During my travels, I encountered remarkably diverse cultures. Yet one universal thread connects people across the world: spirituality—the search for the divine and the longing to understand oneself and one’s mind more deeply.

Across time and place, cultures have attempted to describe the indescribable using human words and concepts, giving rise to a vast, eclectic collection of spiritual practices, introspective tools, philosophies, faiths, religions, ceremonies, therapies, healing techniques. For instance, some words for describing the divine include : God, Heaven, Allah, Yahweh, The Great Spirit, Pachamama, Brahman, Moksha, Nirvana, Enlightenment, Ultimate Truth or Tao.

This article lists and categorizes the spiritual and introspection practices I came across on my journeys. It is by no means exhaustive. As always, if you spot any inaccuracies, please kindly share them in the comments.

1. Substance-Based / Plant Medicine

• Ayahuasca (also known as Yagé in Colombia) : **Psychedelic brew made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine, ceremonial spiritual medicine used by shamans in the Amazon region.
• Peyote : Cactus found in Mexico which contains psychoactive mescaline, traditionally used for medical and religious purposes.
• San Pedro (Huachuma) : Sacred cactus used in Andean shamanic traditions, primarily in Peru and Ecuador, for healing, spiritual insight, and communion with nature.
• Peruvian Torch : Mescaline cactus native to the Peruvian Andes.
• Rapé : Sacred Amazonian shamanic snuff (dried ground tobacco), often mixed with ashes, aromas or medicinal plants, used ceremonially by Indigenous tribes for spiritual cleansing, focus, or healing.
• Kambô Cleansing : Medicinal ritual that involves applying the poisonous secretions of a giant monkey frog from the Amazon region. During the ritual, a shaman burns several superficial holes onto people’s skin.
• Yopo : hallucinogenic snuff (bufotenin and DMT) used by Indigenous South American shamans to induce altered states of consciousness.
• Bufo Alvarius : Toad from northern Mexico whose skin produces a derivative of serotonine (5-HO-DMT), which is an hallucinogenic psychotropic. The substance is usually smoked.
• Salvia Divinorum : Psychoactive plant native to the cloud forests of Oaxaca, Mexico, traditionally used by Mazatec shamans for spiritual and healing purposes.
• Cacao Ceremony : Intentional gathering where people drink ceremonial cacao whilst perhaps setting new intentions, sharing heart-felt insights, or being led through a meditation or visualisation of some kind.
• Mimosa Hostilis root bark : Natural source of DMT, traditionally used in Jurema ceremonies (North East Brazil) for spiritual and healing purposes.
• Acacia Confusa : Tree native to Southeast Asia (Taiwan, Philippines, Hawaii) whose root bark contains DMT, used in traditional medicine and modern psychedelic preparations.
• Magic Mushrooms : Fungi that contains the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin, which cause hallucinogenic effects when ingested.
• Microdosing : Practice of taking very small, sub-hallucinogenic doses of a psychedelic substance to enhance cognitive function, creativity, or emotional well-being without causing full-blown psychedelic effects.
• Iboga : African root bark used in Bwiti rituals for deep introspection and for treating addiction to drugs.
• DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) : Potent hallucinogen obtained through the extraction of various plants. It is rapidly broken down by the liver. For this reason, when ingested orally on its own, DMT is not active and is usually smoked instead. Certain substances (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, MAOIs) “block” the liver’s action and alter DMT’s effects. This is the principle behind ayahuasca, a brew combining a DMT-containing plant with another plant containing MAOIs.
• Changa : Smokable blend of DMT mixed with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), creating a longer-lasting and smoother psychedelic experience than pure DMT.
• Cannabis in spiritual contexts: Used sacramentally in Rastafari and Hindu traditions. The ascetic Sadhus smoke ganja and drink bhang.

