Transpersonal Psychology - KellyBeninga.com

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(303) 579-1237 Kelly Beninga, M.A.
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Transpersonal Psychology

Description of Transpersonal Psychology
and Its Application to Psychotherapy:
Therapist to Client Perspective

by Kelly Beninga
Revised March 31, 2001

Transpersonal psychology is a relatively new field of psychology that incorporates the realm of spirit in the process of helping people realize their full potential. Transpersonal literally means "beyond the personal", indicating that both our human experience and a greater framework beyond it are included. That greater framework may include your view of God, religious practices, mystical experiences, altered states of consciousness, or any other part of your experience that has meaning to you.

My view is that our being is both spiritual and psychological in nature. I believe that we are all spiritual beings on a journey of human experience. Our psychological make-up is what makes us human, but it does not incorporate all that we are. Our spiritual essence holds the potential for transcendence of the self as currently experienced. Consciousness is a vast, multidimensional existence wherever new aspects of being are manifested on the path to discovering our true spiritual nature.

Transpersonal psychology does not view life as a series of random events that just happen for no reason. Events in our lives are rich with purpose and meaning, with the goal of learning about our true essence, and to transcend fear and separation to find love and oneness with the universe. Knowing that experiences in our lives have a purpose can help to get through tough times. From the Transpersonal Psychology perspective, psychological problems that are encountering are not seen as a problem to be fixed, but are indications that a greater potential within is unfolding. The intensity of symptoms relates to the intensity of the healing process. Our goal is not to simply stop symptoms, but to embrace them for a time to see what they want to teach us. They are pointing the way to healing and growth in our lives.

It is important to honor pain and go into it, feeling and exploring it, rather than avoiding or repressing it. Wounds and tragedies can be the motivation to make the inward journey. In the darkest area of the psyche, you may discover a redeeming light, healing, and new growth. Opening to the transforming power of spirit, as defined by the individual, can make lasting changes towards wholeness and optimal health.

My attitude towards you, and the attitude that I hope you can develop towards yourself, is one of unconditional love and acceptance. The events and experiences of your life up to this point have shaped who you are. There is nothing bad or wrong about any part of you. There is a valid reason for every thought and emotion that you have.

We will be working to help you gain understanding about you thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. We will work to transform those that no longer serve you on your path. As a Transpersonal psychotherapist I incorporate a variety of conventional and transpersonal psychological methods and tools for this journey. These may include depth psychotherapy, meditation, journaling, dream analysis, guided imagery, and breath/body work. The dialogue we have may at times not seem much different than that of conventional therapy you may have been to. The difference is in the larger transpersonal context in which I hold our experience together.

Growth involves letting go of the defensive contraction that reduces awareness, and removing obstacles to the recognition of our ever present expanded potential. This is achieved by quieting the mind and removing the distortions and constrictions in thoughts and perceptions. This process can be facilitated by viewing our true self as something greater than just our thoughts and feelings, thereby gaining a more objective perspective on ourselves.

I view both psychological development and spiritual development to each generally develop in stages, where it is difficult to move on to the next stage before completing all previous stages. However, psychological and spiritual development can take place simultaneously. Assessing your developmental stage in each area can help to determine what challenges you may be facing, and what psychotherapeutic approach may be most helpful. For example, a successful businessman with a well-adjusted family may have a high level of interpersonal psychological functioning, but may be lacking in introspection of his true nature and the meaning of his life. He may therefore feel apathy and a low-grade depression resulting from lack of development in the transpersonal realm. Therapy would therefore address this area. I can support clients that are interested in attainment of transcendence or an "ultimate state", which is usually dependent on direct practice of a course of action, or "path". Consistent practice of meditation is one example of such a path. Such clients are free to choose the path that fit with their desires and spiritual traditions. My job is to provide support on whatever path is chosen.

Sessions are $70 per hour