Publication Date

2011

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Yoga-Therapeutic use, Self-care, Health, Psychotherapists-Psychology, Yoga, Yoga as an adjunct to therapy, Therapist self-care

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory/descriptive survey was to inquire of therapists who might or might not have a personal yoga practice, whether they recommend it to their clients as an adjunct to therapy. There has been an increasing research literature regarding the treatment of both physical and mental health issues with body work modalities that go beyond traditional –talking cure– interventions; yoga has been shown in some such studies to have positive influence on the lives of those who practice it, including clinicians themselves for purposes of self-care and avoiding burnout. Questions posed by the current survey were –Do clinicians recommend yoga to clients? Do they do so more often when they themselves actively practice yoga? Are there limitations to whether, and when, clinicians responding to this survey recommend yoga?– The study was primarily a quantitative study, conducted through an online survey provider, but qualitative data were gathered through dialogue boxes for richer context. Of the 69 respondents who completed the survey, 43 recommended yoga to clients in therapy. The therapists who are making this recommendation as an adjunct to therapy are doing so with great care and sensitivity. Those who do not make a recommendation of yoga thoughtfully addressed their reasons for the limitations they place on making recommendations of any kind.

Language

English

Comments

v, 49 p. : col. ill. Thesis (M.S.W.)-Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2011. Includes bibliographical references (p. 37-39)

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