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Sacred Psychiatry: Bridging the Personal and Transpersonal to Transform Health and Consciousness

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Discover holistic approaches to psychiatric healing. Your previous experience with conventional psychiatry likely consisted of suppressing symptoms with pharmaceuticals without considering you as a whole person. It’s probable that there was little exploration of the power of the sacred to promote healing, which is especially crucial in our current climate of widespread fear and disconnection. In Sacred Psychiatry , you will be introduced to a diverse range of holistic approaches to healing. This book offers invaluable guidance on how to develop a personal spiritual practice and highlights the profound significance of fulfilling the soul’s purpose. It illustrates the usefulness of astrology, emphasizes how toxic relationships undermine healing, and showcases the remarkable healing power of food as medicine. Sacred Psychiatry also provides a holistic framework for weaning off of psychiatric pharmaceuticals and highlights treatable but frequently overlooked complex chronic conditions such as mold toxicity, mast cell activation syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Judy Suzanne Reis Tsafrir, MD, is a holistic healer with a private psychiatry and psychoanalysis practice in Newton, Massachusetts. She is a board-certified adult and child psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and the Boston Psychoanalytic Institute, and teaches and supervises at the Cambridge Health Alliance.

216 pages, Hardcover

Published January 2, 2024

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Judy Tsafrir

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5 stars
56 (57%)
4 stars
22 (22%)
3 stars
12 (12%)
2 stars
5 (5%)
1 star
2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
1 review1 follower
January 3, 2024
I loved this book. It strikes a perfect balance of being accessible without oversimplifying and digs into various aspects of health and consciousness. If you're interested in gaining a deeper understanding of yourself, your loved ones, and the world at large, I highly recommend this insightful read.
1 review
May 23, 2024
I was initially very excited when I picked this book up from the library - alternative forms of wellness are very appealing to me and I appreciate education that combines indigenous knowledge and Western medicine. I was disappointed however by the lack of acknowledgment for the indigenous communities and people where many of the concepts and practices mentioned in this book are pulled from.

I understand that the author has gone through rigorous trainings and courses related to shamanism, astrology, nutrition, etc. and I don’t doubt the knowledge and time that went into this book. I just wish there had been an acknowledgment of how to show gratitude to those who’s practices are mentioned in this book, and that this knowledge should go hand in hand with unraveling white supremacy culture. Smudging for example has been strongly tied to indigenous culture for generations and was banned in Canada and the US from the 1800s to mid-late 1900s. Practicing this as a non-native person has been labeled as cultural appropriation and there is no mention of this in this book.

Being critical is important when reading material like this. I think there is some really awesome and thought provoking information in this book, but there is also some material that made me feel uncomfortable. Always do your own research and look into multiple sources that include a mix of racial, ethnic, economic, gender, and queer voices. Holistic healing also means tuning into your own biases and creating empathy not only for yourself, but for everyone else, especially those with less privilege.
Profile Image for Jack.
58 reviews17 followers
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April 16, 2024
I haven't yet finished reading - and I do intend to! - but I felt it important to make a few observations.

I am unfortunately not the intended audience for this book. There appear to be two camps of people who regularly use the word "sacred:" very devout Christians, and the spiritual without a formal religious practice. I am the former; the author is the latter.

I was so hopeful that Sacred Psychiatry would include more of a much-needed examination of the shortcomings of conventional Western medicine in general, and specifically the United States healthcare system's tendency to over-medicate issues that require deeper work to truly address. I can't say this book definitively doesn't do that, because I'm only partway in. But so far I've found it somewhat alienating because it specifies what the author asserts that deeper work MUST entail, rather than leaving it to the individual preferences of the reader. For something like what she calls "ancestor work," connection to those who have gone before, I can easily translate this to the Communion of Saints for myself. But for other points, such as oracle cards, I find it impossible to separate her personal shamanic practice from the potential benefit of her suggestions.

