Universal Curative Processes
12/27/10: We all have things we do to improve our lives and feel better, but are there any things that would work for everyone? One of the more exciting threads of psychology research to me right now is in finding things that can universally help people. The following is a brief overview of the hypothesized 10 "curative processes," and some practical suggestions to help you access a few of them.
What is a Curative Process?
The main line of this work has been proposed by Andreas Dick-Neiderhauser at Univ of Redlands. Essentially, a curative process is something that a person can engage in, sometimes over a longer period of time, that produces a positive change within the person. This goes beyond increasing happiness (which I wrote about here), but gets more to deeper, therapeutic change. It might seem complex right now, but when you see the list it makes more sense.
Curative Processes
The following is the proposed list. The key is that each process may be needed at a different point in our lives.
1. Self Acceptance: This includes acceptance of feelings and wishes, and of problematic aspects of the self. Essentially when we can stop judging ourselves, stop fighting with our emotions, thoughts, and desires, and accept things about us that aren't fitting in with our ideal views of ourselves, a deeper, positive change happens.
2. Acceptance of Others: Accepting others the way they are (not as we wish them to be), and finding empathy, compassion, and understanding for them can create an amazing change in the quality of our relationships. For more on these first two, see my post on "Developing Self-Compassion".
3. Acceptance of the Course of Life: Beyond fighting with parts of ourselves and others, we also tend to battle against the general course of life. Being able to accept the aging process, the ups and downs of life, and finding meaning in our activities, are elements that create a more peaceful and healthy life.
4. Liberation: This includes getting freedom from anxieties and binds to the past, possibly real forces that prohibit our growth (unfulfilling work, an unhealthy relationship, an oppressive social system, etc), and experiencing courage and personal strength.
5. Trusting Others: If we have been hurt by others breaking trust or being unreliable, finding people that you can trust can have a large therapeutic effect. Sometimes it takes the courage from #4 to help us get to this.
6. Being Present: This includes being able to deeply engage in the activities we are doing at this exact moment without distraction, and enjoying sensual experiences (good food, sex, the warm sun, etc) without interference from our critical mind.
7. Creativity: A lot of research has been done over the past few decades on the therapeutic effects of creative self-expression, which can be in writing, art, dance, music, or any other form. Many of us had a creative passion as children, but we often lose touch with it in adulthood. Reconnecting to this can be therapeutic.
8. Attainment of Goals: Striving for goals by itself increases happiness, but if we meet our goals, especially if they are intrinsically valuable, there can be a larger effect. This is closely related to #9.
9. Meeting Authentic Needs: When we are able to let go of goals that were not genuinely ours, or were not healthy for us (e.g. a compulsive drive for incredible wealth), and replace those with goals that meet our needs (relatedness, autonomy, competence, balance, fun, etc), there can be a large scale change in our wellbeing.
10. Connecting to Something Greater: Many people will report a major positive change when they can regularly connect to something greater than themselves, whether that is in a spiritual or religious context, or being connected to a group during an activity or mission.
One I would add to the list is "Awareness of Our Mortality". A lot of research has demonstrated that we have major changes in behavior and views toward ourselves, others, and the world when we have the fragile nature of our lives in mind, and I think this can lead to lasting therapeutic change if it can be remembered.
Another to consider is "Being in a Loving Relationship". Many therapists including myself believe that change, healing, and happiness grows in connection with others that love and accept us. That is part of why counseling works, and I would add it to the curative processes.
So if something on this list captures your attention, or seems to be the next place for you to grow, see what you can do to take some steps toward that today. If you get stuck, or there are some obstacles standing in your way, counseling can be a great help.
What is a Curative Process?
The main line of this work has been proposed by Andreas Dick-Neiderhauser at Univ of Redlands. Essentially, a curative process is something that a person can engage in, sometimes over a longer period of time, that produces a positive change within the person. This goes beyond increasing happiness (which I wrote about here), but gets more to deeper, therapeutic change. It might seem complex right now, but when you see the list it makes more sense.
Curative Processes
The following is the proposed list. The key is that each process may be needed at a different point in our lives.
1. Self Acceptance: This includes acceptance of feelings and wishes, and of problematic aspects of the self. Essentially when we can stop judging ourselves, stop fighting with our emotions, thoughts, and desires, and accept things about us that aren't fitting in with our ideal views of ourselves, a deeper, positive change happens.
2. Acceptance of Others: Accepting others the way they are (not as we wish them to be), and finding empathy, compassion, and understanding for them can create an amazing change in the quality of our relationships. For more on these first two, see my post on "Developing Self-Compassion".
3. Acceptance of the Course of Life: Beyond fighting with parts of ourselves and others, we also tend to battle against the general course of life. Being able to accept the aging process, the ups and downs of life, and finding meaning in our activities, are elements that create a more peaceful and healthy life.
4. Liberation: This includes getting freedom from anxieties and binds to the past, possibly real forces that prohibit our growth (unfulfilling work, an unhealthy relationship, an oppressive social system, etc), and experiencing courage and personal strength.
5. Trusting Others: If we have been hurt by others breaking trust or being unreliable, finding people that you can trust can have a large therapeutic effect. Sometimes it takes the courage from #4 to help us get to this.
6. Being Present: This includes being able to deeply engage in the activities we are doing at this exact moment without distraction, and enjoying sensual experiences (good food, sex, the warm sun, etc) without interference from our critical mind.
7. Creativity: A lot of research has been done over the past few decades on the therapeutic effects of creative self-expression, which can be in writing, art, dance, music, or any other form. Many of us had a creative passion as children, but we often lose touch with it in adulthood. Reconnecting to this can be therapeutic.
8. Attainment of Goals: Striving for goals by itself increases happiness, but if we meet our goals, especially if they are intrinsically valuable, there can be a larger effect. This is closely related to #9.
9. Meeting Authentic Needs: When we are able to let go of goals that were not genuinely ours, or were not healthy for us (e.g. a compulsive drive for incredible wealth), and replace those with goals that meet our needs (relatedness, autonomy, competence, balance, fun, etc), there can be a large scale change in our wellbeing.
10. Connecting to Something Greater: Many people will report a major positive change when they can regularly connect to something greater than themselves, whether that is in a spiritual or religious context, or being connected to a group during an activity or mission.
One I would add to the list is "Awareness of Our Mortality". A lot of research has demonstrated that we have major changes in behavior and views toward ourselves, others, and the world when we have the fragile nature of our lives in mind, and I think this can lead to lasting therapeutic change if it can be remembered.
Another to consider is "Being in a Loving Relationship". Many therapists including myself believe that change, healing, and happiness grows in connection with others that love and accept us. That is part of why counseling works, and I would add it to the curative processes.
So if something on this list captures your attention, or seems to be the next place for you to grow, see what you can do to take some steps toward that today. If you get stuck, or there are some obstacles standing in your way, counseling can be a great help.
