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Utilizing hermeneutic and alchemical hermeneutic methodologies, this thesis explores the potential of love in psychotherapy for alleviating suffering in the client. The definitions of and relationship between suffering and love are examined through the lenses of spirituality, principally Yogic, and psychotherapy, specifically the theories of Freud, Jung, and Rogers. Commonalities of the two traditions emerge, united through essential qualities of love: relationship, awareness, acceptance, and oneness. Psychotherapy is revealed as a system of love that alleviates suffering. These findings illuminate the need to integrate spirituality and psychotherapy and emphasize the importance of each individual’s inner journey of self-realization. A five-step psychospiritual method of love for alleviating suffering is presented for practice individually and therapeutically. The steps—awareness, acceptance, being, energy, and doing—guide the reader through important concepts such as soul, ego, fear, unconscious, defense mechanisms, archetypes, pain, pleasure, emotions, core conditions, presence, self-actualizing tendency, intuition, compassion, and individuation.
Advisor: | Boyd, Barbara |
Commitee: | Jacobson, Gioia |
School: | Pacifica Graduate Institute |
Department: | Counseling Psychology |
School Location: | United States -- California |
Source: | MAI 81/8(E), Masters Abstracts International |
Source Type: | DISSERTATION |
Subjects: | Counseling Psychology, Spirituality, Therapy |
Keywords: | Defense Mechanisms, Integration, Love, Psychotherapy, Spirituality, Suffering |
Publication Number: | 27738207 |
ISBN: | 9781658410700 |