The Awakened Therapist
The Awakened Therapist
Devin Green, PhD Candidate
Saybrook University
ABSTRACT
From the moment that I took my first Psychology course in high school, I knew that I was on the exact path that I was destined to be on. I knew early on that my purpose was to shape the world through healing but had no idea on how to do so exactly. I blindly followed the laid-out steps to becoming a therapist, which included limited exposure to the various treatment modalities and years of collecting hours in clinical settings that were dictated by county contracts and funding.
Today, I stand at the final step before becoming fully licensed and despite my years of training and experience, I still feel that I need more to embody the extraordinary healer that I had in mind when pursuing this career. I see now that the change that I wanted to offer the world, all starts within the therapeutic realm. It will take completely rewriting what the therapeutic alliance is for me and the future therapist that I plan to supervise. It is our responsibility as healers to possess and master access to Emotional Intelligence, Non-Verbal Synchrony and Spiritual Resonance to do so. This paper will not only serve as a guide to ensure that these qualities are incorporated for future practices, but also as a written statement of accountability for myself as well. Doing so will hopefully at least begin to reshape the world of therapy or even shed light on the traditional systems in place, that are no longer in alignment with the advancement of the inner healer within each one of us. By redefining what it means to be in true therapeutic alliance with our clients.
THERAPY TODAY
If you were to log into PyschologyToday right now, you will find a plethora of therapist in your area that offer the usual cocktail of approaches: CBT, DBT, Attachment Based and Emotionally or Cognitively Focused. You would have to put a little more effort in digging deeper to find one with a Humanistic Transpersonal approach. Which is interesting because in my opinion, what is therapy if it is not guided by the expectations of heightened awareness to the point of non-ordinary states of consciousness. Of course, traditional healing approaches can bring just as much possibility of healing, but I feel that too many therapists were prompted to resonate with an approach early on in their careers, with little to no exploration of alternatives that may be in alignment with the services that they bring. I came to Saybrook to discover just that. Already, the curriculum has introduced me to the many ways of showing up in the therapy chair, to the point that there is a more profound blurred line between the role of the therapist and client. For it is them that conquers their treatment and should be shaped in a way that has their perspectives, offerings, and overall experiences in mind (Duncan & Miller, 2000, p. 11).
This dance all starts with the initial consultation that takes place between a potential therapist and client dynamic that assess whether a therapeutic alliance can be cultivated. Many therapists offer this interaction for free, while others charge a fee. However, some therapists don’t even offer this service at all due to their busy schedules and reputation. Potential clients typically have 15-30 minutes to decide on a long-term commitment with a potential therapist, hoping that they aren’t just being told things that will lead them to securing a spot on the therapist’s calendar. I’m sure that many therapists use that time to sit in a space of genuineness and sincerity but there are also therapist, especially the ones in training, that are merely looking to fill up their caseloads. Taking on clients that they know may not be the best fit for them and tampering with the therapeutic alliance before it even has a chance to be developed.
Your states board may be too busy collecting annual fees for licensing, registrations, and exams, to emphasis the importance of developing and maintaining the therapeutic alliance. This does not mean that it diminishes from our responsibilities. To ensure that one is a sufficient candidate for birthing organic and fulfilling healing for our clients, one would have to possess Emotional Intelligence, the ability to tap into Non-Verbal Synchrony and possess an increased awareness of Spiritual Resonance. Transforming current modalities by introducing interventions that engage both client and therapist in transpersonal experiences, that assist in helping the client reach their treatment goals (Siegel, 2019). Doing so secures a strong foundation that promotes the development of Humanistic Transpersonal Practitioners, without having to succumb to the theoretical models that were presented to us straight out of graduate studies.
NON-VERBAL SYNCHORNY
Too much training is centered around what to say within session and the appropriate times to say it. Although important, we neglect the power of the things that are not being said. Non-verbal synchrony is defined as a subconscious mirroring of movements between two people that are synced to one another, in a way that symbolizes a strong rapport and resonance being built within the dynamic (Bernier et al.,1996). A study conducted by (Lutz et al., 2020) found that with the utilization of Motion Energy Analysis to detect non-verbal synchrony, study participants not only reported an increase in interpersonal changes but claimed that they were able to predict the outcomes of symptoms as well. Imagine having more confidence in meeting treatment goals and overall outcomes just by increasing your awareness of the non-verbal cues that go on between yourself and client in session.
EMOTINAL INTELLIGENCE
Emotional Intelligence is another vital characteristic that needs to be on the forefront of building a therapeutic alliance with the client. Instead, more emphasis is placed on analytical intelligence that places higher power on licensure exam scores that measures one ability to recall and recite information. The emotional component should be at the core of training practitioners, clinicians, healers, and organizations (Freshwater, 2004) just as much as any other area. Zijlmans et al. (2015) found that with training staff to be Emotionally Intelligent, led to an increase in task-oriented coping, confidence, and adaptation that lasted four months post experimentation. Not only is an Emotionally Intelligent therapist beneficial to the client, it can also serve the work experienced by the therapist as well. With increased confidence and adaptability, comes a decrease in burn out and imposter syndrome. Alleviating the intense pressures and demands that come with this type of work, beyond the oversaturated “self-care” regime. If Emotional Intelligence can grant us access to a two-way street that leads to healing for the client and therapist, then it is something that should be integrated into building a sufficient therapeutic alliance.
