Recovery and Religious/Spiritual Practices

I find that spiritually-oriented recovery groups and therapeutic sessions have great impact on those people who are open to exploring their own personal existential dilemmas. Whereas serious and meaningful discussions about religious and spiritual experiences may be avoided in general circles -- even to the extent of becoming subjects of derision and infantilization -- recovery groups and therapeutic sessions dedicated to uncovering ways of transformation through the medium of religion/spirituality grant a freedom of speech to clients which they may normally not find outside of this particular therapeutic process.

Recovery focused on Higher Power, God, mindfulness, Buddhism, Christianity, and even on utilizing what I call a Taoistic approach (seen in agnostic or atheistic groups) grants members an open and safe space in which to verbalize their feelings about their spirituality, enabling them to delve into zones hitherto neglected or marginalized.

Some people may come to therapy with negative frames of reference around spirituality. It's good for them to acknowledge their stances -- and to think about the causes for their breaks with inner peace and purpose in life, and their fears and anxieties about dealing with the meaning of existence.

Whether people retain positive or negative connotations regarding spirituality and religiosity, introducing concepts of mindfulness can bridge divides between clients and their inner dimensions. Helping clients become aware of new techniques for retrieving inner calm, stability, detachment and self-control can aid a client in realizing that he or she only has to breathe and become aware of the breath to begin reaping benefits.

The usage of mindfulness has found its way into the clinical setting; counselors might want to practice it for themselves so that they can effectively demonstrate to others their process. In addition, mindfulness practice grants a person a centerdness that may be palpable.

When one is in recovery and attempting to break past habits, one may become discouraged by recurring negative self-talk. Meditation aims to view the chatter in a dispassionate manner. Once one can unhook oneself from identifying with the recurring thoughts that lead to cravings, self-harm and addiction, one can begin to realize that change is possible.

Visualization techniques available in the EMDR literature may also help clients gain access to subconscious healing. When clients develop and install inner resources around connectedness, their images become imbued with positive emotions and then act as archetypes to which clients can turn in times of need.

- Amy Discepolo, LMHC (first published in InSession magazine January 2023 - https://issuu.com/fmhca/docs/january_insession_2023_2_)