2. Energy-Based Approaches

• Reiki : Japanese hands-on energy healing, where “energy” is transferred through the palms of the practitioner to the patient in order to promote emotional or physical healing.
  • Usui Reiki Ryoho (or Reiki-ho) : Spiritual practice developed by Mikao Usui.
  • Usui Shiki Ryoho : Type of Reiki for medical healing, developed by Chujiro Hayashi.
• Qigong (or Chi Kung) : Chinese movement practice to balance Qi (life force). It is a system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial-arts training.
• Tai Chi : Chinese martial art and meditative movement practice characterized by slow, flowing postures and deep breathing, designed to cultivate balance, relaxation, and the harmonious flow of Qi (life energy) for physical health and mental clarity.
• Acupuncture : A traditional Chinese medicine practice involving thin needles inserted into specific points (“meridians”) to balance energy flow (Qi).
• Meridian Stretching : Energy-based practice that combines slow, intentional stretches with the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine to release blockages in the body’s energy meridian.
• Pranic Healing : Energy healing technique using prana (life force) for cleansing. It is based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself.
• Sekhem : Egyptian energy healing similar to Reiki.

3. Breathwork

• Pranayama: Yogic breath control for energy and mental clarity.
  • Nadi Shodhana / Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing) : Balances the nervous system, calms the mind, and purifies energy channels (nadis).
  • Kapalabhati (Skull-Shining Breath) : Cleanses lungs, energizes the mind, improves digestion, and detoxifies.
  • Bhramari (Bee Breath) : Reduces stress, anxiety, and anger; soothes the nervous system.
  • Ujjayi (Ocean Breath / Victorious Breath) : Builds heat, improves focus.
  • Bhastrika (Bellows Breath) : Boosts energy, clears sinuses, increases lung capacity.
  • Sheetali : Cools body, calms anger, reduces stress, promotes relaxation
  • Sheetkari : Cools the body, reduces Pitta (Ayurvedic heat), calms emotions, promotes relaxation
  • Surya Bhedana (Right Nostril Breathing) : Activates the Pingala (solar energy), increases warmth and alertness.
  • Chandra Bhedana (Left Nostril Breathing) : Activates the Ida (lunar energy), induces calmness and cooling.
  • Sama Vritti (Equal Breathing) : Calms mind, improves focus.
  • Kumbhaka (Breath Retention) : Increases lung capacity, enhances focus, and balances prana.
  • Agni Pran (Breath of Fire) : Stimulates digestion, energizes, and clears stagnation.
  • Dirga Pranayama (Three-Part Breath) : Deep relaxation, improves oxygenation, reduces anxiety.
• Holotropic Breathwork : rapid, deep breathing to induce altered states of consciousness, used for emotional release and spiritual exploration.
• Wim Hof Method : Controlled hyperventilation (powerful inhales, relaxed exhales), breath retention, and cold exposure to boost energy, reduce stress, and improve immunity.
• Rebirthing Breathwork : Circular breathing technique to release past trauma and emotional pain and to treat reactive attachment disorder. The goal is to process blocked emotions and energy, leaving you free to form trusting, healthy attachments. Founded by Leonard Orr.
• Transformational Breathwork : Deep, connected breathing (no pauses between inhale-exhale) to release emotional blockages and increase vitality.
• Tummo (Inner Fire) : Tibetan Buddhist practice combining breath retention and visualization to generate body heat and meditative focus.
• Box Breathing (Tactical Breathing) : Used by Navy SEALs and athletes: Inhale (4 sec) → Hold (4 sec) → Exhale (4 sec) → Hold (4 sec). Enhances focus and stress management.
• 4-7-8 Breathing : Inhale (4 sec) → Hold (7 sec) → Exhale (8 sec). Promotes relaxation and sleep.
• Circular Breathing : **Continuous breathing without pauses, often used in shamanic and therapeutic practices to access deeper emotional states.
• Buteyko Breathing : **Focuses on reducing over-breathing (hyperventilation) to improve CO₂ tolerance, often used for asthma and anxiety.

