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professional certificate

How to Effectively Support People in Spiritual Awakening and Spiritual Crisis

Acquire understanding and practical skills to help yourself, a loved one, or your clients to integrate phenomena associated with opening to more expanded states of consciousness.

Start date: Monday, April 13th, 2026. Finish date: Sunday, May 31st, 2026.
Live webinars all Tuesdays 7-8:30 pm UK time (7 webinars in total).
Length of study: 7 weeks, 100% online.
Tuition: £700 (instalment payments available)

The 2026 edition of this programme has already started and does not admit new participants. A new edition will be offered in 2027 and admissions for this new intake will be open in mid October 2026. If you want to receive an announcement when the admissions open please contact us through this form.

To have up-to-date information about all Alef Trust activities, which in addition to our certificate programmes include a variety of events (workshops, webinars, talks, etc.), please use the following link to subscribe to our monthly newsletter: Alef Trust Insider & Transpersonal Community News

In this 7-week online course you will acquire abilities to recognize emergent phenomena, describe how they differ from symptoms of mental illness, and gain confidence in how to manage rapid steps in evolution in yourself and others.

Programme overview

This live, online program is appropriate for those with lived-experience, their loved ones, as well as healthcare providers. It includes 7 creatively-illustrated live presentations on 7 Tuesday evenings (7-8:30pm UK time) followed by Q&A with Dr. Bragdon. During each week you will have access to guided self-reflection to deepen your understanding of your own experiences, as well as brief, inspiring video interviews and newsclips to gain perspective on the universal nature of awakening, and dialogue with other students. Expertly curated resources provide optional reading materials and links to films and supportive organizations.

Accordion Content

  1. Describe the positive, transformative outcomes of spiritual crisis that are possible when the crisis is managed appropriately
  2. Understand the 13 different ways a spiritual awakening or crisis may manifest
  3. Recognize 9 catalysts of spiritual awakening and/or crisis
  4. Learn why Increasing numbers are spontaneously awakening to expanded states
  5. Differentiate the needs of those who experience phenomena connected to psychedelics and plant medicines versus those who are awakening via yoga, or meditation practices 
  6. Understand the ideal kind of support all those awakening may need 
  7. Recognize your own resources for offering the best kind of support 
  8. Design a plan for optimal care for someone in spiritual crisis
  9. Develop insight into why this special area is new in mental healthcare and most highly-trained therapists and MDs have not yet learned the necessary skills for assessment and effective support
  1. Incorporate the tools and practices offered in this program in ways beneficial to clients or patients integrating spiritually-transformative experiences
  2. Learn about the theory that distinguishes spiritual crisis from distinct mental illnesses and thus expand their ability to make accurate diagnoses and successful treatment plans
  3. Incorporate effective methods for working with people in spiritual crisis 
  4. Obtain references to recent research in peer-reviewed journals to provide the evidence base for course content

Seven Tuesday evenings (90 minutes each) for both presentations and Q&A.  Time spent with the adjacent supportive online materials may be 45 minutes more or less each week, depending on your desire to follow up with the provided optional links and resources.

Yes, if you comply with all the assessment requirements you will receive a digital diploma, issued by the Alef Trust. The requirements are:

  • To obtain a minimum of 83% (5 correct answers out of 6) in the quiz that will be released at the end of each module (there is one quiz per module, which means 7 quizzes in total). Note that you can retake these quizzes as many times as you need until you obtain the minimum required. Therefore, these quizzes are not really an assessment activity but a tool for you to test your knowledge of the webinars contents (and for us to know you have at least taken a look at the quiz questions and learned from your mistakes).
  • To obtain a minimum of 75% in the final test (which will be released at the end of the course). This is not difficult, in previous editions almost all participants who followed the course (attending or watching the webinars) passed this requirement.

If you fail the final test but comply with the requirement for the module quizzes, instead of a digital diploma you will receive a certificate of participation.

If you do not meet any of these two requirements you will not receive any official document confirming your participation in the course.

No.  Dr. Bragdon’s material is respectful of all religions and spiritual communities.  The course normalizes the phenomena of spiritual awakening, recognizing that individuals from every culture and religious tradition may experience them—even those who identify as agnostic or atheist.

If you have been personally disoriented and/or distressed by experiencing phenomena associated with awakening to expanded consciousness—you will find reassuring information as well as curated resources for personal support.  If you are concerned about a loved one who is troubled by the intensity of experiences expanding consciousness—you will find maps to help you understand the territory and offer appropriate support.  If you are a healthcare provider, you will get expert information to improve your abilities in assessment and treatment.

