Breathwork as a Therapeutic Modality: An Overview for Counselors
J. Scott Young, Craig S. Cashwell, Amanda L. Giordano
Counseling and Values October 1, 2010 DOI: 10.1002/j.2161-007x.2010.tb00025.x via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractConscious breathing techniques, such as circular breathing, conscious connected breathing, and fast and full breathing, can serve as a vehicle for accessing psychological material, a topic rarely discussed in counseling literature despite its use in many spiritual traditions for personal transformation. This article describes these three types of breathing, their application in therapeutic breathwork, the facets of the breathwork experience, and clinical considerations for counselors, illustrated with a case study.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | circular breathing conscious connected breathing fast and full breathing |
| Citations | 15 |
| Key finding | Conscious breathing techniques can be integrated into counseling to help clients access psychological material, though this approach is rarely addressed in the counseling literature. |
Abstract
Using the breath as a vehicle for accessing psychological material is a topic rarely discussed in the counseling literature, despite the use of conscious engagement with the breath by many spiritual traditions for the purpose of personal transformation. This article describes 3 types of conscious breathing (circular breathing, conscious connected breathing, and fast and full breathing) and the use of therapeutic breathwork within the counseling process. The authors describe the many facets of the breathwork experience, provide a case study, and address clinical considerations when engaging in breathwork with clients.