4. American Traditions

• Temazcal : Sacred central American sweat lodge ceremony for purification, healing, and spiritual renewal.
• Vision Quest : Solitary rite of passage involving fasting and prayer in nature to seek spiritual guidance.
• Shamanism : Spiritual practice where shamans mediate between the physical and spirit worlds for healing and wisdom.
• Curanderismo: Latin American folk healing blending indigenous and Catholic practices.
• Voodoo : Religion practiced in the Caribbean (especially Haiti), combining elements of Roman Catholic ritual with traditional African magical and religious rites, and characterized by sorcery and spirit possession.
• Santería : Cuban Orisha tradition merging Yoruba and Catholic beliefs.
• Spirit animal (Animal de Poder) : A guiding animal spirit or totem representing personal traits, protection, and wisdom in Indigenous traditions.
• Talking circles : A communal Indigenous practice where participants share stories or wisdom in a respectful, egalitarian setting.
• Sun Dance : Plains tribes’ ceremonial dance and sacrifice for renewal.

5. Western Philosophies

• Stoicism : Philosophy that teaches how to stay calm and strong by focusing on what you can control and letting go of what you can’t.
• Existentialism : Philosophy that says you create your own meaning in life through choices and actions—there’s no pre-set purpose, just freedom (and responsibility) to define yourself.
• Idealism : Belief that everything we know is based on ideas, thoughts, or the mind—not just physical things.
• Materialism : Belief that only physical matter (like atoms, objects, and bodies) is real, and everything—even thoughts and feelings—comes from material processes.
• Transcendentalism : Belief that people and nature are inherently good, and that true wisdom comes from self-reliance, intuition, and connecting with the spiritual world beyond logic and society’s rules.
• Rationalism : Truth is found through reason, not just senses (Descartes, Spinoza).
• Humanism : Focus on human potential, ethics, and reason over dogma.
• Nihilism : Life has no inherent meaning (Nietzsche).
• Gnosticism : Mystical belief that divine knowledge (gnosis) leads to salvation, freeing the soul from the illusion of the material world.
• Anthroposophy : Spiritual movement founded by Rudolf Steiner in the early 20th century. It explores the nature, development, and task of human beings, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of existence and the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual worlds.
• Effective Altruism : Movement that uses evidence and reason to maximize the impact of charitable efforts—focusing on the most effective ways to help others (Peter Singer).
• Deep Ecology : Environmental movement that views all life as interconnected and equally valuable, urging humans to live in harmony with nature—not dominance over it (Arne Næss).

6. Faiths and Religions

• Christianity : Monotheistic faith centered on Christ’s teachings and salvation.
  • Catholic : The largest Christian denomination globally, with over 1.25 billion followers, centered around the Pope and the Vatican.
  • Orthodox : around 260 million adherents.
  • Protestant : about 600 million adherents.
    • Evangelical church
    • Methodist church
    • Seventh-day Adventist vhurch
    • Anglican church
    • Baptist church
    • Lutheran church
    • Presbyterian church
  • Mormon (Latter-day Saints) : A distinct branch of Christianity that originated in the 19th century with the publication of the Book of Mormon.
  • Jehovah’s Witnesses : They reject the Trinity and the celebration of mainstream Christian holidays.
• Islam : Abrahamic religion following Quranic teachings and Five Pillars.
  • Sunni Islam : Largest branch (85-90% of Muslims), following the Sunnah (traditions of Prophet Muhammad).
  • Shia Islam : Believes leadership should have stayed with Muhammad’s family; focuses on Imams as spiritual guides.
  • Ismaili Islam : A Shia branch following living Imams (like the Aga Khan), valuing esoteric interpretation of the Quran.
  • Sufism : Islamic mysticism, a tradition within Islam that emphasizes a direct, personal experience of God through practices like meditation, poetry, and music (e.g., Rumi).
  • Sufi whirling : Form of active meditation and a sacred dance, spiritual practice aimed at achieving a state of union with the divine through rhythmic turning (Dervish in Turkey and Persia and Dhamal in Pakistan).
• Judaism : Monotheistic religion rooted in Torah and covenant with God.
• Zoroastrianism : Iranian monotheistic religion founded by the prophet Zoroaster.
• Baháʼí Faith : Religion founded in the 19th century by Baháʼu’lláh, a Persian nobleman, emphasizing the unity of humanity and the essential worth of all religions.
• Yoruba : Traditional West African religion, primarily practiced by the Yoruba people in Nigeria.
• Dreamtime : Spiritual framework of Aboriginal Australian cultures, describing the timeless realm where ancestral beings created the world, laws, and all life—connecting past, present, and future through stories, art, and land.

