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Peter Powis presentation with Annemarie Louw at UKESAD 12 Conference in London. Building of resilience and enhancing spiritual connection in people recovering from eating disorders. http://www.montrosemanor.co.za/
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SPIRITUAL PATHWAYS TO PSYCHOLOGICAL
CHANGE AND RECOVERY
Spirituality as Change and Spirituality for Change
Peter Powis Consultant Clinical Psychologist Montrose Manor
Annie Louw Head: Montrose Manor Eating Disorders Programme
What do we mean by Spirituality?
Can be spectacular and relatively sudden but more often develops slowly over time
Cannot be created by self discipline alone
Involves a “profound alteration in reaction to life” (Purpose of Spirituality in Recovery and treatment)
Big Book on Spiritual Experience:
Big Book on Spiritual Experience (cont) Tap into an unexpected inner resource
identified with own concept of Power > self
Awareness of this Power > self
is the essence of spiritual experience.
“self” = egoistic “inner addict”
More modern scholars support Big Book
Eg Karen Armstrong:
Spirituality is important because:
It Changes us (“altered reaction to life”).
How does it change us?
Spiritual practices and attitudes eg “Golden Rule” – “don’t do to others…; Honesty, mindfulness, openness,
acceptance, compassion, willingness, tolerance, appreciation, gratitude
→ force us to put aside preferences, convictions and prejudices and therefore to change
Karen Armstrong (cont) Spirituality involves active engagement
(“willingness”) from a place of “not knowing” or uncertainty (“Open-mindedness”)
Not Left brain; Element of Mystery
In leaving the familiar we enter new territory and get beyond our “old selves.”
Distorted Perception:
Reality of Unmanageability
Increased willingness to try new attitudes and behaviour
Jonathan Haidt’s Research on Transcendence
Self-transcendence is a universal need
(Addiction a misguided attempt at spiritual wholeness – Jung)
Self-transcendence often sought through connectedness to a group
Isolation therefore leads to Dissatisfaction, regardless of freedom
Principles of Programme of Spirituality
Respect diverse beliefs and be accessible to all - religious...agnostic…atheistic
Culture of respect and tolerance
Timing – not too early or get pseudo spiritual change (escapist); ideally have Step 1
Principles of Programme of spirituality (cont)
Include some activity in Natural Environment
Woven into thread of overall programme and of practical relevance to Recovery
Structured and active (Spiritual change comes with discipline & active engagement)
Principles of Programme of Spirituality (cont)
Tap into experiential level (Gendlin)
Nurturing and supportive
(safety; +ve emotions)
Simple, sustainable and
“transportable”
Positive Psychology Certain “Spiritual” Practices (eg some
Meditation, Gratitude, Savouring positive experience, Kindness etc) enhance positivity;
So what?
Positivity is the means not the end (B Frederickson).
Positive Emotions (B.F)
Joy Gratitude
Inspiration Hope
Pride Amusement
Serenity Awe Interest Love Elevate functioning on all levels
Barbara Frederickson (Cont) Positivity ratio (3:1)
Individuals, Couples, Teams
Ensures thriving vs stagnation –
How does this happen?
Frederickson (cont)
Broaden and build theory: + emotions have survival value and are worth cultivating because:
o Expand cognitive flexibility/open-mindedness; behavioural options
o Enduring benefits - traits, social bonds,
inner resources and physical wellbeing. ie Resilience
IsolationFear & Anger
Shame
Emptiness
Low self esteem
Some examples of activities
Spirituality in recovery
Relationship with self and Life
Forgiveness and compassion
Integrity of the heart (cont)
What I believe about myself
What I believe about Life
What helps me connect
Higher Power
Eg Kevin McCauley MD: Anything deeply personally meaningful helps restore Prefrontal cortex and interrupt craving
Eg Family, Community, Fellowship and programme, God, Principles, a Purpose.
Is “higher in its power
Some examples of activitiesCont
Some examples of activities (cont) Specific Meditations (mindfulness
compassion; higher power; savouring positive experience and positivity)
Vision for Recovery; follow passions
Identify and capitalise on strengths
Some examples of activities (cont)
Challenge negative thinking
Processing Shame & “Dark side Light side”
Obituary group
Activities (cont): Integrity of the heart
What is it that most holds us back from living in the integrity of the heart?
Programme activities (cont)
Develop high quality connections
Contact with Natural environment
Gratitude and “3 good things”
Enhance by writing painting drawing etc
NB Tried and tested recovery tools enhance resilience Eg Serenity Prayer
Just for today, “Easy does it” and other slogans
Calm activity of orbito-frontal cortex (brain’s “worry centre”)
How are we changed? Greater self acceptance and
compassion for self and others
Greater connectedness;
improved relationships
Broader thinking and wider
repertoire of Behaviour (Greater
Resilience ? Also to relapse).
How are we changed? (cont) Beginning of new sense Purpose
Increased capacity for “distress tolerance” & emotional self regulation (prefrontal cortex governed functioning).
Greater contentment and maintenance of Serenity
How are we changed? (cont) “Realistic humility” and seeing self as part
of a greater whole
Peter Powis Consultant Clinical Psychologist Montrose Manor
Annie Louw Head: Eating Disorders Programme Montrose Manor