Fostering a Healing Presence and Investigating Its Mediators

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is the exploration and explication of the complex phenomena of "healing presence" and of appropriately supportive theoretical approaches to integrate emerging models for research design. Healing presence is described as an interpersonal, intrapersonal, and transpersonal to transcendent phenomenon that leads to a beneficial, therapeutic, and/or positive spiritual change within another individual (healee) and also within the healer. An integrated framework merging knowledge from diverse fields of research develops the multiple elements of healing presence, the healer, the healee's capacity for response and the healing effect as an entangled phenomenon. A conceptual systemic model is presented, and questions and dilemmas that emerge are delineated. An integrated qualitative-quantitative research design is proposed. A systemic relationship model, which includes the healer, the healee, and persons within the healee's environment is presented. The challenges are substantial, but the research questions are meaningful and worthwhile. The goal is to foster healing at bio-psycho-social-spiritual levels of the human being.

Importance of Building Confidence in Patient Communication and Clinical Skills Among Chiropractic Students

“…84 The doctor-patient relationship has a pronounced impact on patient health and recovery, 21 with the healer needing qualities such as empathy and compassion. 85 Both of these qualities entail active listening, which is an acquired communication skill. Excellent communication, both verbal and nonverbal, results in higher patient satisfaction and treatment adherence 86 and is recognized by patients and student-clinicians as a fundamental consideration in achieving a satisfactory clinical outcome.…”

Using Mindfulness Meditation to Teach Beginning Therapists Therapeutic Presence: A Qualitative Study

“…More recently, mindfulness has been explored as one of the few well‐defined techniques for cultivating therapeutic presence (Bien, 2008; Gehart & McCollum, 2008). Similarly, mindfulness has also been used in medicine to cultivate healing presence in physicians (Epstein, 2003a, 2003b; McDonough‐Means et al., 2004). When students practice mindfulness, they increase their capacity to focus their awareness in the present moment, creating a sense of “being present” that is difficult to quantify but readily perceptible to others by the quality of listening, attitude of receptivity, and open style of engagement (Epstein, 2003b).…”

“…Traditionally, teaching new therapists how to develop an effective therapeutic relationship has focused on skills such as reflective listening, joining, or attending (e.g., Young, 2005). However, some suggest that a more ineffable quality— therapeutic presence —is the key to an effective therapeutic relationship (Geller & Greenberg, 2002; McDonough‐Means, Kreitzer, & Bell, 2004). Therapeutic presence has been defined as having three components: “an availability and openness to all aspects of the client’s experience, openness to one’s own experience in being with the client, and the capacity to respond to the client from this experience” (Geller & Greenberg, 2002, p. 72).…”

Integrative Oncology for the Whole Person: A Multidimensional Approach to Cancer Care

“…A crucial extension of this, however, is not to just "sit there" but actually to be fully present, in an open, receptive attitude of nonjudgmental, attentive listening. [178][179][180] Studies have confirmed that many patients dearly wish that their doctors would listen to them more fully. 181 The simple need for human connection and compassionate listening is universal and is one of the reasons so many people visit CAM practitioners.…”