Dr. Bragdon was a student of Stanislav Grof, MD (psychiatry) who originated the terms “Spiritual Emergence” and “Spiritual Emergency” and started the first Spiritual Emergency Network (SEN) in 1980 with his wife, Christina Grof.  Dr. Bragdon was a volunteer at SEN for 7 years and coordinated two invited conferences in 1985 for professionals to deepen our understanding of Spiritual Emergency and supporting spiritual awakening. As a noted pioneer in the field she published two books about recognizing and successfully managing spiritual emergence phenomena which are still used in some graduate schools.  From 1990-to the present she has taught effective, safe ways to manage phenomena of awakening.  She also has a private practice to assist those looking for support in their awakening process.  She is the Founder and Executive Director of Integrative Mental Health University offering online courses and training.    

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS METHOD, YOU CAN ATTEND ONE OF THE 60-MINUTE INFORMATION SESSIONS AT OUR “OPEN HOUSE” WITH DR. BRAGDON. IF YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE THESE TEACHINGS DIRECTLY, YOU CAN JOIN ONE OF THE HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS (3-4 HOURS). THE SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION LINKS WILL BE PUBLISHED AROUND MID-OCTOBER 2025 AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE.

Course Leader

Emma Bragdon, PhD

Emma is the Founder and Executive Director of Integrative Mental Health University, IMHU.org. IMHU’s mission is to bring spirituality into the powerful role it deserves in healthcare alongside body, mind and community.

Curriculum

Accordion Content

The first 2 modules are dedicated to defining the territory, describing 13 categories of experiences that may occur in awakening or spiritual crisis, a screening device to help with assessments, and building a learning community through live dialogue.  A graphic map of the psyche will help you locate commonplace experiences vis a vis extraordinary experiences associated with emergent phenomena. Spiritual emergence is a lifetime process. It may involve spiritual crisis. It can also be a gradual, enjoyable process ending in ever-increasing life satisfaction and happiness. This can be helped by support from those who have mapped the process of awakening and can effectively respond to the ups and downs that may occur. 

  • Self-Reflection regarding your own experiences of the 13 categories
  • 2 quick quizzes to check your learning progress

You will understand why some people expand consciousness with ease while others have distress and disorientation. Breakout sessions will allow for confidential sharing (your choice always).  We will reflect on the impact of psychedelics and plant medicines.  A brief history recognizing this special arena of expansion of consciousness within mental health will be given. You will learn about how to recognize spiritual crisis from the point of view of the experiencer as well as the points of view of some leading expert psychologists and psychiatrists in the field.  You will gain new ways to assess spiritual crisis and gain perspective in determining how long the crisis will last.

  • An uplifting musical treat
  • Short video on redefining psychosis 
  • A video overview on the limitations of the language of science 
  • 2 short articles: (1) Evaluating anti-psychotics and empathic companionship, and (2) Normalizing hearing voices
  • Curated optional reading/viewing
  • Quick quiz to check your learning progress

You will learn how to care for yourself, or a loved one or a patient (client) who may be disoriented or distressed by phenomena of awakening. A list of essentials for caring offers a practical outline. This kind of care is illustrated by a review of successful programs from the past as well as more recent programs in various countries.  Positive outcomes of successful interventions and programs are highlighted, as is care for the carer. Suggestions for interventions to limit or be cautious about are given.

  • Short video newscast: On the crisis in our mental healthcare systems 
  • Summary of care and links to other resources
  • Quick quiz to check your learning progress

First we review the graphic representations we have to map the journey of awakening. A story of one man’s path illustrates a successful transformation from profound disturbance to transformation with adequate support. Next, we identify steps along the journey of transformation and define some goals. Our multicultural approach reviews how spiritual awakening and spiritual crisis have been perceived and managed in different ages and cultures. This includes views into indigenous cultures, into Yogic philosophy as translated by a Self-realized teacher, and into a Brazilian Spiritist psychiatric hospital and community center. These views offer broader perspectives on what can be important for effective diagnosis and treatment. Borrowing language from diverse cultures may be important.

  • 2 video interviews reveal the stories of individuals who had spiritual crises and how they resolved it. 
  • Guided personal reflection: What’s next for you?
  • Curated optional reading/viewing
  • Quick quiz to check your learning progress

We look more closely into the current meaning of “Pathology” and consider it vis a vis what we understand as spiritual awakening and spiritual crisis. A more complete explanation is given for differentiating spiritual crisis from pathology. You receive a table to help you make distinctions to help decide what kind of care will be most beneficial for a person in spiritual crisis. Finally, we consider the determining factors to predict how long a spiritual crisis may last.