Further still, despite her higher education, she so far doesn't delve deeper than surface-level into any scientific backing behind (for instance) crystals or astrology. I find myself dismissing these practices out of hand because she discusses their efficacy as foregone conclusions, but I remain unconvinced of their efficacy and I know I'm not the only one. Please don't get me wrong, I want to believe that there is truth in these fields - there is simply too much about the world that we don't understand for me to completely disbelieve them "just because." But as with any new piece of learning, I like to see concrete evidence that I'm not getting here. This point in particular, though, I'm willing to chalk up to differences in spiritual backgrounds and reiterate that I'm not the target audience for this book.

That being said, I'm also not yet sure how readers in the target audience will view this book. I hope to better articulate my opinions about the craft, rather than just the content, after I've finished reading.

I received a review copy free of charge through a Goodreads giveaway, for which I am enormously grateful to Greenleaf Book Group and Dr. Tsafrir.
Profile Image for Mityl.
141 reviews16 followers
August 18, 2024
Starts off well, devolves into pseudo science. Is currently redeeming itself while talking about malignant narcs and how therapists can actually make things worse. Yet to finish.
Profile Image for Gaye Mack.
Author 6 books3 followers
July 4, 2024
In her beautifully written book, SACRED PSYCHIATRY, BRIDGING to PERSONAL AND TRANSPERSONAL to TRANSFORM HEALTH and CONSCIOUSNESS, Boston area psychiatrist, Judy Reis Tsafrir defines why it’s so important for each of us heal our mind, body and spirit. While there are many books available on this subject, what makes Tsafrir’ s book stand out is her incorporation of non-traditional healing tools with her very traditional medical training.

As a member of Harvard’s medical faculty, Tsafrir takes us across a varied landscape. With candid honesty she gives us a peek into her personal history that led to this shift in her own healing journey. Immensely valuable is the fact that she describes in detail the benefits she’s experienced with various complementary therapies and modalities which she now routinely includes into her patient’s healing models.

While her approach utilizes more familiar resources such as traditional drug therapy, diet, supplements and exercise, she also calls upon others grounded in age-old traditions such as Astrology, Homeopathy, Shamanism, Ayurveda, flower remedies and herbalism to name a few. Finally, in the bigger picture, Tsafrir discusses and underlines the imperative importance for each of us to not only motivate our consciousness in healing ourselves but also this planet we inhabit with ‘sacred activism'. An easy read, Sacred Psychiatry is a resource that belongs on everyone’s shelf.
Profile Image for Dan.
265 reviews5 followers
February 28, 2024
◇ Synopsis
Your past experience with traditional psychiatry likely involved treating symptoms with medication without addressing your complete well-being. Explore the transformative potential of spirituality and holistic healing in Sacred Psychiatry. Discover diverse approaches to nurturing your soul, including developing a personal spiritual practice, understanding astrology, and embracing food as medicine. This book also discusses the importance of addressing underlying chronic conditions often overlooked in conventional treatment, such as mold toxicity and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

◇ Thoughts
This book primarily focuses on holistic health. Initially, I anticipated it would delve into intriguing topics outside mainstream psychology, akin to titles like "Forbidden History" or "Forbidden Archeology." However, it surprised me with its comprehensive coverage of alternative health subjects. Despite the array of diverse and sometimes conflicting topics, including astrology and crystals, the author demonstrates clear knowledge and presents her ideas in an engaging manner. What truly captivates is the use of stories and fables to provide a narrative framework for the content. While the book leans heavily towards advocating alternative therapies, I hoped for more direct relevance to psychology rather than a persuasive stance on alternative approaches.
1 review
February 22, 2024
This book is long overdue. I can't recommend it enough. Read this book so you can affirm what you already know to be true: that healing is complicated and requires us to look at all levels of our existence, mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Read this book if you have found western medicine to be harmful, dissatisfying, or incomplete. Read this book so you can learn about the intricate dance of as above, so below, as within, so without. Read this book to understand better your connection to the cosmos and how this connection can support you in all ways. Read this book to keep your mind flexible and your heart open. Read this book to understand that what we've experienced, what we think about, what traumas we and our ancestors have lived through, what we eat and otherwise consume from our overtaxed environment -- all of these things -- impact our physical and mental well-being. Read this book, if you are a spiritual seeker but have found your own health and healing to be elusive. Read this book if you are not a spiritual seeker but have found your own health and healing to be elusive. Bottom line: Read this book.
Profile Image for Barbara Joseph.
20 reviews3 followers
February 28, 2025
This book is one to savor and read slowly. It is filled with so many extraordinary insights into our spiritual, mental, and physical selves, and how we exist in the natural world and within our community. The author uses her own life experiences and experiences of her patients to provide so much information. In some says it’s a how to guide on managing change and transformation but it’s so much for than that. I loved the section on complex physical symptoms. Since the author is an MD, the information on treatments and medications is rooted in a wealth of knowledge. I can vouch first hand that the author knows what she is talking about as she treated and cured a mold issue for me.

