Nyangereka, M. (2015). An Exploration of a Holistic Approach to Counseling Psychology Integrating Mind, Body and Spirit (Unpublished Doctoral thesis, City University London).

Introduction

This preface introduces the components that form the professional doctorate in counselling psychology portfolio of work that investigates an integrated and holistic approach to the individual in counselling psychology. The components of this portfolio are comprised of a research study which explores the experiences of UK based Ugandans’ relationship to their parents who lived in Uganda during Idi Amin’s regime; a client study which applied the integration of the Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approaches in the treatment of health anxiety; and a publishable paper which presents a condensed version of the findings of the research paper focussing on the need for a holistic approach to the individual by encompassing the aspects of mind body and spirit. In this preface, each component will be considered within the context of the importance of taking a holistic approach to the individual in counselling psychology, considering the role of mind, body and spirituality on individual well-being as well as the wider socio-cultural and historical context within which the individual is embedded. This approach foregrounds the participants’ experience and clients’ needs which Yardley (2000) and Frost (2012) exhort as essential to the pluralism to which counselling psychology aspires.

Furthermore, this portfolio represents my own growth as a counselling psychologist through which I have developed an interest in community psychology; recognising the role that counselling psychologists can have in ameliorating wider social problems and the importance of working in collaboration with communities to support individuals. It also encompasses the parallel process I have experienced during my training in which, as a result of researching my Ugandan heritage through this project my own physical manifestations of intergenerational transmission of trauma (IGTT) emerged. Moreover, my Buddhist practice helped me to make meaning of, and gain new insights from my experiences, transforming them into a new found source of strength and resilience. The development of my professional identity is underpinned by empirical research and is compatible with the reflective-practitioner model of counselling psychology to which this portfolio seeks to contribute.