Sweat Therapy

Abstract

Group Sweating is social interaction while experiencing psychophysiological reactions to heat exposure. Examples include the American Indian sweat lodge, the Finnish sauna, the Russian bania, and the Turkish hamman. Sweat Therapy is the combination of group sweating with psychotherapy or counseling.

Investigating the Effects of Sweat Therapy on Group Dynamics and Affect

“…Two of the researchers coded statements based on the content of the response provided by the participant using 11 therapeutic factors: catharsis, self-disclosure, learning from interaction with others, universality, acceptance (measuring Cohesion), altruism, guidance, self-understanding, vicarious learning, instillation of hope, and experiential features. In previous research (Colmant & Merta, 1999, 2000 as well as in this study, we identified statements indicating psychological benefits received from enduring the heat as Experiential Features. If the response could not be discerned to indicate a specific therapeutic factor, no designation was given for the participant's response.…”

“…The CIQ included a modification that was used in the Colmant and Merta (2000) study to measure the degree of benefit group members perceived receiving from a session. At the top of the CIQ form, participants rated the statement, ''I found this group very useful'' on a five-point Likert scale (1 ¼ Strongly Disagree, 5 ¼ Strongly Agree).…”

“…Colmant and Merta (2000) then completed the first inquiry into the use of a multicultural means of combining group sweating with group counseling. Four ethnically diverse boys with disruptive behavior disorders residing at a group home participated in 12 sweat therapy sessions using a sauna.…”

The Sweat Lodge Ceremony: A Healing Intervention for Intergenerational Trauma and Substance Use

“…The universality of the sweat lodge ceremony among Indigenous Peoples-including American Indian tribes from coast to coast, in Alaska, across Canada, and in Mexico-is well documented (Colmant et al, 2005;Colmant & Merta, 2000). Furthermore, evidence of North American Indigenous Peoples using the sweat lodge ceremony can be found as early as 400 B.C.…”

Crying for a Vision: The Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony as Therapeutic Intervention

“…Sweat therapy has also benefited younger boys. Colmant and Merta (2000) examined the effects of combining group sweating with group counseling in a pilot study with four ethnically diverse boys with disruptive behavior residing at a group home. The boys participated in 12 sweat therapy sessions using a sauna.…”