  • Table to help differentiate spiritual crisis and pathology
  • Additional references and resources
  • Quick quiz to check your learning progress

The presentation covers 9 catalysts of spiritual crisis.  This makes it very clear that we are living at a time that can and does push people into spiritual crisis. In the last decades we have been exposed to both the light and the shadow of spiritual communities, the possibility of communication with those in other dimensions, the benefits and risks of marijuana, plant medicines, and psychedelics. Current stresses of the day are pushing people into finding deeper meaning and purpose—and a new vision for a positive future.

  • 22 min video interview with a man who started an alternative psychiatric hospital in the UK
  • Guided self-reflection: What you would like to do in your community
  • Quick quiz to check your learning progress

We’ll Create A Community for Learning

You’ll be part of an engaged learning group of people throughout your time in the course–people from around the world who are wanting to know more about supporting awakening that is safe, and offering the right kind of support for those in spiritual crisis.  You may choose to extend yourself to collaborate with fellow students in support of those in spiritual crisis in your community or online.

Learn from the collective wisdom we share together. Of course, your personal story will always be held respectfully in the private, virtual space we co-create.

Accordion Content

If you complete the course successfully you will obtain a digital diploma, issued by the Alef Trust. The requirements for this are the following:
 
  • To obtain a minimum of 83% (5 correct answers out of 6) in the quiz that will be released at the end of each module (there is one quiz per module, which means 7 quizzes in total). Note that you can retake these quizzes as many times as you need until you obtain the minimum required. Therefore, these quizzes are not really an assessment activity but a tool for you to test your knowledge of the webinars contents (and for us to know you have at least taken a look at the quiz questions and learned from your mistakes).
  • To obtain a minimum of 75% in the final test (which will be released at the end of the course). This is not difficult, in previous editions almost all participants who followed the course (attending or watching the webinars) passed this requirement.
If you fail the final test but comply with the requirement for the module quizzes, instead of a diploma you will receive a certificate of participation.
 
If you do not meet any of these two requirements you will not receive any official document confirming your participation in the course.
Register for the course here

What You’ll Receive

Accordion Content

Recordings of these webinars will be posted each week, so if you can’t make a session live, you will be able to watch it later at your convenience.

You will receive a recording of each live Q&A Session so if you miss the call or wish to listen to it again you can. These recordings can be a wonderful tool to deepen your integration of the teachings.

Frequently asked questions

Accordion Content

Awakening refers to expanding consciousness towards more fulfilling connection with what a person feels is sacred, or divine. It brings feelings of awe, joy, self-acceptance, compassion towards self and others.  It also opens up the capacity for forgiveness and deepening connection with all beings.

Spiritual emergence refers to a lifelong process of awakening. It can be a gentle, gradual process; it also can be very intense at times, i.e., when a person is having spiritually-transformative experiences.  Near-Death Experience, (NDE) is one example which happens more frequently now that our resuscitation technology has improved.  Most who experience NDE come back to life changed—they often want to re-evaluate their choices for work, close relationships, religion, and philosophy to be more aligned with the deepest parts of themselves, and less aligned with their egos. 

A spiritual emergency/ or crisis may happen as part of spiritual emergence.  Sometimes an intense spiritual experience seems to occur simultaneously with memories of past trauma that had previously been hidden away in the subconscious.  When a person has no prior understanding of the path of spiritual emergence this experience can be destabilizing and overwhelming.  That person needs time out for re-evaluation and to learn about optimizing self-care on the path of spiritual emergence.  Spiritual Emergency is not a new form of pathology; however, a person may need some specialized support to move through the crisis and harvest the positive transformation it brings.  A peer who has been through spiritual emergency, and reached a state of peace, can be an excellent source of support.  

William James, MD, PhD, the father of psychology in the USA, writing in the early 20th century, recognized that paranormal and psychic experiences are part of human life for some people and need to be understood and respected.  In the 1970s Stanislav Grof, MD, and his wife Christina Grof, identified the need for the public and healthcare providers to learn about the experiences one can have that are related to awakening and are not symptoms of pathology.  Why?  1. Because individuals having spiritually-transformative experiences were being mis-diagnosed as having mental illness.  2. These same people were often given just psychiatric medications to stop the experiences rather than education and appropriate support. 3. Also, these same people typically have gifts such as the ability to heal, to be empathic, effective therapists, to bring inspiration, inventions, and creative talents to enrich their communities.