7. Eastern Traditions and Philosophies

• Hinduism : Diverse Indian religion with many gods, karma, and dharma, focused on liberation (Moksha).
  • Advaita Vedanta : Hindu philosophy teaching “non-duality” (all is One, Brahman).
  • Ayurveda (from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge)): Indian traditional medicine that balances mind, body, and spirit through diet, herbal remedies, exercise, meditation, breathing, and physical therapy.
    • Panchkarma : Ayurvedic cleansing therapy using oils, massage, and herbs.
    • Shirodhara : Ayurvedic treatment that involves slowly pouring warm oil onto the forehead.
  • Hare Krishna : Devotional movement (bhakti yoga) chanting Krishna’s names (Guru Srila Prabhupada).
  • Kirtan : Call-and-response mantra chanting practiced in Bhakti yoga (devotional).
  • Shaivism : Hindu tradition worshiping Shiva as the supreme god.
• Yoga : Holistic practice from ancient India that combines physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), and meditation to unite body, mind, and spirit. There are many different styles of yoga :
  • Hatha yoga : Balance of body and mind through asanas and breath control.
  • Ashtanga yoga : A structured, vigorous sequence of poses linked with breath (Vinyasa).
  • Iyengar Yoga : Precision, alignment, and use of props (blocks, straps).
  • Kundalini Yoga : Awakening spiritual energy (kundalini) through breath, chanting, and dynamic movements.
  • Yin Yoga : Deep stretching, long-held passive poses (3-5 minutes).
  • Vinyasa (flow) Yoga : Fluid movement synchronized with breath.
  • Power Yoga : Fitness-driven, intense Ashtanga-inspired flow.
  • Bikram (Hot Yoga) : Fixed 26-posture sequence in 40°C heat.
  • Restorative Yoga: Relaxation with long-held, supported poses.
  • Jivamukti Yoga : Ethical living, chanting, and vigorous Vinyasa.
  • Sivananda Yoga : Traditional 12-pose sequence, breathing, and relaxation.
  • Anusara Yoga : Heart-opening, alignment, and positive philosophy.
  • Aerial Yoga : Silk hammocks for suspension.
  • AcroYoga : Partner work yoga.
• Buddhism : Spiritual tradition founded by the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) that teaches freedom from suffering (dukkha) through mindfulness, ethical living, and wisdom—culminating in enlightenment.
  • Mahayana : “Great Vehicle,” focuses on universal enlightenment (bodhisattva path).
    • Chan buddhism (China)
    • Zen buddhism (Japan)
    • Nichiren buddhism (Japan)
    • Pure Land buddhism (Japan)
    • Thien buddhism (Vietnam)
    • Seon buddhism (Korea)
    • Kadampa buddhism (Tibet)
• Theravada (Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos) : “Elders’ Path,” emphasizes early texts and individual liberation.
• Vajrayana (also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayana, or Mantrayana) : “Diamond Vehicle,” uses tantra, rituals, and esoteric practices for swift awakening.
  • Shingon buddhism (Japan)
  • Tendai buddhism (Japan)
  • Tibetan buddhism
    • Nyingma school
    • Kagyu school
    • Sakya school
    • Gelug school
    • Jonang school
• Jainism: Indian tradition of non-violence and asceticism.
• Sikhism: Monotheistic faith valuing equality, service, and meditation.
• Shintoism : Japan’s indigenous spirituality, focused on honoring sacred spirits in nature, ancestors, and objects through rituals, shrines, and purity practices.
• Taoism : Chinese philosophy of harmony with the Tao (Way).
• Confucianism : Chinese philosophy teaching moral harmony through respect for relationships, ethical behavior, and self-cultivation to create a just and orderly world.
• Bön : indigenous religious tradition of Tibet that shares many similarities with Tibetan Buddhism.

