Shamanism and Spirituality in Therapeutic Practice: An Introduction by Christa Mackinnon

Shamanism and Spirituality in Therapeutic Practice: An Introduction by Christa Mackinnon

Author:Christa Mackinnon [Mackinnon, Christa]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Published: 2012-06-14T16:00:00+00:00


How to Create the Place with the Client

When creating a power place/sanctuary together with the client, it is vital to recognize that the place only works its magic if the client creates it. I have experienced therapists who had preconceived notions about how such a place should look, where it should be and what it should contain. Yes, for many people being at the seaside or near water would be part of their sanctuary, and yes, many clients’ sanctuaries are somewhere in nature, but to achieve the full potential of a mental power place/sanctuary, it needs to be the client’s, not the therapist’s. Who knows, your client might feel unsafe around water or might not like that place on top of a hill, as heights can produce associations with danger in the brain.

When creating the sanctuary, I explain the concept beforehand and just use a simple trance-induction, as described below. The client is encouraged to imagine, in his or her own way, walking down a staircase or a mountain path or whatever else is appropriate. I usually count them down, suggesting that by the count of zero they will arrive at a place, which can be inside or outside, which can be a place they remember, or a place they have never visited before. I encourage my client to be ‘curious’ about the place, to ‘just let it come to mind’ in whatever form it wants to appear and to signal me when they are there. I then ask for a description of the place whilst the client is still in an altered state, with his or her eyes closed.

The description helps the client to explore the place; it helps me to get to know the client a bit better, and it also gives me the chance to check if there is anything in the place that might have negative connotations. One of my clients was very surprised to find that the place that came to mind was her former school playground. School years are remembered by many people with mixed emotions, so in a case of this nature it would be wise to ask some questions to ascertain that the client feels relaxed, safe and positive while visualizing their ‘safe’ place. This also applies to places that feel somehow potentially dangerous.

I always encourage clients to explore the place, finding out if it is complete, and encourage them to add or remove parts until the place looks and feels ‘perfect’. Once this is achieved, I will suggest they find a spot within the place that feels comfortable yet powerful and imagine that they sit or lie down in that spot for a while, to soak up the positive energy of the place. Depending on client and place, I might give some suggestions of peacefulness, calmness and relaxation as well as of this being a place of personal power and will. Before ‘awakening’, I suggest that whenever there is a need for a change of state the client can just visualize being in the sanctuary and begin to feel more relaxed, calm and peaceful and also more powerful.



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