Below is the IYS/ Path of Ease and Grace Depression study which has shown excellent results in helping people with depression. Please contact Cooranbong Harmony Centre PH (02)49773300 and ask for Jagatambe or Shakti Durga or email jagatambe@shantimission.org should you wish to get further information or for us to make a presentation about this research to any interested group of people.
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Ignite Your Spirit
Pilot study of personal
development and energetic healing group program among people with depression
Dr Renay Greig
Clinical Psychologist
December 2009
Ignite Your Spirit Wellness: Pilot study of personal
development and energetic healing group program among people with depression
Background
The World Health
Organization and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) have identified
complementary and alternative medicines as an area of strategic importance for
the years 2007 – 2009 inclusive. There is a growing body of scientific
literature to suggest that techniques traditionally considered outside of
western medical paradigms are effective models of therapy. Three areas of
research pertinent to the current study are (i) energetic healing (Collinge,
Wentworth, & Sabo, 2005; Shore, 2004) (ii) energy psychology (Feinstein,
2008) and (iii) meditation (Arias,
Steinberg, Banga, & Trestman, 2006), all of which have growing scientific support as treatments for
mental health issues.
The application
of complementary and alternative treatments to depression is particularly
significant given depression is one of the leading causes of disability world
wide and is the fourth leading contributor to the global burden of disease in
2000, yet currently fewer than 25 % of those affected have access to effective
treatments (WHO, 2008). Moreover, complementary treatments for individuals are
commonly used and have been judged as highly effectively by those with clinical
depression (Parker
& Crawford, 2007).
Path of Ease and Grace & Ignite
Your Spirit Therapy
Path of Ease and
Grace seminars and Ignite Your Spirit therapy (an energy healing modality) have
been implemented among a broad range of adults, including those with depression
and other mental health issues, through the Harmony Centre Foundation since
2004. The Ignite Your Spirit therapy training program has been accredited by
the Energetic Healers Association of Australia and the International Institute
for Complementary Therapists, and there are currently over 40 licensees. The
Path of Ease and Grace seminars utilize an understanding of the energy body to
empower participants to change their unhelpful thought patterns, deal with
emotions and improve their communication with others. Anecdotally, the effects
of these interventions are promising (for further information see
www.harmonycentrefoundation.org).
The Wellness Study
The aim of this pilot
study was to scientifically assess whether the Ignite Your Spirit Group program
can produce positive changes in the mental health and wellbeing among people
with moderate to severe depression.
The “The Wellness Study” ran over 8 weeks
and participants were taught about the relationship between the symptoms of
depression and a suboptimal energy body. They were taught skills from the Path
of Ease and Grace for cleaning and sweeping the aura, grounding, dealing with
emotions, dealing with unhelpful thoughts, improving self esteem, and ways to
connect with the Divine and ignite their spirit though meditation. Every week the
principal therapist, Shakti Durga, led a healing meditation and each participant
also received one individual Ignite Your Spirit healing throughout the course
of the program.
The research involved collecting baseline
data (demographic data, clinical interview with a registered psychologist and
self-report symptom questionnaires), and conducting follow-up assessments
(repeating baseline data collection and assessing treatment received) following
the eight week Ignite Your Spirit group intervention. A baseline, mid, and post
treatment self report questionnaire was also administered to track changes in
depression, anxiety and stress over time. Finally, participants were invited to
provide qualitative feedback and testimonial at the end of the study.
Results
The results have been statistically and
clinically significant; the main findings are described below:
Baseline demographics
ð
Mean age
43.52 (19-63)
ð
Predominately
female 21 (77.8%)
ð
Australian
born 19 (70.4%)
ð
Largely
single, never married 10 (37.0%) or divorced 7 (25.9%)
ð
With one
or more children 15 (55.5%)
ð
However
most 21 (77.8%) did not have children living at home
ð
Most lived
with a partner 11 (40.7%) or alone 8 (29.6%)
ð
Majority
renting 14 (51.9%)
ð
About half
we unemployed 13 (48.1) and on government benefits 14 (51.9) as a primary
source of income
Pre and post treatment
findings
Depression
Of the 27 participants who began the study,
20 completed the program follow-up, a good retention rate among this
population. To be eligible for the study at baseline, participants had to reach
moderate to severe levels of depressive symptomatology and have a diagnosis of
depressive disorder confirmed by their mental heath professional or GP. The
mean level of depression among the group at baseline, as rated on the depression
scale of the Depression Anxiety and Scale (DASS) was 27.1, which is severe to
extremely severe depression. By follow up this had significantly reduced to
10.5 [t(19)
= 6.05, p < 0.001], classified as mild depression (where below 10 on this scale is
normal), as displayed in figure 1.
Figure 1: Depression scores pre and post treatment
Anxiety
Levels of anxiety were also significantly
reduced from the severe to normal range [t(19) = 4.04, p
< 0.001] as displayed in figure 2.
Figure 2: Anxiety scores pre and post treatment
Stress
Levels of stress were also significantly
reduced from the moderate to normal range [t(19) = 5.81, p
< 0.001] as displayed in figure 3.
Figure 3: Stress scores pre and post treatment
Life satisfaction
Life satisfaction significantly improved [t(19) = 4.13, p < 0.001] as displayed in figure 4. The
normative range for Western means is 70-80 points. The normative range for
Australia is 73.4 – 76.4 points. This was a vast change for such a short period
(8 weeks), as group means are generally stable over time.
