Sacred Harmony. A Celtic Way of Healing

The debate about effectiveness of therapeutic interventions is thick with claims and counter claims, “among professions, notably between psychiatry and psychology, loud, incessant and even hateful arguments are heard. The... [ view full abstract ]

The debate about effectiveness of therapeutic interventions is thick with claims and counter claims, “among professions, notably between psychiatry and psychology, loud, incessant and even hateful arguments are heard. The basic theme is that we in X profession are better equipped to minister to the psychological needs of the citizenry than you in Y profession” (Hubble, Duncan & Miller 1999, p.2).

In her thirty years as a professional in the industrial Western countries working in the trauma field with children the author has noticed that there is constant movement in and out of what is clinically in vogue. Moreover, she has noted that despite this jostling for 'better equipped to minister' there is a steadfast tendency to separate mind, body, and spirit, with trauma interventions giving scant attention given to the health of the spirit.

When the author enrolled in 2015 to do her doctorate of social work at Sydney University in Australia she was encouraged to consider what theoretical paradigm she was to utilize for her research. Thirty years of Western clinical training fell away in one answer, " My ancestral wisdom, that of the Irish Celtic way".

This workshop will introduce participants to a Celtic world view's of the author's ancestors which has a theory of healing that integrates body, mind and spirit. Case studies from the author’s practice with children and adult survivors of trauma will be discussed.

This discussion will delve into the Celtic theoretical paradigm of healing that is founded on the four elements of balance, integration, harmony and connection. Moreover, the workshop will explore the importance of the contribution to trauma interventions that all global cultural/spiritual healing practices make.

References

Hubble, M.A., Duncan B.L., Miller S.D. (1999) The heart and Soul of Change. What works in Therapy.Washington, American Psychological Association.