Transitions to Wholeness: Integrating Prenatal, Transpersonal and Somatic Psychology

by Matthew Appleton

Transitions to Integrating Prenatal, Transpersonal and Somatic Psychology, is the outcome of more than two decades of dedicated research work and clinical practice as a psychotherapist and craniosacral therapist working therapeutically with womb and birth experience. The powerful influence of these early experiences on later life is well documented in these pages. This is supported by the research of other practitioners in this field, indigenous teachings, modern trauma therapies and discoveries in a diverse spectrum of scientific disciplines. Transitions offers a uniquely comprehensive grounding of pre and perinatal psychology, in the wider context of somatic and transpersonal psychology. The living expressiveness of the body, as championed by Wilhelm Reich, and the inner world of archetype and image, as revealed by C.G. Jung, are themes that run like vital arteries throughout the body of this book. Theory and principles of practice are animated by stories from personal life and the therapy room. This is a book which challenges us to ask questions about our own nature and our place in Nature.Early in the book, Appleton acknowledges that the three modalities he is exploring - prenatal, somatic and transpersonal - are marginal in relation to mainstream psychology which he describes as “a psychology of the ego.” He “Many of the problems we face today are the results of a culture based on the supremacy of the ego over the deeper aspects of our own nature. This has resulted not only in our alienation from ourselves and each other, but also the natural world as a whole.” His depth of understanding of his subject then shines through as he “However, far from rejecting the ego, the model that is developed throughout this book stresses the importance of a stable ego within the context of a much broader and deeper body-mind continuum. It is only through connecting with our own deep nature that we can truly connect with and know the natural world that we are born out of and born into. But we need a stable ego to be able to relate to these non-egoic states of consciousness. Otherwise we are in danger of becoming either inflated or lost.” This theme is explored in detail throughout the book.There is an excellent glossary, so that the reader can easily find his own way, when ‘technical’ language is necessary, and the bibliography is extensive. The book, also offers three comprehensive appendices. Appendix 1 shows " The Stages of Birth from the Baby’s Perspective", an aspect usually neglected by birth professionals and unknown to most therapists. Appendix 2 presents "Baby Body Language", in photos, showing the expressive nuances and emotional tones which hint at the lived experience of the individual in relation to particular prenatal and birth territory. This provides an invaluable tool for all interested in the field of pre and perinatal psychology. Appendix 3 offers an overview of Psychological and Existential Themes associated with stages of prenatal life and birth, and which reside in the deep unconscious, until such time they are brought into conscious awareness.

Genres: Psychology

506 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2020

Reviews

[Luke McShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew presents an accessible and coherent synthesis of transpersonal, somatic, and pre and perinatal psychology in an intelligent and systematic way. He brings Wilhelm Reich's material into the present, explores its significance to culture as it is today in the West, and expounds concepts such as sex economy and character/bodily armouring in a way that is lucid, engaging, and deeply illuminating. Before doing this, however, he sets up and explores a transpersonal base/metaphysics upon which the remainder of the work will take place.

The area of pre and perinatal psychology is deeply interesting, and I can infer the depth of understanding that Matthew has in this world from how clearly and precisely he writes. This book free from generalisations and comments that sounds impressive but don't hold weight. Quite the opposite: The book is free from unnecessary jargon and Matthew does a stellar job at ensuring his understanding of psychosomatic phenomena is articulated as succinctly and clearly as possible.