What is Psychosynthesis?
2 minute read
This famous quote from Roberto Assagioli, the Italian psychiatrist, contemporary of Freud, Jung and Steiner and founder of psychosynthesis provides a useful analogy to describe psychosynthesis, how it differs and expands on psychoanalysis:
“Psychosynthesis is interested in the whole building. We try to build an elevator which will allow a person access to every level of his personality. After all, a building with only a basement is very limited. We want to open up the terrace where you can sun-bathe or look at the stars. Our concern is the synthesis of all areas of the personality. That means psychosynthesis is holistic, global and inclusive. It is not against psychoanalysis or even behaviour modification but it insists that the needs for meaning, for higher values, for a spiritual life, are as real as biological or social needs.”
Roberto Assagioli
Who wants to spend time dwelling in the basement?
And yet that is what can happen with more traditional counselling - we spend a lot of time focusing on the basement.
So how is psychosynthesis different and what does it actually mean?
In the same way that a well-designed house has synergy between all the floors or rooms - you get a sense of flow as you walk around; as human beings we're very similar - the 'rooms' that make up the different aspects of ourselves thrive when they receive equal attention in counselling. Psychosynthesis focuses on synthesising or interweaving all those different parts of us together.
To focus on just one part of ourselves would be both a limiting experience for you and a short-term solution. Like a quick-fix DIY at home. My role is partly to ensure that your whole house is considered and cared for.
This also means that the counselling experience doesn’t just feel remedial - not about fixing broken parts - but also about keeping a keen eye on the future - what's possible for you, what your best hopes and dreams are. Bringing purpose, meaning and true value back into your life.
Together we'll be accessing those parts that have perhaps either been neglected or just laid dormant for a while. Part of being able to access more of oneself means it's a more bumpy journey, it's not a stroll in the park, it can be a steep climb occasionally, but the view from the summit is so worth it!
A psychosynthesis therapist asks questions like when there's a crisis, what is it a symptom of? When we're deep in crisis, the last thing it feels like is an opportunity, we're not ready to hear or see that, but if we reflect back on previous crises, it's often a turning point for us. There's a golden seed within the crisis.
As part of nature, we are designed to heal ourselves and Psychosynthesis helps us find a way in.
There's no set pattern, it's an organic process, We might find ourselves seemingly hopping between your 'floors' using our Psychosynthesis lift, but that's OK. Good counselling – the kind that creates lasting change, isn't a tidy linear process where we tick boxes once a week.
Having an experienced guide alongside you, means you can access more of your innate confidence and courage to navigate places that at times may be uncomfortable territory for you.
Because Psychosynthesis is not just about building a solid foundation - although that's a key part of our work together - it's also about tilting your head towards the sun and the stars, designing the house that truly reflects who you are, the one you want to live in, rather than the one you think you should settle for.