8. Tantric Practices

• Dzogchen (”The Great Perfection”) : Spiritual practice of the Nyingma school aimed at realizing the inherent, natural state of mind.
• Mahamudra (”The Great Seal”) : Advanced method of the Kagyu school for realizing the true nature of the mind and the ultimate nature of reality.
• Kalachakra (”Wheel of Time”) : Practice of the Jonang school to transcend dualistic thinking and achieve enlightenment.
• Kundalini : Tantric practice to awaken and channel spiritual energy through the body through breathwork, chanting, and specific body movements (kriyas).

9. Meditation Techniques

• Shamatha meditation (”Calm Abiding”) : Concentration on an object (typically the breath) to stabilize the mind and develop single-pointed focus.
• Anapana meditation : Same as Shamatha, but in the Theravada tradition.
• Mindfulness meditation : Focus on breathing, sensations, or sounds, while observing thoughts and emotions without judgment.
• Movement meditation : Integration of mindfulness into physical movement of the body. This includes walking meditation, yoga asanas, Tai Chi.
• Tratak meditation : Staring at a single point, such as a candle flame or a dot, to still the mind and improve concentration
• Mantra meditation : Consists in repeating sacred words (mantra) in order to calm the mind and promote focus.
• Visualisation meditation : Visualizing images or objects in order to improve focus and manifest desired outcomes.
• Loving-Kindness meditation (Metta) : Expressing love, compassion and kindness towards oneself and others.
• Vipassana meditation : Observing the physical sensations on different parts of the body without reacting, while understanding that these sensations are impermanent. The goal is to develop insight into the nature of reality.
• Guided analytical meditation : Following a specific narrative about a particular concept (such as emptiness, impermanence, compassion) and use intellectual analysis in order to gain an intuitive understanding of the object.
• Tonglen meditation (“giving and taking”) : Tibetan Buddhist meditation technique where one visualizes breathing in the suffering of others and breathing out love and kindness to those in need. The goal is to cultivate compassion.
• Transcendental meditation : Silent, mantra-based meditation technique to promote deep relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance clarity of mind (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi).
• Dynamic meditation : Active, cathartic form of meditation designed by Osho to release stress and mental chatter through intense physical movement, chaotic breathing, and emotional expression—followed by silence.

10. Somatic and Body-Centered Techniques

• Rio Abierto : A spiritual body-mind approach that integrates therapy and creativity to develop awareness, listening and attention. It blends dance, music, breathwork, relaxation and expressive exercises to foster physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
• Ecstatic Dance : A type of dance that focuses on freedom of movement and self expression, usually held as dance events with conscious community values (no alcohol or drugs allowed).
• Authentic Movement : Unstructured, mindful movement expression.
• Somatic Stretching : Release of muscular tension through gentle movement and an awareness of how your muscles feel in various positions and movements
• Somatic Experiencing (SE) : **Body-oriented therapy to help individuals process and release trauma-related tension stored in the body (aims to treat PTSD and other mental and emotional health issues).
• Trauma & tension Releasing Exercises (TRE) : Series of exercises that activate a natural reflex of shaking or vibrating to release deep muscular tension, stress and trauma.
• Tamalpa Life Art Process : Psychosomatic practice that uses dancing, drawing, and narrating to contribute to creativity, personal growth, and healing.
• Sadhu Board Therapy : Consists of standing barefoot on a plank with nails to stimulate energy pathways and increase wellness.
• Craniosacral therapy (CST) : Form of alternative medicine that uses gentle touch to feel non-existent rhythmic movements of the skull’s bones and supposedly adjust the immovable joints of the skull to achieve a therapeutic result (provide relief from pain, like headaches and neck pain, side effects of cancer treatment and more).
• Sujok Therapy : Healing methodology based on acupressure and is a simple method that produces highly effective results. In Sujok therapy, the palm and foot represent all the active points in the body corresponding to all the organs or parts of the human body.
• Access Bars (Barras de Access) : Hands-on process where 32 specific points on the head are lightly touched to release limiting thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. This gentle technique can create a sense of relaxation, clarity, and ease.
• Reflexology : A massage technique applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears that correspond to organs/body systems.
• Sophrology : A mind-body practice blending relaxation, breathing exercises, visualization, and gentle movement.
• Bioenergetic Therapy : Body-centered psychotherapy that combines breathwork, movement, and emotional expression to release physical tension and unresolved emotional trauma, aiming to restore energy flow and improve mental and physical well-being.
• Hakomi : Gentle, mindfulness-based therapy that uses body awareness to uncover and heal unconscious emotional wounds. It helps you explore deep-seated beliefs by noticing how your body reacts in the present moment.