SPIRITUAL RESONANCE
Before entering each session with a client, whether that is the initial meeting or last, I called on a force that was greater than myself to speak, heal and treat through me. I was always very intentional with the work that I did with my clients and viewed it as no little thing to operate within this living matrix, in which spirits met and intertwined (Bache, 2000). I’m not sure what the internal process is as far as preparation and intention setting goes with other therapist, but so far, I’ve only witnessed the frantic need to do progress notes and try to decompress between each of their clients. Leaving little room to reset spiritually and energetically, amid their back-to-back bookings.
I’ve always viewed the therapeutic process as being very much sacred in nature. I was made aware of the cognitive and psychological benefits regarding my clients but always felt that not enough attention to what exactly was happening on a spiritual level within session for the therapist. Spiritual Resonance is mutually and consensually created between therapist and client and consist of a shared energy field that transcends space and time through each participants heightened awareness. This expanded awareness is usually accomplished by practitioners that engage in their own spiritual practice, whether that be yoga, meditation or breathwork, and is a vital aspect of inviting The Divine into session. In a Heuristic Study conducted by Siegel (2013), 12 spiritually awakened practitioners were interviewed on their lived experiences that go on within session. They all reported consistent themes of attunement to the divine, transmission of energy, detachment from the ego, therapist/client transformation and so much more. Too often are therapist experiencing burn out due to operating out of their own personal energy source and agendas. With increased awareness and overall expectation of integrating spiritual resonance into the therapeutic setting, one has the power to provoke the inner healer in all parties involved.
REFLECTIONS
I am eternally grateful for the community that I am developing at Saybrook. This cohort has served as a tremendous reminder that I am not alone in wanting to heal and shape the world to some capacity. Each of my classmates shared such different approaches and offerings, but ultimately had one thing in common, we all wanted to reach our fullest potential. Not only to serve our clients, but ourselves as well. Discussions and meet ups were virtual but this didn’t hinder us from creating this group synergy that not even distance could compete with. The collective resonance that was exchanged between us through dialogue and participation was powerful enough to transform our consciousness as a collective (Wilson, 2008). I truly believe that we all influenced each other in one way or another and now have a set expectation of the spaces of which we would like to be a part of moving forward.
AWAKENING WITHIN TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY (Becoming Light)
I will never forget my first transpersonal psychotherapy experience while in session with one of my clients. I was living in California at the time, working as a therapist in Encinitas. My spiritual devotion was at an all-time high, as I was meditating every morning, doing Hot yoga every night, spending adequate time in nature, attending Sunday services, and engaging with plant medicines. I feel that a combination of all these factors led me to connect with myself and my clients on another level. It is important to discover all the ways in which spiritual practices and overall awakening has on the therapeutic alliance for both client and therapist. One session, I witnessed a white light shaping the silhouette around one of my clients. I figured I may have ingested way too much caffeine, until it continued to happen with this client in particular. She had experienced a great deal of trauma and was considered high risk. At the time, I felt that I couldn’t disclose this with my colleagues or supervisor due to fears of being incompetent and placing my license at risk for being revoked. Saybrook was the first place that I felt comfortable sharing this without fears of being judged. My experience was not only validated by my peers, but by my professor as well. Being seen and heard in such a way invited me to move more into my healing powers and abilities without fear or constraints.
INTEGRATION
Reflecting on my own experience, while integrating all the provided insight and knowledge into the world of Transpersonal Psychology, has led me to believe that there is a call for a new agenda that accommodates and develops our social and emotional identities (Freshwater, 2004). I aspire to be a supervisor to therapist in training, where I hope to incorporate all that has been introduced to me.
HELP WANTED
It all starts with the hiring process. Many private and county funded practices seek therapist that possess the appropriate education and credentials to practice therapy, without restriction and nothing more. It would be mandatory for me to only consider candidates that are spiritually awakened, meaning that they already engage in their own spiritual practice and have participated in at least three ceremonies that have led to non-ordinary states of consciousness. Another aspect that I would integrate is ongoing trainings around Emotional Intelligence, Non-Verbal Synchrony and Spiritual Resonance. Therapist in training under my supervision will receive feedback directly from clients, rating their ability to establish and maintain their competency in these areas every 90 days. Promoting the opportunity for professional development and evolution as a therapist, healer, and beyond.
