A model of psychotherapy based on the soul and spirituality: A bridge between psychology and religion

The purpose of this theoretical study was to draw upon literature which integrates psychological and spiritual perspectives, and to develop a model of psychotherapy with the soul and spirituality as central constructs. The steps involved in this process included: (a) a thorough review of selected literature, and (b) the construction of a model of psychotherapy based on this literature.;The literature considered relevant to the study indicated that our models of psychotherapy are essentially constructions of reality agreed upon by consensus. It outlined the essential steps in constructing a model and advocated the development of a model of psychotherapy based on the soul and spirituality. It indicated that psychologists find spirituality to be a relevant topic in psychology and that spirituality is correlated with increased mental health. Alternative conceptualizations of development that expand into spiritual realms were presented, along with a summary of the key concepts in transpersonal psychology. Alternative holistic models from other sciences that include spiritual conceptualizations were also summarized, and an expansion within our scientific methodology was recommended.;Based on this literature a model of psychotherapy was constructed consisting of the following components: (a) philosophical underpinnings, (b) a theory of personality, (c) a theory of pathology, (d) a theory of change and healing, and (e) treatment. Essentially, the model proposed that: (a) the soul and Spirit are partners in evolution; (b) the soul is seeking communion, which translates into seeking full self-expression, unconditional love, and final union with Spirit; (c) suffering is a result of the personality being unaligned with the soul, experiences of loss and isolation, injury from one another, and an unfulfilled spiritual longing; (d) healing is facilitated by the personality becoming aligned with the soul and connected to Spirit; and (e) treatment involves techniques designed to integrate the soul and spirituality into therapy, align the personality with the soul, and deepen the client's connection to their soul and to Spirit. Therapy is designed to be a process of inner awareness whereby clients become more self-expressive, loving, soul-connected, and Spirit-united.;The potential strengths and limitations of the model were discussed, as well as implications for clinical practice and future research.