Most of the sciences taught today spring from an understanding that what is real must be measurable through the 5 senses.  Even the social sciences taught in graduate schools do not typically cover the life-enhancing experiences that may come from meditation or religious practices, hatha yoga, or psychedelics and plant medicines.  These experiences of awakening well up from the deep unconscious and elude measurement by the 5 senses.  However, they can evoke positive transformation and wisdom and in this way be perceived as profoundly real.

Yes, if you comply with all the assessment requirements you will receive a digital diploma, issued by the Alef Trust. The requirements are:

  • To obtain a minimum of 83% (5 correct answers out of 6) in the quiz that will be released at the end of each module (there is one quiz per module, which means 7 quizzes in total). Note that you can retake these quizzes as many times as you need until you obtain the minimum required. Therefore, these quizzes are not really an assessment activity but a tool for you to test your knowledge of the webinars contents (and for us to know you have at least taken a look at the quiz questions and learned from your mistakes).
  • To obtain a minimum of 75% in the final test (which will be released at the end of the course). This is not difficult, in previous editions almost all participants who followed the course (attending or watching the webinars) passed this requirement.

If you fail the final test but comply with the requirement for the module quizzes, instead of a digital diploma you will receive a certificate of participation.

If you do not meet any of these two requirements you will not receive any official document confirming your participation in the course.

After successful completion of this certificate course with Alef Trust you will be able to continue your training and obtain a Spiritual Emergence Coach® certificate, issued by the Integrative Mental Health University (IMHU). The additional training required for this consists in a 2-day residential workshop taught by Emma Bragdon, PhD (founder & chair of IMHU). This workshop is managed by IMHU independently of the Alef Trust, and it is offered in two locations (one near Boston and the other in London) 2 or 3 times each year. Registration for this workshop is managed directly by IMHU and the dates and prices can be found on the website of IMHU, in this page: https://courses.imhu.org/courses/spiritual-emergence-coach-practicum

No, this course is taught entirely online. However, if after completing this course you want to obtain a Spiritual Emergence Coach® certificate you will have to complete an additional 2-day residential workshop taught by Emma Bragdon, PhD, of Integrative Mental Health University (IMHU). This workshop is offered in two locations (one near Boston and the other in London) 2 or 3 times each year. Registration for this workshop is independent from this Alef Trust course. The dates and prices can be found on the website of IMHU, in this page: https://courses.imhu.org/courses/spiritual-emergence-coach-practicum

Student stories

This course was incredibly helpful and insightful on how to support individuals undergoing a spiritual emergence / emergency process. I work as a psychotherapist trained in Transpersonal / Integral counseling and this course expanded upon my previous learnings, as well as provided a helpful framework for offering effective support. I also really appreciate the community element for continued growth and connection.

Rachel Davis, Licensed Mental Health Counselor

I appreciated the innovative and well-organized content, discussions, and Q&A opportunities. The thought-provoking course deepened my understanding of what constitutes a spiritual emergency and practical ways to support individuals experiencing it. The handouts and PowerPoint presentation were helpful resources for further reference. Thank you for this opportunity and your courage in championing this critical topic.

Erika Caspersen, Psychotherapist and Mindfulness Coach

Whether, or not, participants had experienced spiritual emegency or an awakening themselves, this was an expertly organised and delivered course which was both challenging and thought provoking.

Chris Wood, Hypnotherapist/Counsellor

I thoroughly enjoyed this very nuanced, insightful and illuminating course with IMHU and Alef Trust. The content felt bolstered by decades of experience, research and integration. It was fascinating, thought-provoking, and affirming of my own lived experience, helping me integrate certain events with deeper understanding.

Dana Toerien, Integral Coach

I am seeing an increasing number of people seeking support for spiritual emergence (SE) or spiritual emergency (SEY) and who feel misunderstood and alienated by others, including their healthcare providers. The SE and SEY training was extremely helpful [in meeting their needs. As a result] clients often make large therapeutic strides in alleviating psychological and emotional distress.

Lorna Busch, PhD, Licensed Psychologist

The course with Emma was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed it and appreciated her depth of her knowledge, expertise, experience and the breadth of material offered. … It feels so important to train more of us to bring this alternative to view and take the shame and stigma away from what can be a profoundly positive life-changing process.

Nicky Daly, Psychodynamic Therapist/Transpersonal Coach

Took the course as part of my own journey to integrate and comprehend my own SE and SEY. Has helped bring me home to a place a deeper peace and given me the cognitive framework/vocabulary I did not have before.

