12 May
2009
5th Critical Multicultural & Diversity Conference 2009
Integrating Traditional Healing Practices into Counselling Psychology & Psychotherapy.
Stephen and Allen were invited to present at the 5th Critical Multicultural & Diversity Conference 8/4-8/5/09 at the University of Toronto. The conference title is “Integrating Traditional Healing Practices into Counselling Psychology & Psychotherapy.” For more information on this conference see: http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/cdcp/
Here is the presentation description:
Section 4: Traditional Healing and its Contemporary Formulations
Sweat Lodge as a Healing Ritual; Ayurveda; Naturopathy; TCM; Morita and Nikan Therapy; Network chiropractics; I-Ching; Yoga; Mindfulness meditation; Shiatsu; Reiki; Touch and Energy healing; Qigong; …
WORKSHOP
Sweat Therapy: Integrating sweat rituals into counseling and psychotherapy.
Stephen Colmant, Ph.D. and Allen Eason, Ph.D.
Sweat rituals have been used as traditional medicine throughout the world for thousands of years to promote well-being. Examples include the Native American sweat lodge ceremony, the Finnish sauna, the Russian bania, the Islammic hammam and Korean jim jil bang to name a few. This workshop will discuss the potentials of sweat practices to enrich educational and therapeutic programming. Dr. Colmant and Dr. Eason have completed several research studies on sweat therapy with at-risk youth and university students. They will review the research on the physiological, spiritual and psychological effects of sweating and present a theoretical model on the mechanisms for how sweat rituals operate to deliver therapeutic effects. Just as there are many forms of sweat practices, there are many means of incorporating counseling and group work with sweating. The facilitators hope to encourage people to be creative in incorporating sweat therapy into their work setting while being respectful of culturally specific practices.
Stephen Colmant, Ph.D. completed his doctorate through the Counseling Psychology Program at Oklahoma State University in 2005 and is a licensed psychologist with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Health and Medical Division, in Cherokee, NC, USA.
Allen Eason, Ph.D. completed his doctorate through the Counseling Psychology Program at Oklahoma State University in 2008 and is an Assistant Professor in American Ethnic Studies at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, USA.
19 March
2009
Demystifying Sweat Therapy?
We know that Exercise, Meditation, and Group Counseling all have significant therapeutic effects on healing and well-being. Sweat therapy combines these three activities within the context of a primary nature-based experience.
Participants spend between three to four, 15-minute intervals in a sauna. The temperature is about 180° F. I refer to the intervals in the sauna as rounds.
In the first round, I encourage participants to talk about whatever is important to them.
The second round is a silent round and I encourage people to meditate or think about a certain topic related to their identified problem. Relaxing music plays in the background.
In the third round, people often talk about their experience in the silent round and continue to process their problem and discuss potential solutions.
In between each round, there is a 5 to 10-minute break in which people recuperate. They drink water and continue to process.
The basic reason I use a sauna is because the experience helps relieve stress and it helps people relax and open up more. Since it is an intense physical experience that does not require movement, it fits well with group counseling. I incorporate meditation because it promotes insight and creativity.
For more information on sweat therapy procedure, see the Sweat Therapy Treatment Manual at http://psychsymposium.com/20. For more information on how sweat therapy works, see Sweat Therapy Theory at http://psychsymposium.com/55.
04 February
2009
The Claim: Sitting in a Sauna Can Relieve Cold Symptoms
New York Times
February 3, 2009
By ANAHAD O’CONNOR
THE FACTS
Scientists recently confirmed the age-old notion that hot liquids can relieve some cold and flu symptoms. But what about a dose of heat on a much larger scale — say, in a sauna?
With temperatures of 176 Fahrenheit or greater, saunas have been recommended for arthritis, asthma and chronic fatigue, among other things, since they were used by nomads in Finland centuries ago. Some reputed benefits have not been examined, but there is evidence that saunas may speed recovery from colds and reduce their occurrence.
Some researchers suspect sauna heat reduces symptoms because it improves drainage, while others speculate that the high temperatures help weaken cold and flu viruses. Why this might prevent sickness in the first place, however, is unclear. But research suggests an effect.
In one study by Austrian researchers, for example, a group of 50 adults were split into two groups and tracked for six months. One group was instructed to use saunas regularly; the other group abstained. At the end of the study the sauna group had contracted fewer colds.
“This was found particularly during the last three months of the study period, when the incidence was roughly halved compared to controls,” the scientists wrote.
Other studies have found similar results. But doctors caution that saunas can be hazardous to those with heart or circulatory problems.
THE BOTTOM LINE
There is evidence sauna use might reduce or prevent cold symptoms.
scitimes@nytimes.com
07 December
2008
Sweat Therapy Center
This is a sketch for an outpatient counseling office featuring a sauna for sweat therapy. As shown, the office would include a waiting area, area for secretary, two offices for counselors, men’s and women’s locker rooms and a 10’ X 10’ sauna. Notice that the only way into the sauna is through the locker rooms. This would minimize water problems and keep people from wandering into the hallway wearing towels. In between intervals in the sauna, the group would use the locker room areas to recuperate.
