Spiritist Therapies: Theory and Practice of a Well-Developed Transcultural Paradigm of Mental Healthcare
A breakthrough model, developed over 100+ years, incorporating the best of ancient wisdom and modern science. Includes use of medical intuitives, energy healers, blessed water, and spirit release within integrative medicine.
About this course
Spiritist Therapies offer a remarkably developed model of integrative mental healthcare that has evolved in Brazil over more than 100 years. Drawing from both ancient wisdom and modern science, this approach combines shamanic and spiritual healing practices with contemporary psychological and medical care. In this course, you will be introduced to a mental healthcare paradigm that includes energy healing, spirit release, ecumenical prayer, cautious use of medication, and collaboration among psychiatrists, medical intuitives, and healers working as a team.
The course explores how this model is practiced in real clinical settings and why it offers such a compelling alternative to more limited approaches to mental health treatment. You will learn about passe, a Spiritist form of energy healing, how medical intuitives are trained, and how Spiritist methods are used within an integrative framework of diagnosis and care. The course also shares recent research that helps validate this methodology and examines how this paradigm may be thoughtfully integrated into other healthcare contexts.
Through a documentary film, pre-recorded presentations, and seven interviews, you will hear from North American and Brazilian psychiatrists, physicians, and psychotherapists who explain how Spiritist Therapies work, how they understand consciousness, and what this model contributes to mental healthcare. You will also gain insight into the operations of a Spiritist psychiatric hospital in Brazil and the broader international work of the Spiritist Medical Association.
This course is appropriate for both healthcare professionals and the general public. For providers, it offers practical ideas, tools, and perspectives that may enrich clinical work and expand how consciousness, healing, and diagnosis are understood. Course materials are available now, can be reviewed indefinitely after enrollment, and include one scheduled live discussion. 8.5 Continuing Education credits are available.
Learning Objectives
Describe the three principles of Spiritism, when they originated and who originated them.
Assess what is innovative about Spiritist therapies as practiced in Spiritist Community Centers and Spiritist Psychiatric Hospitals in Brazil and why it is “integrative”.
Compare treatment of highly sensitive persons (HSP) in Spiritist Centers and Hospitals in Brazil to treatment for HSP in the USA’s psychiatric clinics and hospitals.
Describe the theory and core techniques of giving a “passe” to themselves or another person.
Explain the reasons why all the therapies and trainings offered in the Spiritist Community Centers are given at no cost.
Apply “non-judgmental peer support” in an in-patient and outpatient setting.
Syllabus
Introduction
(30 min vid) Spiritism: Bridging Spirituality and Health- (1min vid/ 1 min read) Welcome/ Format/ Calendar for LIVE meetup
- (2 min read) Faculty Bios
- (1 min read) Acknowledgements/ Request/Disclaimer
Four Homestudy Presentations
- (60 min vid) Emma Bragdon, PhD: Introduction to Spiritism & Spiritist Therapies
- (15 minutes) Marcelo Saad, MD, PhD on Spiritist Medical International Works
- (45 min vid) A. Moreira-Almeida, MD, Bio-Psycho-Socio-Spiritual Approach to Mind and Clinical Practice
- (30 min vid) Marcelo Saad, MD, PhD on Research Re: Spiritist Therapies
- Resources/ References from Dr. Saad's Presentations
- (50 min vid) Jeffrey Rediger, MD, M.Div.--Stories of Extraordinary Healing and the Future of Medicine
Near-Death and Mystical Experiences
- (49 min vid) Spiritist Energy Work: Emma Bragdon
- PDF of Slides from Emma Bragdon & Elza D'Agosto on Spiritist Passes
- (90 min vid) Jussara Korngold: Training of Mediums & Medical Intuitives for Spiritist Work
- (60 min vid) with Dr. Roberto Lucio a psychiatrist at a Spiritist Psychiatric Hospital in Brazil
- (1 min read) Introducing Dagmar Ramos, MD
- (20 min vid) Dagmar Ramos, MD, describes Spiritist Psych Hospital in Goiania, Brazil
- (30 min presentation/ 1 hour Panel) Integration: Importing Spiritist Therapies From Brazil
Optional Quiz
- Quiz: Test Your Knowledge
Your Instructor
Emma Bragdon, PhD
Dr. Emma Bragdon is a pioneer in body–mind–spirit wellness with 50 years of experience in integrative approaches to mental health, healing, and human development. She has written seven books, co-produced two documentary films, and has taught experiential learning for adults since 1985. Emma volunteered with the Spiritual Emergence Network (SEN) for seven years, editing their journal and coordinating conferences at Esalen Institute with founders Stanislav and Christina Grof. Her PhD dissertation, "How to Support Someone in Spiritual Emergency," launched a lifelong specialization in this field. From 2001–2012, she conducted field research at Spiritist Community Centers and Psychiatric Hospitals in Brazil, studying their 120-year-old model of integrative care. Since 2012, she has served as "ambassador" to non-Brazilians for the Spiritist Psychiatric Hospital in Goiânia, Brazil, facilitating seminars for health professionals worldwide.
About Continuing Education Credits
For licensed health professionals seeking CE credits for license renewal
CE Provider Information
CE credits are provided by Westbrook University, an APA-approved continuing education provider for healthcare professionals.