Pastoral Psychology

, Volume 67, Issue 1, pp 65–84 | Cite as

Exploring Experts’ Perspectives on Spiritual Bypass: a Conventional Content Analysis

Article
First Online:
  • 109 Downloads

Abstract

Spiritual bypafssing is a term coined in 1984 by the psychologist and Buddhist practitioner John Welwood to define the use of spiritual practices and beliefs as a way of avoiding dealing with unresolved psychological issues. Despite the popular appeal of spirituality, little research exists about spiritual bypass. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of experts with a background in working with spiritual bypass in clinical settings by conducing 10 semi-structured interviews. The results of the conventional content analysis yielded 63 codes that the authors clustered into 10 categories: (a) Exploring Client’s Spirituality, (b) Definition, (c) Symptoms, (d) Personality Traits and Life Experiences, (e) Causes, (f) Negative Consequences, (g) When Spiritual Bypass Is Not Unhealthy, (h) Ways to Treat, (i) Healthy Spirituality, and (j) Longevity. The study’s findings offer future researchers a broader view of the phenomenon of spiritual bypass, including its main symptoms, causes, and consequences and methods of treatment.

Keywords

Spiritual bypass Spirituality Counseling Conventional content analysis Psychology 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. Beutler, L. E., & Clarkin, J. (1990). Systematic treatment selection: Toward targeted therapeutic interventions. New York: Brunner/Mazel.Google Scholar
  2. Cashwell, C. S., & Young, J. S. (Eds.). (2011). Integrating spirituality and religion into counseling: A guide to competent practice. Alexandria: American Counseling Association.Google Scholar
  3. Cashwell, C. S., Myers, J. E., & Shurts, M. (2004). Using the developmental counseling and therapy model to work with a client in spiritual bypass: Some preliminary considerations. Journal of Counseling & Development, 82, 403–409.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  4. Cashwell, C. S., Bentley, P. B., & Yarborough, J. P. (2007). The only way out is through: The peril of spiritual bypass. Counseling and Values, 51, 139–148.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. Cashwell, C. S., Glosoff, H. L., & Hammonds, C. (2010). Spiritual bypass: A preliminary investigation. Counseling and Values, 54, 162–174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.Google Scholar
  7. Fowler, J. (1981). Stages of faith: The psychology of human development and the quest for meaning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.Google Scholar
  8. Fox, J., Gutierrez, D., Haas, J., Briganza, D., & Berger, C. (2015). A phenomenological investigation of centering prayer using conventional content analysis. Pastoral Psychology, 64(6), 803–825.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  9. Freud, S. (1952). A general introduction to psychoanalysis. New York: Washington Square Press. (Original work published 1920).Google Scholar
  10. Harris, B. (1994). Kundalini and healing in the west. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 13, 75–79.Google Scholar
  11. Hsieh, H. F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277–1288.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  12. Koenig, H. (2012). Overview of the research. In H. Koenig (Ed.), Spirituality and health research: Methods, measurement, statistics, and resources (pp. 13–27). West Conshohocken: John Templeton Press.Google Scholar
  13. Larson, D. B., & Milano, M. A. (1995). Are religion and spirituality clinically relevant in health care? Mind/Body Medicine, 1(3), 147–157.Google Scholar
  14. Maher, M., & Hunt, T. (1993). Spirituality reconsidered. Counseling and Values, 38, 21–28.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  15. Masters, R. A. (2010). Spiritual bypassing: When spirituality disconnects us from what really matters. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books.Google Scholar
  16. Miller, G. (2003). Incorporating spirituality in counseling and psychotherapy. Hoboken: Wiley.Google Scholar
  17. Pargament, K. (2007). Spiritually integrated psychotherapy: Understanding and addressing the sacred. New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
  18. Pargament, K. I., Smith, B. W., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. (1998). Patterns of positive and negative religious coping with major life stressors. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37, 710–724.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. Parker, S. (2011). Spirituality in counseling: A faith development perspective. Journal of Counseling & Development, 89, 112–120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Paul, G. L. (1967). Strategy of outcome research in psychotherapy. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 31, 109–118.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  21. Richards, P., & Bergin, A. (2005). A spiritual strategy for counseling and psycho-therapy (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  22. Sovatsky, S. (1998). Words from the soul: Time, east/west spirituality, and psychotherapeutic narrative. Albany: State University of New York Press.Google Scholar
  23. Welwood, J. (1984). Principles of inner work: Psychological and spiritual. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 16, 63–73.Google Scholar
  24. Welwood, J. (2000). Toward a psychology of awakening: Buddhism, psychotherapy, and the path of personal and spiritual transformation. Boston: Shambhala.Google Scholar
  25. Whitfield, C. (1987). Healing the child within. Deerfield Beach: Health Communications.Google Scholar
  26. Whitfield, C. (1995). Memory and Abuse: Remembering and Healing the Effects of Trauma. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications.Google Scholar
  27. Whitfield, C. (2003). My recovery: A personal plan for healing. Deerfield Beach: Health.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences of the University of PortoPortoPortugal
  2. 2.Stetson UniversityDeLandUSA

Personalised recommendations