This study attempts to determine , through research of the literature of transpersonal psychology, if a specific paradigm for psychotherapy is present in that literature.
The research is viewed from a theme analysis perspective which attempts to isolate the major characteristics of the description s circumscribing transpersonal psychotherapy that emerged consistently . Certain consistent patterns did, in fact, emerge.
The articles are considered against a background that includes the historical appearance of the trans personal movement, the influence of Eastern traditions, a transpersonal model of the person, and various conceptualizations of therapy, transformation, and ultimate liberation.
An appendix is included consisting of reviews of therapy- related articles that appeared in The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology from its inception in 1969 through 1984.
The study concludes that although a transpersonal condition may exist in therapy under certain circumstances , no evidence appeared to confirm the existence of a discrete and generally applicable psychotherapeutic paradigm as the term is defined at the outset of this thesis
