Psychosynthesis is an approach to counselling, psychotherapy, and psychology that offers various psychological and transpersonal theories and therapeutic methods designed for both personal and spiritual development.

It was developed by the Italian psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli in response to psychoanalysis – a major approach within psychology at the time, which presented humans as ‘machines’ driven solely by unconscious forces. Although Assagioli initially practised psychoanalysis, he soon criticised it for focusing only on the negative aspects of the unconscious, recognising the need to integrate all parts of human nature, including our hidden capabilities and higher values.

Assagioli distinguished between personal and transpersonal psychosynthesis, suggesting that the former facilitates the development of a healthy and balanced personality on many levels, including mental, emotional, and social, whereas the latter goes beyond this to offer an opportunity for a deeper understanding of and connection with the Self, those around us, and life in general. In this sense, it can be applicable to a wide range of issues and needs presented by clients in therapy.

In practice, psychosynthesis involves an active dialogue between client and therapist, as well as psychoanalysis, self-exploration with the inclusion of both conscious and unconscious parts of the personality, meditation, guided imagery, visualisation techniques, journaling, and creative exercises. These methods all contribute to inner awakening and the experience of oneself as a more authentic being. It involves exploring the past and any suppressed emotions affecting the present, as well as the problematic symptoms impacting daily life, and the future, which holds the potential for progress and transformation.