Integrating Yoga and Counselling: A Phenomenological Exploration of the Client Experience

Authors

  • Samantha N. Beveridge Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology The University of British Columbia
  • Marla J. Buchanan Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology The University of British Columbia

Abstract

Yoga is a widely utilized practice with extensive research demonstrating its benefits. Dually certified counsellors are increasingly integrating yoga into their practice. Given the paucity of research examining this integrative therapy approach, a phenomenological investigation was designed to explore and describe the lived experiences of clients engaged in this therapeutic approach. 6 clients described their experience of counselling that integrated yoga through in-depth qualitative interviews. 5 main themes emerged: (a) yoga components; (b) counselling components; (c) structure of the integration of yoga and counselling components; (d) counsellor’s way of being matters; and (e) inclusion of yoga in counselling facilitates processes, including bottom-up processing, affect regulation, affect tolerance, and a whole-person approach. The findings are examined considering the extant literature on the integration of yoga and counselling. Recommendations for the inclusion of yoga in counselling practice and implications for future research are discussed.

Author Biographies

Samantha N. Beveridge, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology The University of British Columbia

Samantha Beveridge is a graduate of the master’s program in Counselling Psychology and is a counsellor in private practice. Her areas of interest include stress, resilience, and somatic and experiential psychotherapies.

Marla J. Buchanan, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology The University of British Columbia

Marla J. Buchanan is a professor in Counselling Psychology at The University of British Columbia. Her research interests include studies in traumatic stress.

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Published

2019-11-25

How to Cite

Beveridge, S. N., & Buchanan, M. J. (2019). Integrating Yoga and Counselling: A Phenomenological Exploration of the Client Experience. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 53(4). Retrieved from https://dev.journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/rcc/article/view/61265

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Articles/ Articles