Anna Marie Deem, Person with lived-experience

The transpersonal orientation of the Alef Trust is an excellent container for the breadth and depth of Emma Bragdon’s commitment to spiritual transformation in our world so worthy of rescue.

Sandy Silva, Transpersonal Coach

This course is loaded with useful information. It has been life changing for me.

Linda Sherer, Licensed Social Worker

It was very informative and addressed the emotional component needed to heal. This is lost in conventional psychiatric care, it is so needed.

Carol Maute, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

I really enjoyed this course and was excited to see that so many health professionals could benefit by it. Our mental health is sorely lacking in knowledge on spiritual crisis and this course can fill in some of those gaps.

Tammy Harkies, Caretaker

Thrilled for this exposure to such a comprehensive and well-organized course on all things spiritual emergency. I highly recommend.

Daniel Schwartz, Peer Specialist

Highly recommend! This course opened my eyes so much and I see it helping me both personally and professionally. I feel as though anyone could benefit from the information. I’ve found myself becoming more grounded and aware of others’ situations both at work and in my daily life.

Natasha Forrester, Airline stewardess

Would you like to find out more?

CONTACT US WITH YOUR QUESTIONS
Alef Trust

Curriculum: year One

20 credits each
Approaches to Consciousness

Offers you a broad introduction to consciousness studies, cognitive neuroscience of consciousness, consciousness and spiritual traditions.

Find our more: Approaches to consciousness

Learning Through Integrative Practice

An 8-month experiential immersion in a personal programme of integrative practice, with the aim to foster whole-person development.

Individual needs and aspirations are considered in the development of the practice plan, and critical engagement with the practices is encouraged through regular webinars and reflective sessions.

Find out more: Learning Through Integrative Practice

Spiritual Psychology

Module leader: Dr. Ellis Linders

This module explores the changing meaning of spirituality in contemporary secular culture. Moreover, it identifies and examines the relationship between psychology and spirituality as a change in psycho-spiritual paradigm. The module is titled ‘spiritual psychology’ to reflect this relationship. Although there are many correspondences, spiritual psychology differs from transpersonal psychology in that it specifically draws on spiritual traditions and new or ‘neo’ spiritual expressions. 

As a student, you will choose two specialist options (see SPECIALIST OPTIONS tab for all courses) to explore which each reflect an expression of contemporary spiritual engagement. They also exemplify approaches in which spiritual traditions and their practices are viewed through the lens of contemporary psychology. The psychological lens allows issues of definition, measurement, and frameworks concerning spiritual experience to be critically evaluated according to scientific principles.

Specialist options for the Spiritual Psychology module - Select two
Embodied Presence

Tutor: Dr. Tamara Russell

This module option provides an exploration of embodied presence and what it means to live our human experience in a body. In an increasingly disconnected and disembodied world, true embodied presence is becoming a scarcity. Even in the transpersonal world, a fixation with “up and out” (out of body, psychedelics and a move away from the material) means that the wisdom and grounding of the body is easily lost, and the possibility of spiritual bypass is very real. In most spiritual traditions, a deep connection with, and examination of, the body (in stillness and movement) is fundamental to the spiritual path.

Find out more: Embodied Presence

Entheogens and Psychedelics

Tutor: Pascal Michael, PhD

Taking a cross-disciplinary and multi-cultural approach, this module option explores transpersonal and transformative qualities of the psychedelic experience, illuminating its meanings and implications for individuals and communities.

Find out more: Entheogens and Psychedelics

Feminine Spiritualities

Tutor: Dr. Kendra Ford

Feminine Spiritualities refers to a spectrum of perspectives, practices, histories, and cultures that balance on the fine edges of feminism, contemporary spirituality, psychological theory, and mystical traditions. This option is an embodied and critical exploration of the feminine principle within psychological, religious and spiritual contexts.

Find out more: Feminine Spiritualities

Shamanistic Psychology

Tutor: Dr. Steven Schmitz

Shamanism is the oldest spiritual tradition known to humankind and continues to be relevant in our contemporary world. For tens of thousands of years shamans have developed and used their technologies (knowledge, tools, skills) for shifting consciousness and for accessing the spirit realms for guidance, healing, and transformation.

Find out more: Shamanistic Psychology

Spirituality and the Imaginal

Tutor: Dr. Lila Moore

This module option explores the imaginal as an evolving phenomenon that has shaped the human spiritual experience: from Paleolithic cave art, altered states, and mythic rituals to the intersection of modern esoteric and spiritual movements, the creative arts and healing arts.

