Dissertation Title:

Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of Holotropic Breathwork For Adult Daughters of Alcoholics

Candidate:

Sofya Vasilyeva

Date, Time & Place:

February 20, 2023 at 11:00 am
Virtual


Abstract

Holotropic Breathwork, as a relatively new technique that has yet to be the subject of extensive rigorous research, currently stands on the fringes of the available methods for healing trauma—including Adult Children of Alcoholics. Following Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis

Traditions (IPA; Smith & Shinebourne, 2012), six women who have grown up in homes where alcohol was abused were interviewed for the purpose of studying their lived experience of undergoing Holotropic Breathwork® session(s). Semi-structured interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Seven superordinate and 58 subordinate themes emerged from the interviews. Participants reported experiencing various similar trauma and hardship in childhood, such as experiencing volatility and chaos, feeling fear, loneliness, co-dependency/parentification, physical abuse, repressing emotions, and feeling the need to be perfect, as well as similarities of unwanted symptoms in adulthood, such as low self -esteem, interpersonal problems, co-dependency, personal addictions, difficulty having fun, and feeling lack of personal creativity. The similarity was observed within the participant’s experiences during the Holotropic Breathwork, including seeing visual images, connecting to realms beyond the visible eye, and reprocessing early childhood memories. The participants reported changes in personality such as greater self-love, openness to experience, improved relationships, and greater life appreciation.

Holotropic Breathwork, in conjunction with -long-term psychotherapy and group therapy, appears to be powerful for healing and positive life transformation. Future research can focus on studying symbols that appear during sessions, Holotropic Breathwork as potential healing for substance use, and studying negative experiences as an inquiry to draw out potential contraindications for some people with psychological diagnoses.

Details
  • Program/Track/Year: Clinical Psychology, OP, 2017
  • Chair: Dr. Victoria Stevens
  • Reader: Dr. Brenda Murrow
  • External Reader: Dr. Kylie Harris
  • Keywords: Holotropic Breathwork, Adult Daughters Of Alcoholics, Trauma, Substance Abuse