Figure 4: Life satisfaction scores pre and post treatment
Self esteem
Self esteem significantly improved [t(19) = 3.62, p < 0.01] as displayed in figure 5.
Figure 5: Self esteem scores pre and post
treatment
Dysfunctional Attitudes
There was a significant
reduction in dysfunctional attitudes, (depressionogenic “schemas” constituting predispositions to
depression) [t(19) = 4.15, p
< 0.01] as displayed in figure 6. This was a clinically significant reduction,
bringing the mean score for the group into the normal range for the adult
general population whose mean (SD) was reported to be 115 (26) in an analysis
of 35 normative samples (Dozois,
Covin, & Brinker, 2003).
Clinical
observations and testimonials
The majority of participants displayed
marked clinical and psychosocial changes including a reduction in depression,
anxiety and stress, improved quality of life, improved relationships and
improved general functioning. Others reported quitting smoking, improved sleep,
increased energy and exercise, and reduced physical pain.
Here are some of the testimonials:
What
I enjoyed about this group was that it gave me an opportunity to explore my own
spiritual truth & give myself permission to heal, rewrite my internal
monologue & nurture myself with positive affirmations. The focus was not on
anxiety and depression but on healing symptoms though meditation, breath work
& belief in self as a healing agent.
Anonymous
Coming
to the Harmony Centre has given me the tool to cope with my depression and
anxiety. During that time I haven’t had one thought of hurting myself or having
negative self talk. I have felt the change in myself and feel much calmer and
happier with my life and within. My husband commented that I look different,
for the better. Antje,
51
In
week one when I arrived I had to hold onto the rail and help pull myself up the
stairs and slept on the train coming and going. Everything was an enormous
effort so things did not get done. During week seven I swam a total of 2km,
rode a bicycle 5km, walked more than 20km and went out with new friends. I will
continue to radiate myself with light, love and peace and be grateful for the
energy I draw intro myself and the wonderful experiences of life that happen
now. I do this with my god, teachers and friends.
Damien,
53
I
went to the course suffering from bad depression: symptoms included memory
loss, sleep disturbance, loss of emotions and motivation, chronic fatigue and
negative thinking etc. the program helped me in ways I did not expect, slowly
the giant obelisk of dark stone is being chipped away. I’m no longer suffocated
and crushed in the great depths of cold and dark ocean, I have love and
gratitude now. I’m able to see my thoughts more as the powerful and wondrous
connection to the supreme. I am responsible to my spirit and my life. To be taught
the connection between myself and the supreme is a great gift as is the love
and nourishment given at the centre.
Michael,
40
I
wholeheartedly recommend the group to anyone experiencing depression, self
doubt, or needing direction and clarity in their lives. A very loving and
nurturing environment with fantastic facilitators who teach and guide you with
skills, tools, knowledge and encouragement to heal your life.
Jenny, 46
The
emptiness, utter hollowness, meaninglessness & despair that haunted my life
previously have transformed into a consciousness that has finally experienced the
tremendous joy and brightness of being. Though the blessed study, though the
guidance, love, support and healing of Kim (Shakti
Durga), Renay (Jagatambe) and
other helpers, the lights have some on inside me and have shone out the
darkness. The shadow now shines, and I feel like a being reborn, I have opened
the door to the happiness that was sitting patiently within me- and have
retuned to m true self. This study, this journey, has been a spiritual
awakening and has significantly altered every aspect on my life. If you are suffering
from the unbearable pain, heaviness, emptiness, confusion of depression and/or
anxiety, I whole heartedly urge you to take part in this study. But be prepared
for a completely different life.
Meelah,
25
Conclusion
The results of the statistical analyses reflect
the profound clinical changes observed in, and reported by the group. Specifically
the results show that the Ignite Your Spirit Program effectively reduced levels
of depression, anxiety, stress and dysfunctional thinking patterns held among
the group. Similarly, participants displayed significant improvements in self
esteem and life satisfaction. This important research will pave the way for
future larger sponsored studies investigating these valuable Path of Ease and
Grace tools.
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References
Arias, A. J.,
Steinberg, K., Banga, A., & Trestman, R. L. (2006). Systematic review of
the efficacy of meditation techniques as treatments for medical illness.[see
comment]. Journal of Alternative &
Complementary Medicine, 12(8), 817-832.
Collinge, W., Wentworth, R., & Sabo, S. (2005). Integrating
complementary therapies into community mental health practice: an exploration. Journal of Alternative & Complementary
Medicine - New York, 11(3), 569-574.
Dozois, D. J., Covin, R., & Brinker, J. K. (2003). Normative
data on cognitive measures of depression. Journal
of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71(1), pp.
Feinstein, D. (2008). ENERGY PSYCHOLOGY: A REVIEW OF THE PRELIMINARY
EVIDENCE. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research,
Practice, Training, 45(2), 199-213.
Parker, G., & Crawford, J. (2007). Judged effectiveness of
differing antidepressant strategies by those with clinical depression. Australian & New Zealand Journal of
Psychiatry, 41(1), 32-37.
Shore, A. (2004). Long-term effects of energetic healing on symptoms
of psychological depression and self-perceived stress. Altern Ther Health Med, 10(3), 42-48.
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