Integrating Yoga into Counselling and Psychotherapy: The Path and Practice

The present study investigates the processes of integrating yoga into Western counselling and psychotherapy practices within Canadian contexts. This was accomplished by interviewing 10 mental health professionals who integrate yoga into their counselling and psychotherapy practices. Data was analyzed using the grounded theory methods and three core themes were identified in the processes of integration. The first core theme, therapist’s preparation for integrating yoga into counselling and psychotherapy, describes the ways in which therapists prepare themselves for integrating yoga into their therapy practices. The second core theme, the therapist preparing clients to practice yoga in session, explains the ways in which therapists prepare their clients to practice yoga in counselling and psychotherapy sessions. The third core theme, the practice of integrating yoga into counselling and psychotherapy, describes the specific yoga practices and approaches that are brought into therapy practice. A mid-level theory on the process of integration is presented as the Tri-Process Model of Integrating Yoga into Counselling and Psychotherapy. This study has important implications for addressing the limitations of Western counselling and psychotherapy and provides therapists with an understanding of how to incorporate more holistic and body-oriented approaches in counselling and psychotherapy practice.Ed.D