The Process of Transcending a Traumatic Childhood

Abstract

This study used a qualitative, exploratory approach to develop a conceptual framework that illustrated the process by which spirituality emerged as one of the processes that helped people transcend a traumatic childhood. Ninety people described how they survived and transcended the difficult time. This article outlines the stages of the developmental process that culminated for many in a deeper spiritual awareness and how this helped them in their process of transcending. These findings have implications for marriage and family therapists, clergy, and others in the helping professions in providing therapy, resources, and support for those who have experienced difficult childhoods.

Meditative Dialogue: Cultivating Sacred Space in Psychotherapy – An Intersubjective Fourth?

“…Much of the literature on spirituality and psychotherapy focuses on how to talk about spirituality in the therapeutic interaction (Griffith & Griffith, 2003;Walsh & Shapiro, 2006), mindfulness and its application to specific diagnostic categories (Linehan, 1993;Rubin, 1996;Simpson et al, 2007;Skogrand et al, 2007;Williams et al, 2007), or mindfulness and its application to specific kinds of therapy (Epstein, 1995(Epstein, , 2005Germer et al, 2005;Gurney & Rogers, 2007;Kabat-Zinn, 2003;Perez-De-Albeniz & Holmes, 2000;Rubin, 1996;Siegel, 2007Siegel, , 2008Styron, 2005;Surrey, 2005). I am interested in focusing on using mindfulness and meditation practices in psychotherapy to cultivate and intensify the spiritual energy that develops in the sacred space in between therapist and client.…”