Find out more: Spirituality and the Imaginal

Transpersonal Dreaming

Tutor Dr. Tadas Stumbrys

In this module option, we study transpersonal dimensions of dreaming, drawing on scientific research and historical/spiritual traditions. We will explore the world of lucid dreaming and its potentials for growth and transformation.

Find out more: Transpersonal Dreaming

Curriculum: year two

20 credits each
Transpersonal Psychology

Transpersonal psychology (TP) studies phenomena beyond the ego and their transformative and healing potential. Adopting the perspective that the human being is intimately interconnected to the cosmos in many ways, TP acknowledges the relevance and value of spiritual, mystical, and other exceptional human experiences.

The course covers the major theoretical orientations within TP, and the models they propose to understand these experiences and situate them in the larger context of human transformation and spiritual development.

The course also covers other complementary topics which reflect the growing edges of TP as a vibrant and multifaceted field.

Find out more: Transpersonal Psychology

Research Design

Our Research Design module provides a grounding in qualitative research methods.

Students venture into transpersonal approaches to research, offering you an introduction to methods which embrace embodied, intuitive and creative ways of expanding the human knowledge base.

Research Design allows students to work with these methods in a research project, tackling the philosophical and ethical issues surrounding transpersonal psychology methods.

Such as:

  • The centrality of transformation for both researcher and participants
  • Issues that arise when participants’ most meaningful experiences may be scrutinised
  • Issues where practices may be evaluated for efficacy, and ideas concerning changing paradigms in psychological science

Find out more: Research Design

Applied Transformative Psychology

Module leader: Dr. Jessica Bockler

Applied transformative psychology focuses on the ways in which transpersonal, integrative, and spiritual perspectives can be applied in practice, considering personal and professional pathways and ethics of transformation. The concept of inner development is examined in the context of evolving ideas and theories exploring personal and systemic/collective change; and questions of ethical engagement in contemporary contexts are considered in the light of the evolving meta-crises of our times. 

Students are encouraged to explore their own professional practice in relation to two of the specialist options (see SPECIALIST OPTIONS tab for all courses).

Specialist options for the Applied transformative psychology module — Select two
Creativity and Transformation

Tutor: Dr. Jessica Bockler

In this option we explore the nature of creativity and its relationship to human development and growth, as well as its relevance for social change. The evolving crises of our time call for inner and outer changes in our ways of being and doing. In Together, we consider how we can draw on our creativity to enable and support generative change processes in ourselves and in those we work with.

Find out more: Creativity and Transformation

Integrative Medicine

Tutor: Dr. Hennie Geldenhuys

This option explores the mind-body-spirit paradigm and its implications for an integrative and holistic approach to wellness and healthcare. Health, disease, healing and the psychosomatic are viewed through a transpersonal but pragmatic lens.

Find out more: Integrative Medicine

Multidimensional Trauma & Transformation

Tutor: Dr. Regina U. Hess

We will explore multidimensional applications for the transformation of individual, transgenerational, and ecological trauma drawing on clinical, transpersonal, indigenous, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy approaches and research. The goal is to support the person’s innate capacity to restore the mind-body-spirit-balance and eventually wholeness, including such dimensions as interpersonal relationships and relationships with nature, the cosmos, culture, and the community.

Find out more: Multidimensional Trauma & Transformation

Transpersonal Coaching Psychology

Tutor: Jevon Dängeli

Transpersonal Coaching Psychology (TCP) can be described as the theory and practice of coaching that takes a holistic and integrative approach to support client growth and transformation. In this option we explore the basis and value of a transpersonal approach to coaching.

Find out more: Transpersonal Coaching Psychology

Transpersonal Ecopsychology

Tutor: Paul Maiteny

We are living in extremely destabilised times. We humans are undermining life-support ecosystems essential to life itself, ecological, social and personal. It is a tragic irony that we have been doing so with the aim of making our lives better. We have now reached the threshold point where the destructive results of our priorities and action is confronting us full-on. Yet, we are continuing to seek technological ‘solutions and fixes’ using the same motivations and types of thinking as have caused the devastation in the first place. 

Transpersonal Ecopsychology provides a new way of thinking about and understanding human meaning and purpose as embedded participants in the ecosystem, rather than in the binary way of thinking of ourselves as ‘other’ to ‘nature’ and ‘the environment’. 

Find our more: Transpersonal Ecopsychology: Knowing your role in a conscious Earth

Transpersonal Counselling and Psychotherapy

Tutor: Dr. Gabriel Fernandez Borsot

Transpersonal approaches to psychotherapy situate the process of psychological healing and maturation in the wider context of spiritual development. This option explores the main features of these approaches, and their associated techniques and models.