If you read with an open mind and heart, the take aways are invaluable. It also comes at a perfect time to read as we live with so much uncertainty. Yes I think this book transcends our current state and can be applied to anytime in our lives. There were so many good nuggets of advice around following our heart and speaking and acting in accordance with our truth. I found the book to be comforting and hopeful despite the chaos that exists around us.
2 reviews1 follower
March 2, 2024
We’ve all heard and read a lot about practices to live our fullest, healthiest lives, right? What to include, what to avoid –– diet, the environment, medication. Well, Sacred Psychiatry is all that and so much more. Both universal and deeply personal in her approach, Dr. Tsafrir also offers us a spiritual dimension to life. In a down to earth yet erudite writing style, she walks us through many possibilities for incorporating rituals that connect us, anchor us to something larger than ourselves. She shows us the importance of moving through our days with an awareness that all of life in interdependent. I highly recommend this book if you want to advance beyond the ordinary into a realm of what’s uncertain but extraordinary. As Dr. Tsfrir explains the many healing practices she offers her patients, her message about embracing something that transcends our personal beings is one of vital importance. At a time of such unrest in the world, it reads like a love letter from the divine inviting us into a more expansive, magical life.
Profile Image for Rodrigo Bahamondes.
24 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2024
Good, but it could be better.

I will start with the good things (because they are very good). Mainly, the humane vision about mental health that transpire this book, and, above all, the chapter about "differential diagnoses". Also, hearing a fellow psychiatrist talk about "synchronicity" was absolutely refreshing.

Then why just 3 stars?

This is a good book, but it could be a lot better. Sometimes I got the feeling I was reading an autobiography (not necessarily bad, but it wasn't what I expected). And sometimes it really got my attention... only to find fragmentary information when I wanted to delve deep into it.
Also, the "sacred" in the title is misleading. When I read that, I thought more about a journey of self-discovery, or a "new" (almost nothing is really new) model about how to see psychiatry. But it was more about alternative ways of treating diseases (you could say "alternative medicine", but to my thoughts that's a misleading name), and how to question our own vision of mental health as physicians.

Not bad, but it could have been better.
1 review
August 7, 2025
As someone deeply rooted in the field of mental health, I found Sacred Psychiatry to be a truly refreshing and necessary perspective. Dr. Tsafrir invites us beyond the limits of conventional paradigms and into a more integrated, holistic understanding of healing…one that honors the emotional, spiritual, energetic, and ancestral dimensions of the psyche.

Her writing reflects the same qualities I’ve experienced in her presence: a beautiful, thoughtful energy and a deep commitment to truth-seeking. Her integration of multiple wisdom traditions—from psychoanalysis and psychiatry to astrology, energy medicine, and ancestral work—is not only seamless, but deeply respectful and intelligent. She models the kind of multidimensional practitioner our world needs more of.

