure.”