Psychosis as a potentially transformative experience: implications for psychologists and counsellors

AbstractThe authors discuss the results and implications of their qualitative study conducted with six individuals who self-identified as having recovered from psychosis as part of a larger transformational process. The authors suggest psychologists and counsellors may support such persons by helping them to learn mindfulness skills and encouraging them to embark on a spiritual path of some form, so that clients can gain more power and control over distressing thoughts, emotions and experiences. The authors also encourage professionals to revisit traditional views of psychosis, and to consider the possibility that some people – if given proper support – can find psychosis to be a potentially transformative experience leading to considerable personal, psychological, and spiritual growth