This book is a gift to clinicians, seekers, and anyone interested in the evolution of healing. It is an invitation to remember that wholeness is not a diagnosis to be managed, but a sacred path to be reclaimed.
Profile Image for Allison Bruce.
Author 1 book1 follower
June 1, 2024
Written by a Harvard psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, astrologer, and shamanic practitioner, Sacred Psychiatry integrates “conventional training” with many holistic approaches including a range of spiritual tools, astrology, diet, and relationships into a healing prescription. Dr. Judy Tsafrir shares her personal journey, in some instances through the metaphor of Chironic psychiatry. (Chiron was a Greek mythological figure; is an asteroid and is influential in your astrological chart.) I appreciate the openness about her own healing path. Sacred Psychiatry is fantastic in expressing the importance of the whole, and multiple dimensions, we can benefit from examining to live our best soul driven life. It would make a great gift, too, for people in your life focused on higher consciousness, and especially those with a chronic illness.
1 review1 follower
February 8, 2024
Holistic Healing Redefined-"Sacred Psychiatry" by Dr. Judy Tsafrir is not just a book; it's a revolution in the field of psychiatric healing. Moving beyond the conventional, Dr. Tsafrir invites us into a world where the sacred intersects with science, offering a comprehensive guide to holistic healing. This book skillfully demystifies spirituality and integrates it into practical steps for enhancing mental health. Its timely arrival offers a beacon of hope and a toolkit for those seeking to embrace a more integrated approach to health. Dr. Tsafrir's expertise and compassionate guidance make this work an indispensable resource for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of healing in today's world.
1 review
February 11, 2024
Sacred Psychiatry is a profoundly impactful and timely book. This book has been a validating experience, considering the challenges we are facing in theses palpable times as patients and healthcare providers. Experiencing the integration of ancient holistic methods with a conventional medicine approach in this book felt like peering behind the curtain of a true master of her craft. The author, a Harvard-trained Psychiatrist, fearlessly translates her profound knowledge and expertise into Written Word. Witnessing the fusion of wisdom and insight was both enlightening and awe-inspiring. It provided a unique opportunity to gain insight into the inner workings of a skilled physician and deepened my appreciation for the artistry and expertise that goes into delivering healing care.
Profile Image for Josie Baron.
Author 9 books11 followers
November 7, 2024
I’ve always believed in the importance of taking good care of my mind, body, and soul, so I’m an avid reader of books of this genre. In “Sacred Psychiatry” Dr. Tsafrir combines the expertise from her years working as a psychiatrist with her knowledge of holistic alternatives to help traditional medicine!

The author explores different paths of healing, and she makes sure to combine the importance of working with our spirit while we take care of our body and our mental health.

It is clear to me that the author has a deep knowledge of the topics that she talks about. They’re deep and complex but Dr. Tsafrir's writing is easy and clear to understand. She holds our hand and helps us walk the path to healing and improving ourselves!

