Research in Progress: Assisting in the Integration of Spiritually Transformative Experiences, a Cross-Cultural Study—Update with preliminary results from 2014 Indonesian research study and recent interviews from Australasia

Abstract

Co-Researchers: Principal Researcher Marie Grace Brook, PhD, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Co-Researcher Kylie Harris, PhD, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Description of Presentation: This Power Point and video presentation is a progress report in a larger global project that involves interviewing psychologists, spiritual leaders/teachers and indigenous healers/shamans using four actual US case studies of STErs who were challenged in integrating their STE. The presentation will include (1) an update to the report on the Indonesia interviews (introduced at the 2014 ACISTE conference) in the form of a ten-minute video clip and PowerPoint summary of preliminary results, and (2) PowerPoint presentation describing 2019 interviews from Southeast Australia (Melbourne area), the Outback (Northern Territory), and New Zealand. Interviews in South America and North America are planned for 2020 and 2021.

Research Question: How do different cultures and types of practitioners provide assistance for individuals who need help integrating STEs?”

Research Hypothesis: Current practices used to assist individuals to integrate STEs within the Western medical paradigm may be expanded by incorporating information and worldviews from other cultures.

Purpose of Research: is to collect empirical knowledge regarding best practices in assisting clients and their families in integrating spiritually transformative experiences, including highlighting deficiencies in our current practices and providing tangible suggestions for new best practice guidelines.

Presenter Bio

Marie Grace Brook, PhD, LCSW, ACMHP, ACSGC holds a BA from Duke University, MSW from Denver University, Masters Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Fordham University, and PhD from Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. She has worked as a mountain guide, healing artist (Rolfer and craniosacral therapist), hospice social worker, graduate school adjunct teacher, spiritual director/supervisor and researcher. Her papers have been published in NASW’s Children & Schools, SDI’s Presence, ITA’s International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, ProQuest Dissertations, and APA Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. Dr. Brook has presented research studies at the following conferences: APA’s Div. 36 Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, Association for Transpersonal Psychology, and ACISTE in the USA. Internationally she has presented for the International Congress for Complementary and Integrative Medicine Research in South Korea, European Transpersonal Association Conference in Italy, the International Transpersonal Conference for Education and Humanities in Indonesia, the International Transpersonal Psychology Conference in Brazil, and the Transpersonal Research Symposium in France. Dr. Brook lives in Santa Cruz with her husband, Peter, has a private practice in spiritual direction specializing in supporting people integrating spiritually transformative experiences, and teaches at the Villa Maria del Mar Spiritual Direction Program. Dr. Brook’s ongoing research inquires into how people integrate STEs.