Lastly, I would invest in the group synergy shared between myself and therapist under my supervision by offering annual company retreats and weekly group sessions held for yoga or meditation practices as a collective. This promotes a work culture centered around self-care that in exchange provides the best possible care for our clients, ensuring a two-way street for transformational healing and resonance to take place.
LOVE AT FIRST CONSULT
Another component that I wish to incorporate into my practice and future organization, is bringing awareness and intention setting into the consultation process. It should no longer be seen as a tedious task to schedule in between existing client, but an invitation to shed light on the life altering services that you have to offer to those in need. I would incorporate the use of The Internal Representation Questionnaire (IRQ) to further assess if I would be a good fit for potential clients, instead of going off the premature perception of the dynamic or availability alone. The IRQ measures one’s ways of thinking and processing based on factors such as representational manipulation, visual/orthographic imagery, and internal verbalization (Roebuck et al., 2020). This would be requested to be completed by the client before the consultation even takes place. Humans process things far beyond cognitively and emotionally. Getting more specific about potential client’s internal experiences can assist further in determining if what we have to offer intersects with their way of processing things.
At the beginning of the consultation, I would invite the potential client to engage in a ten-minute meditation to alleviate any nerves or preconceived assumptions that they may be experiencing. Some potential clients with prior experience in therapy settings come with a list of agenda items to go over, while others are first timers that have no idea as to where to even begin. Offering a safe space co created by therapist and client can help develop a container for authenticity and transparency. The last moments would be utilized for an open and honest dialogue centered around whatever comes up naturally, along with going over what the potential clients’ expectations for therapy are and the ways in which the potential therapist can assist them in achieving their treatment goals. This way, the seed to a powerful therapeutic alliance is planted before the first official session even takes place.
CONCLUSION
The therapeutic process must evolve with the increased healing capacity of humanity. With so many treatment alternatives prevailing in replacing traditional models, it’s important for the relationship between client and therapist to be reassessed as well. Therapeutic approaches that generations of therapist were built on are now requiring more from the therapist, that go beyond their standard licensing requirements. Cultivating Emotional Intelligence, Non-Verbal Synchrony and Spiritual Resonance is one way in which we can assure that we are showing up, beyond the physical and system made agendas, for ourselves and our clients. I’ve always stated that I wanted to change the world, and this is one way of doing do. By providing therapeutic alliances and spaces where transpersonal experiences can take place and be mimicked within one’s own reality. I thank members of my Saybrook community for reminding me that this is possible, by making treatment their own and showing up every day as healers and offering all that they can to make an impact in this universe.
REFERENCES
Bache, C. (2000). Dark night, early dawn. Albany: State University of New York Press.
Bernieri, F. J., Gillis, J. S., Davis, J. M., & Grahe, J. E. (1996). Dyad rapport and the accuracy of its judgment across situations: A lens model analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(1), 110–129. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.71.1.110
Duncan, B.L., & Miller, S.D. (2000). The heroic client: Doing client-directed, outcome informed psychotherapy. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Freshwater, D. (2004). Emotional intelligence: developing emotionally literate training in mental health: healthcare professionals have traditionally been told not to become emotionally involved with clients. Mental Health Practice, 8(4), 12+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A126119708/PPNU?u=dall6191&sid=bookmark-PPNU&xid=965a92e8
Lutz, W., Prinz, J. N., Schwartz, B., Paulick, J., Schoenherr, D., Deisenhofer, A., Terhürne, P., Boyle, K., Altmann, U., Strauß, B., Rafaeli, E., Atzil-Slonim, D., Bar-Kalifa, E., & Rubel, J. (2020). Patterns of early change in interpersonal problems and their relationship to nonverbal synchrony and multidimensional outcome. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 67(4), 449-461. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cou0000376
Pearson, M. (2011) Multiple intelligences and the therapeutic alliance: Incorporating multiple intelligence theory and practice into counselling, European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling, 13(3), 263-278, DOI: 10.1080/13642537.2011.596725
Roebuck, H., & Lupyan, G. (2020) The Internal Representations Questionnaire: Measuring modes of thinking. Behavior Research Methods, 52, 2053–2070, https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-020-01354-y
Siegel, I. R. (2019). Spontaneous Awakening in Transpersonal Psychotherapy. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 51(2), 198-224. https://tcsedsystem.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/spontaneous-awakening-transpersonal-psychotherapy/docview/2407608896/se-2?accountid=3412\
Siegel, I. R. (2019). Therapist as a Container for Spiritual Resonance and Client Transformation in Transpersonal Psychotherapy: An Exploratory Heuristic Study, The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 45(1), 49-71.
Wilson, A. (2008). Facilitators' perceptions of what contributes to group synergy and collective resonance.
Zijlmans, L. J. M., Embregts, P. J. C. M., Gerits, L., Bosman, A. M. T., & Derksen, J. J. L. (2015). The effectiveness of staff training focused on increasing emotional intelligence and improving interaction between support staff and clients. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 59(7), 599–612. https://doi-org.tcsedsystem.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/jir.12164
