Creating sacred space in pluralistic therapy

Abstract

This paper explores the possibilities for creating sacred spaces in pluralistic therapy. It examines how the counsellor can achieve client transformation using shamanic methodologies within a flexible Collaborative Pluralistic framework of counselling and psychotherapy. It addresses gender issues in relation to therapy and spirituality, by examining feminist forms of therapy and female constructs of spirituality. The results of practitioner research undertaken in the UK by a pluralistic counsellor and psychotherapist are presented, exploring relationships between shamanic methodology and the Psychological Spiritual paradigm in therapy. The paper explores how spiritual experiences may be constructed through a qualitative inquiry involving fieldwork and interviewing. It concludes that Collaborative Pluralism’s emphasis on providing a humanistic and collaborative experience of therapy allows clients a constructivist experience of counselling and psychotherapy. This epistemological position offers possibilities for creating sacred space in therapy, by supporting a broad interpretation of female constructs of spirituality.