"Psychiatry, medicine of the soul"
An International Association of Spiritual Psychiatry was founded in 1994 to promote the integration of the spiritual dimension into modern medicine, psychology and psychiatry.
The association rallied about 250 members from many countries who together will try to participate in
the creation of a psycho-spiritual medicine integrating scientific thought and
mystical insight. Since its creation, the IASP has also been opened to the non-health
professionals, in order to encourage a more global reflection. Thus, it was not
necessary to be a therapist to become an IASP member.
- London, Saturday June 19th. 1999 : Bridges to Spiritual Awareness - Emerging Approaches to Mental
Health.
A one day conference.
- The IASP has already organized several International conferences. The topics were invitations to offer a new perspective into concepts widely used by conventional approaches to psychology and psychiatry. Most of the abstracts are directly available from this site.
In parallel, the IASP has developed a work involving religions, aimed at promoting a better understanding of the common denominator of the diverse religions and integrating self-knowledge and self-understanding in the field of religions. Three International conferences have been already organized since 1994 in Israel, country of birth of the three Abrahamic religions:
The IASP had also be represented in some International meetings:
Its journal published original articles which try to create a bridge between therapy and spirituality. It is published twice a year, in the spring and in the autumn, is edited in English and French, and contains a detailed members' directory, including biography, training, therapeutic orientation and full addresses.
The activities were various: conferences, lectures, workshops, creation of psycho-spiritual medicine centers, forum Internet on spiritual approaches to medicine, psychology and psychiatry, cooperation with other associations, etc..
An Internet forum named 'Spiramed' was created at the beginning of Summer 1995, with the help of the Saint Johns of University, New York, N.Y.C.. Today there are about 200 subscribers and a level of activity of about 10-20 daily messages. The topic of this inspiring forum is "spiritual approach to medicine, psychology and psychiatry". The access is free.
A second forum on "Psycho-Spiritual Approaches to Suicide" was set up. You will find some information at http://www.essence-euro.org/iasp/suicide.html
The audio-tapes of most of the conferences are available in French or English (depending the countries).
The association has published,
in French, a first book ("Méditation
et Psychothérapie", éd. Le
Fennec, 1995).
Two other books in French and one in English are in preparation.
The IASP was using for its administrative functioning the framework of a non-profit association named Essence, based in France.
As the non profit organization closed in December 2002, there is no possible membership
You are also welcome to visit our IASP Associate Site.
For further information about IASP activities, please
contact the current IASP coordinator:
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