Friday, October 24, 2008

New-age Thinking

Departing form the traditional therapist/client setup are self-help methods grouped under the banner "New Age", ranging form one-on-one Eastern relaxation techniques to goddess worship. (A little healthy skepticism is warranted in this category for there is little regulation) The two main tendencies are what might be called "peaceful existence" and "mind/body".

Practical existence
Rather than the healing of any diagnosed problems, the goal is self-awareness and serenity, achieved with the help of lectures, group sessions and reading materials - by such gurus as Marianne Williamson (A Woman's Worth; Random House) and M. Scott Peck (Further Along the Road Less Traveled; Simon & Schuster).

Mind/Body
Practitioners claim the body can heal when the mind transcends itself. Examples: phoenix Rising, which combines yoga and traditional therapy, and Bioenergetics, which works to release repressed emotions via breathing, talk therapy, massage and exercises.

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