11. Introspection and Self-Development Tools

• Journaling : Practice of regularly recording thoughts, feelings, experiences, and reflections in a notebook, journal, or digital platform. It’s a way to document your life and inner world, and can be a useful tool for personal reflection, self-discovery, and mental well-being.
• Vision board (also known as dream map, goal collage, mapa de sueños) : Visual collage of images, words, and symbols representing your goals, dreams, and desires, designed to focus your mind, boost motivation, and attract what you want into your life through the power of visualization and the law of attraction. It’s a creative way to set intentions for the future. The idea is that by visually representing your dreams, you are reinforcing your commitment to them.
• Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) : Psychological approach that studies the connection between neurology (how we think), language (how we communicate), and behavioral **patterns (how we act), with the goal of reprogramming unconscious habits to achieve personal growth, better communication, and peak performance.
• Ikigai : Japanese concept meaning “reason for being”—the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for, creating a life of purpose and joy.
• Biohacking : Enhancing the body’s ability to function at peak performance—and maybe even extend one’s lifespan (include meditation, intermittent fasting), quest for better biological function.

12. Psychotherapies

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (CBT)
  • Cognitive Therapy (CT) : Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns.
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) : Combines cognitive and behavioral techniques to modify thoughts and behaviors.
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) : Helps with emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness (often used for borderline personality disorder).
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) : Encourages psychological flexibility through mindfulness and value-driven actions.
  • Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) : Challenges irrational beliefs to change emotional and behavioral responses.
• Psychodynamic Therapies
  • Psychoanalysis (Freudian Therapy) : Explores unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences (long-term, intensive).
  • Psychodynamic Therapy : Shorter-term, focuses on unconscious patterns and relationships.
  • Jungian Therapy (Analytical Psychology) : Emphasizes archetypes, dreams, and individuation.
• Humanistic & Experiential Therapies
  • Person-Centered Therapy (Carl Rogers, humanistic psychology) : Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and self-actualization.
  • Gestalt Therapy : Humanistic psychotherapy that focuses on self-awareness, the present-moment experience, and personal responsibility. It aims to help individuals better understand their emotions, behaviors, and relationships with others.
  • Existential Therapy : Explores meaning, freedom, and life choices.
• Behavioral Therapies
  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) : Uses reinforcement to modify behavior (common in autism treatment).
  • Exposure Therapy : Gradually exposes individuals to feared stimuli (used for phobias, PTSD).
  • Systematic Desensitization : Combines relaxation with gradual exposure to reduce anxiety.
• Emotional Healing
  • Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) : Psychotherapy approach that aim to resolve emotional and relationship issues with individuals, couples, and families (emotions are strongly linked to identity.)
  • Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) (tapping therapy) : Technique that stimulates acupressure points by pressuring, tapping or rubbing while focusing on situations that represent personal fear or trauma.
  • Inner Child Work : Therapeutic approach that focuses on healing emotional wounds from childhood by reconnecting with and nurturing your younger, vulnerable self.
  • Biodecoding (also known as Biodescodificación) : Therapy based on the idea that unresolved emotional conflicts or psychological trauma can manifest as physical illnesses.
  • Sharing circle (also known as Heart sharing circle or circle of words) : People sitting in a circle and sharing, one at a time, how they are feeling.
• Integrative & Holistic Therapies
  • Integrative Psychotherapy : Combines techniques from multiple approaches.
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) : Blends CBT with mindfulness to prevent depression relapse.
  • Transpersonal Therapy (Carl Jung) : Incorporates spiritual and transcendent aspects of human experience.
• Family & Relationship Therapies
  • Internal Family System therapy (IFS) : Identifies and addresses multiple sub-personalities or families within each person’s mental system. These sub-personalities consist of wounded parts and painful emotions such as anger and shame, and parts that try to control and protect the person from the pain of the wounded parts.
  • Narrative Therapy : Helps individuals reframe their life stories in empowering ways.
  • Gottman Method (Couples Therapy) : Evidence-based approach for improving relationships.
  • Imago Relationship Therapy : Focuses on healing childhood wounds within couples.
• Trauma-Focused Therapies
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) : Uses bilateral stimulation to process traumatic memories. It’s best known for its role in treating PTSD.
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) : Helps children and adolescents process trauma.
• Other Specialized Therapies
  • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) : Goal-oriented, focuses on solutions rather than problems.
  • Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) : Addresses interpersonal issues and improves relationships.
  • Art Therapy / Music Therapy : Uses creative expression for emotional healing.