A much-needed book!
1 review
February 12, 2024
Dr. Judy Tsafrir takes us on the moving personal journey that inspired her search for a deeper understanding of the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being for herself and those in her psychiatry practice. She illuminates a more holistic, hopeful and life-affirming pathway than the conventional problem-solving and prescriptive approach we're familiar with. As a lay reader, I was gripped from the beginning, inspired by her stories to experiment with the myriad ideas and practices she describes. This is a deeply heartening book. We are invited to a new level of agency, and the possibility of greater participation and partnership in our own well-being.
1 review
January 28, 2024
I deeply enjoyed Dr Tsafrir’s insightful and sensitive book. Her well-rounded and whole body approach to psychiatry is a necessary breath of fresh air to anyone looking to get in touch with their spiritual side. “Sacred Psychiatry” provides its reader with an eye opening introduction to the role our astrological charts can play in all aspects of our lives as well as moving stories from Dr Tsafrir’s life and practice. I would recommend this beautiful read to anyone looking to expand their view of the Universe.
1 review
February 7, 2024
I loved this book! The writing is beautiful, engaging and accessible, and the information is extremely grounded and practical. Dr. Tsafrir draws on her decades of experience as a psychiatrist, and her many years of exploring spirituality and holistic healing, to present a new paradigm to address the current mental health crisis. Anyone working in the field of mental health, interested in spiritual and alternative approaches to healing, or struggling with their own issues, will greatly benefit from the wisdom in this book. Highly recommend!!
6 reviews
February 7, 2024
This is a brilliant book, with such a different approach than many popular self-help books. While aimed at helping one find improved health and well-being, it does so without a "one size fits all" method. Instead, it offers many ideas and tools, based upon Dr. Tsafrir's own experiences and observations, and encourages the reader to consider change in a new way. It is a hopeful book, not difficult to read, and chock full of interesting ways to look at and seek health outside of the traditional pharmaceuticals/talk therapy pathway. I plan to reread it in the future.
Profile Image for Amy Bivens.
35 reviews
March 9, 2024
It’s really difficult for me to give any book 5 stars. This one is up there though! Im thankful that this book was sent to me. Trying to avoid spoilers: It combines the mystical with the mundane and really brings to light the current state of being we are all struggling through. Holistic healing has been a passion of mine since working deep in the Pharmaceutical industry and gaining an understanding of just how it all works. This book made me think and also invited me to think in new ways. Excellent work.
1 review
June 7, 2024
Dr. Tsafir’s comprehensive Western, holistic and spiritual training inspire her refreshing perspective. Her thoughtful book illuminates an in depth approach to treating patients struggling with mental health issues beyond the traditional, two dimensional model (meds and/ or therapy). Dr. Tsafir highlights that we are all complex, multidimensional beings who need to nurture the body, mind and soul for optimal energy and health. I hope her prescient teachings will be adapted by all physicians who want to understand and help their patients in a deeply meaningful way. Lori Sidman, MD
Profile Image for Lise Weil.
8 reviews1 follower
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December 3, 2024
Tsafir is a classically trained Harvard psychiatrist. It must have taken great courage to publish a book on psychiatry that includes drumming, shamanism, psychedelics and astrology as healing technologies! The book also provides extensive information and counsel about diet and conditions like mold toxicity and mast cell activation syndrome-- no body/mind split here! This is an honest and and deeply personal book as well as an essential revision of the field. Tsafir’s insights into Tarot cards are stunning!
1 review
January 4, 2024
Sacred Psychiatry is an amazing contribution which recognizes science and spiritual methods of healing as compatible for maintaining physical and emotional health. The book is easy to read for practitioners as well as uninitiated laypersons. Congratulations to Dr. Tsafrir for creating a personable and persuasive narrative. As a researcher with a PhD in biological sciences, I don’t make that statement lightly.
1 review
January 21, 2024
One of the profound gifts of this book is the invitation to reclaim a multidimensional way of being along with a myriad of offerings to help us do so. Dr. Tsafrir’s training and experience extends far beyond the conventional to holistic strategies for body, mind and spirit. Through clear explanations, case studies and personal examples, this book comes alive for the reader—inspiring us to enlarge our own toolkits for health and expanded consciousness.
1 review
January 28, 2024
Sacred Psychiatry is a new addition to the canon of holistic medicine. With a deft hand, Dr. Judy Tsafrir weaves together guidance pulled from her own personal, professional, and spiritual journeys. Through in-depth exploration of topics ranging from diet, astrology, environmental toxicity, interpersonal relationships, and so much more, Sacred Psychiatry presents a healing modality for one’s entire being. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Profile Image for Virginia.
9,263 reviews23 followers
April 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sacred Psychiatry is a transformative exploration that blends science, soul, and spirituality, offering a compassionate and comprehensive path to true healing beyond symptom suppression. Dr. Judy Suzanne Reis Tsafrir invites readers into a deeply insightful world where personal growth, holistic wellness, and spiritual purpose become central to mental health care.
Profile Image for Marissa F.
129 reviews4 followers
February 19, 2024
Less a psychiatry book and more a reminder of how to reconnect with yourself and the world around you at a sacred level. I got halfway through and ordered a hard copy for myself and one for my bed friend. Loved it.

I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC. My honest review is my own opinion.
Profile Image for Janet.
1,457 reviews41 followers
March 4, 2024
Scared Psychiatry: Bridging the Personal and Transpersonal to Transform Health and Consciousness

Sacred Psychiatry: Bridging the Personal and Transpersonal to Transform Health and Consciousness by Judy Tsafrir. This was a Goodreads giveaway winner. Very informative about one’s journey to good health.
278 reviews
July 11, 2024
Well I was excited to read this book as I had won it on Goodreads.
Sadly this book will go into the DNF pile. Author feels it is necessary to get political instead of sticking to what she says the book is about.
By getting political, it really took away from what she was trying to share.
Hey if you like books where the authors political views are sprinkled throughout, this book is for you.
116 reviews3 followers
August 16, 2024
Sacred Psychiatry

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There is a lot of good information in here and it's a book that you can always come back to and reference. After reading it, I realized I needed to get back into my spiritual practice and take care of myself more. I highly recommend it and thank you for my copy!
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