Find out more: Transpersonal Counselling and Psychotherapy

Curriculum: year THREE

60 credits

The curriculum in the first two years of study provides students with the necessary skills to conduct a research project in their third year of study. Under the supervision of a faculty member, students choose an area of interest to explore in depth through an original study.

Research projects often adopt experiential and introspective approaches as well as traditional scientific approaches while exploring topics that emphasise the interrelationships between the somatic, psychological, social and spiritual levels of explanation.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

We at Alef Trust believe that education is a fundamental human right, which should accordingly not be subject to taxation. Moreover, education is key to building communities, societies, and cultures, which we also believe places it in a category for which taxation is counterproductive. Unfortunately, the legislative powers in many countries do not agree with our perspective.

Recent changes in rules governing taxation, especially in the EU, have meant that students on our online programmes resident in some countries will have to pay GST on top of the programme fee. The UK, which is the jurisdiction in which Alef Trust is located, does not impose GST (known as VAT in the UK) on educational fees. However, legislative changes mean that the determining factor for GST is no longer the country in which education is delivered but the country in which the “consumer”—in our case, the student studying on an Alef Trust programme—resides. Consequently, students who are resident in countries which impose GST on educational fees will be charged the GST by Alef Trust since Alef Trust is responsible for paying the tax in their country of residence.

The treatment of GST on distance learning is an evolving situation in many countries, if tax is deemed to be chargeable part way through your course this could be added to your future course fees. We will not apply GST to invoices that have previously been issued. Alef Trust will not levy any charge on top of the tax liability; any administrative cost will be covered by Alef Trust

At the time of writing, the table below indicates some of the countries charging GST on educational fees and the tax rate. The situation remains fluid and there may be changes to this table in the future. We will update the information as soon as we are able to determine the current situation. You are strongly advised to check the current situation in your country. Some countries allow exemptions for certain kinds of online educational programmes. Our MSc and PhD programmes, for example, may be exempt for GST purposes in your country. You must check—a local tax office should be able to advise you. Alef Trust will not levy any charge on top of the tax liability; any administrative cost will be covered by Alef Trust.

WEBINAR SCHEDULE

A main feature of our online teaching environment is that required webinars are taught live and also recorded, which allows for synchronous involvement in content and lively discussions during the question-and-answer portions of webinars for those in attendance.

Webinars are generally scheduled well in advance, and are held on a varied schedule between 9:00-21:00 UK time.

Although we cannot commit to accommodate all time zones for all webinars, we hope for students in our global community to have the opportunity for synchronous participation throughout the programme. When live attendance is not possible, recordings of webinars are available almost immediately and can be viewed at a convenient time, making the programme accessible regardless of location in the world. 

One-to-one and group meetings with personal tutors are scheduled at mutually convenient times.

Please note that whilst we do our utmost to give you advance notice, some flexibility in accommodating schedule changes and additional dates may be needed as and when they become available. This programme weaves a complex tapestry of asynchronous and live events befitting Master’s level study with a wide range of teachers. We therefore advise you that some flexibility will be needed on your part to join this programme and make the most of what it has to offer.

LEARNING APPROACHES

Our students enjoy a rich and interactive learning experience. Transformative learning methods are utilised in all our modules, which support a deep level of self-inquiry while fostering connection with experiential learning of programme content, research skills, and academic, professional and personal growth. 

INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES

 

  • Live teaching webinars
  • Live sessions involving experiential practices
  • Student presentations

A SHARED LEARNING JOURNEY 

 

  • Reflective group meetings
  • Peer group work
  • Individual and group supervision

STUDY AT YOUR OWN PACE

 

  • Written discussion forums
  • Study of course materials
  • Personal practice and projects

WHOLE-PERSON SUPPORT

 

  • Personal tutor support
  • Academic skills support
  • Wellbeing support

CONTENT DELIVERY
The programme is 100% online and presented via synchronous and asynchronous webinars where students engage with faculty and each other. All coursework is taught on our learning management system, Canvas.

ONBOARDING
To support students in gaining foundational skills for MSc study, the Alef trust offers an introductory online course in APA referencing and academic writing skills, which incoming students are invited to take prior to the start of term. This enables those who are unfamiliar with APA formatting, as well as those who have been out of education for some time, to feel more prepared for embarking on their MSc.

