Healing soul: Integrating Jungian psychology and regressive therapies.

摘要

In recent years, popular interest in spiritual practices such as reincarnation has grown. Texts have been published describing the healing potential available through past life therapy. Three major therapies have emerged, including past life regression, life-between-life regression, and future life progression. Most studies offer therapeutic validity without grounding regression theory within a scientific framework. With the focus of healing being that of a patient's soul, quantitative study is limited. As such, regression therapies are viewed as spiritual practices instead of clinical interventions.;This study seeks to rectify the paucity of material engaging regression therapies with depth psychology in order to discover the healing potentiality for clinical practice. A thematic hermeneutic approach was utilized to reveal cultural/historic attitudes regarding the treatment of soul as well as the progressive removal of soul from psychology. Depth psychology, with an emphasis on Jungian and post-Jungian theory, became the focus of dialogue in which soul, as the subject of healing, might be invited back into clinical consulting rooms.;An alchemical hermeneutic method offered soul an independent voice in the data analysis. The researcher underwent regression therapies and engaged heuristic insights with the thematic dialogue to deepen understanding of the phenomenon in question. Soul was allowed to speak through transference dialogues with the researcher as to supplement insights regarding her treatment within psychology, particularly between the merging of depth psychology and regression therapies.;Research suggests that regression therapies engage the patient in the process of individuation. The patient becomes aware of ego complexes in opposition with the soul-as-Self. Balance is restored as archetypes emerge in past life memories, and patients integrate aspects of their personalities from previous incarnations. The collective unconscious, as the mundus imaginalis , is experienced as an active realm where healing is available to all. In essence, treating the soul through regression therapies affords a short-term analysis where the client is able to experience the numinous within a clinical, spiritual environment. In utilizing regression therapies within depth psychology, soul heals psyche heals soul. It is in this alchemical spiral where psychology and theology become one in the same.