RITUAL and CEREMONIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Are you curious how ritual and ceremonial psychology can be a valuable tool for personal growth, cultural connection, emotional support, and mind-body connection?

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The use of ritual is an ancient practice…

In modern western society, we have all but lost the practice of ritual and ceremony. We can still see it present in the momentous occasions of birthdays, quinceañeras, weddings and funerals. Read Dr. Renye’s article on this type of psychology here.

Ritual and ceremonial psychology is a field that focuses on the psychological aspects of rituals and ceremonies, such as the meaning and symbolism behind the practices. This field recognizes that rituals and ceremonies have been used by cultures around the world throughout history as a way to mark important life events, express cultural values, and connect with spiritual or divine forces.

Ritual and ceremonial psychology draws from a variety of disciplines, including anthropology, psychology, and religious studies. It seeks to understand the ways in which rituals and ceremonies can impact individuals and communities on a psychological level, such as by fostering a sense of belonging, promoting healing, and providing a sense of meaning and purpose.

The field also recognizes that rituals and ceremonies can have both positive and negative effects, and that it is important to approach them with a critical and mindful perspective. Some practitioners of ritual and ceremonial psychology may work with individuals or groups to create and participate in meaningful rituals that promote healing and personal growth.

Overall, ritual and ceremonial psychology is a growing field that recognizes the important role that rituals and ceremonies play in human life and seeks to explore and understand their psychological impact. It can be a useful framework for those who are interested in exploring the psychological aspects of rituals and ceremonies, and for those who wish to incorporate meaningful practices into their own lives.

In addiction, there is a great deal of ritual. The procuring of the substance (or setting up of the process, if a process addiction), the clearing out of their schedule to engage (setting up “sacred” space), use, and a rest period (or integration) to follow. This speaks of a yearning for ritual to be part of healing, especially in addiction recovery.

in practice

In our practice at Whole Person Integration, we use ritual and ceremony, when requested and appropriate as a growth agent in treatment, as ways to help people process their internal experiences as well as make sense of life transitions. Rituals and ceremony are done within session, sometimes for an extended amount of time. All ritual and ceremonial psychology work is done with the recipe of intention setting, ritual/ceremony, and integration. Typically this work is complete in 5 sessions.

Some examples of the practice of ritual and ceremonial psychology we have collaboratively designed with patients/clients/students are:

  • Healing and Creative arts

  • Retirement Ritual

  • Crone Ritual and Ceremony

  • Pregnancy, Birth and Motherhood Ritual

  • Death and Letting go Ritual

  • Rebirth and Renewal Ritual

  • Psychedelic Integration Ritual

  • Sexuality Mapping and Pattern Breaking Ritual

  • Dreamwork Ritual and Dream Yoga

  • Yoga Nidra

  • Lotus Rebirth Ritual

  • Labyrinth Ritual