ASSESSMENT

Course assessments are mainly in the form of written essays and reports. Several assignments encourage use of creative media to express the learning journeys, and students can choose to do this in ways that meet their creative skills and interests. Examples include visual art, music, creative writing, and videos. A number of modules include asynchronous forum participation. Some modules also include group project assessments which involve live presentations and attendance at presentations by peers.

Your schedule will require some flexibility to accommodate these in all three years of the programme.

In the final year, you conduct your own research project under supervision. Assessment of this final-year module involves a research dissertation, online presentation, and a blog-style post.

Depending on the nature and weighting of the assignment, these are either 2,000, 3,000 or 4,500 words in required length, and the final dissertation is 10,000-12,000 words, depending on the methodology used.

LIBRARY ACCESS

As a student enrolled on a collaborative programme with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) you have access to a range of LJMU’s electronic library resources.

This includes an extensive selection of relevant books and journals, as well as academic learning resources oriented towards the ongoing development of skills such as scholarly writing.

Visual Map of the MSc PROGRAMME

Year 1
Orientation
7503ALEFTP Learning Through Integrative Practice (20 Credits)
7501ALEFTP Approaches to Consciousness (20 Credits)
7502ALEFTP Spiritual Psychology (20 Credits)
Year 2
7504ALEFTP Transpersonal psychology (20 Credits)
7506ALEFTP Research Design (20 Credits)
7505ALEFTP Applied Transformative Psychology (20 Credits)
Year 3
7503ALEFTP Learning Through Integrative Practice (20 Credits)
SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

Visual Map of the MSc PROGRAMME

Year One
Orientation
7503ALEFTP Learning Through Integrative Practice (20 Credits)
7501ALEFTP Approaches to Consciousness (20 Credits)
7502ALEFTP Spiritual Psychology (20 Credits)
+ Two Specialist Options
Year Two
7504ALEFTP Transpersonal psychology (20 Credits)
7506ALEFTP Research Design (20 Credits)
7505ALEFTP Applied Transformative Psychology (20 Credits) + Two Specialist Options
Year Three
7500ALEFTP Research Dissertation (60 Credits)

Alternative track: 1-year Postgraduate Certificate

Students wishing to gain a Postgraduate Certificate can enrol on the MSc route and complete their studies after gaining 60 credits in year 1.

Alternative track: 2-year Postgraduate Diploma

Students wishing to gain a Postgraduate Diploma can enrol on the MSc route and complete their studies after gaining 120 credits by the end of year 2.

Alternative track: 2-year MSc

The Alef Trust MSc in Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology is validated by Liverpool John Moores University in two programme formats. Students normally take the three-year part-time programme, although a two-year part-time programme is also available. Obviously, the primary difference between these programmes concerns the duration of study. However, there are additional considerations that applicants must take into account when deciding on their preferred programme of study:

Your qualifications: In order to be considered for the two-year programme, you must have a degree in psychology or a cognate science discipline, with a minimum grade of 2:1 (UK university system) or equivalent (non-UK universities).

Time availability: In order to be considered for the two-year programme, you must clearly demonstrate that you are able to commit to studying for approximately 25-35 hours per week.

Maturity: Our MSc is not simply an exercise in academic learning. The ethos underpinning the programme – confirmed by reflections from graduates – is one of students embarking on a developmental journey that entails deep maturation of their aspirations, relationships, and inner quests. In the experience of both staff and graduates this journey is most effective when taken over three years. In evaluating applications for the two-year programme, the admissions team will explore with the applicant their readiness to achieve the programme goals in only two years.

Shared experience: The journey is one in which forming bonds with those in your cohort can be highly beneficial. A student on the two-year pathway will straddle two cohorts, which may make this aspect of the experience more difficult. Again, the applicant’s resilience in this regard will be considered by the admissions team. Structurally, the arrangement of modules is broadly similar across the two pathways in years 1 and 2. The critical difference for those on the two-year pathway is that the Research Design module comes in year 1, and the Research Dissertation in Year 2.

Readiness to undertake research: The deeply reflective experiential, whole-person, learning which is at the core of this programme takes time to gestate during the first two years for most students, and culminates with the research dissertation in the third year. Applicants for the two-year programme will be expected to demonstrate to the admissions team that they have a preliminary plan about their potential research. If you wish to be considered for the two-year pathway, please indicate this in the application form. Our admissions team will contact you to arrange an interview to discuss whether this could be a suitable option for you.

If you wish to be considered for the two-year pathway, please indicate this in the application form. Our admissions team will contact you to arrange an interview to discuss whether this could be an appropriate option for you.

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