13. Alternative and Esoteric Healing Practices

• Family constellation : Therapy revealing hidden family dynamics and unresolved traumas (often across generations) by reenacting a past scene where family members are acted by a group of people.
• Past Life Regression: Hypnosis to explore previous incarnations.
• Angel Walks : Spiritually enriching, serene celebration that invites deep connection to the Divine, to unity, and to love.
• Biomagnetic Therapy : Natural therapy that proposes re-establishing the normal internal cellular environment through the use of pairs of magnets of medium intensity that seek to equalize the organism’s pH level.
• Aura Reading : Practice of intuitively perceiving or sensing the energy field (colors, vibrations, or patterns) surrounding a person, believed to reflect their emotional, spiritual, or physical state.
• Grounding : Walking barefoot on wet ground to realign our magnetic field with the Earth magnetic field.
• Numerology : Method of divination that uses numbers to symbolize the vibrational patterns of your life.
• Astrology : Study of the positions and motions of celestial bodies in the belief that they have an influence on the course of natural earthly occurrences and human affairs.
• Tarot Reading : Practice of using a deck of symbolic cards to gain insight, reflection, or guidance on life questions—not by predicting the future, but by tapping into intuition and uncovering hidden perspectives.
• Crystal healing : Using gemstones to balance energy, promote emotional/physical well-being, and amplify intentions through their natural vibrations.
• Theta Healing : Meditation technique and spiritual philosophy that helps you connect with the Creator, God, or the Universe, using theta brainwaves to reprogram beliefs.
• Hermeticism : Spiritual philosophy that teaches “As above, so below”—the universe is a reflection of the divine, and humans can attain wisdom by studying cosmic laws through astrology, alchemy, and direct mystical experience.
• Spiritual Response Therapy (SRT) : spiritual healing technique that utilizes a pendulum and a series of charts that research a client’s soul records to release negative programming and patterns preventing you from living their best life.
• Forest bathing (also known as Shinrin-yoku) : Japanese practice that involves immersing oneself in nature to improve mental and physical well-being.
• Sound healing / sound bath : Ancient wellness practice that uses sound vibrations to promote healing and relaxation, using Tibetan bowls, gongs and tanpura.
• Human Design : Pseudoscientific new age practice described as a holistic self-knowledge system. It combines astrology, the Chinese I Ching, Judaic Kabbalah, Vedic philosophy, and modern physics. Human Design is a synthesis of modern genetics and ancient wisdom.
• 528 Hz Frequency Healing : Sound therapy exposing the patient to the ”Miracle Tone” (528 Hz)—believed to repair DNA, decrease cortisol levels (stress reduction), increase oxytocin release and promote deep healing by aligning the body with harmonious vibrations.
• Hypnotherapy : Therapeutic technique that uses guided hypnosis to induce a trance-like state, increasing focus and suggestibility.
• Aromatherapy : The use of plant-derived essential oils (e.g., lavender, peppermint) for psychological and physical well-being.
• Naturopathy : Alternative medicinal practice that uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself.
• Johrei: Japanese spiritual healing practice that channels divine light (Luminous Energy) through the palms to purify the body, emotions, and environment, promoting physical wellness and spiritual growth.