Why It's Urgent to Support Awakening
Expanded states of consciousness are becoming an increasingly important part of the mental health conversation. Learn the benefits and risks through interviews with experts for both healthcare providers and the general public.
About this course
More people are reporting experiences of expanded consciousness, and that trend appears to be growing. Stressful collective conditions such as political upheaval, war, pandemics, and ecological crisis can open people to profound inner shifts. The rising use of psychedelics, plant medicines, and meditation practices is also contributing to an increase in intense spiritual experiences. These openings can be deeply meaningful and can point toward human growth, transformation, and flourishing. But they can also be misunderstood.
Most healthcare providers have not been trained to distinguish intense spiritual experiences from symptoms of mental illness. As a result, experiences that may be part of an awakening process are often misread, mishandled, or pathologized. This course helps address that gap by introducing both the promise and the complexity of awakening. You will learn why these experiences matter, what benefits they can bring, and what risks can arise when they unfold without proper understanding or support.
Through six unique video interviews, you will hear from leading voices in the field. Steve Taylor, PhD, explores human evolution and the increase in awakening experiences. Emma Bragdon, PhD, shares her pioneering perspective on spiritual emergency and the crises that can accompany awakening. Rick Archer draws on hundreds of interviews with people undergoing awakening, including many spiritual teachers. Kristine Kaoverii Weber, MA, together with Susan Klein-Holmen, discusses how yoga and restorative practices can support mental health in this context. Kyle Buller, MS, brings insight from the worlds of psychedelic education, psychotherapy, and integration. Jessica Nathanson speaks about the need for spiritual teachers and retreat leaders to recognize and respond skillfully to spiritual emergencies during intensive workshops and meditation retreats.
This course is designed for both healthcare providers and the general public. It offers a broader understanding of awakening as both an opportunity and a responsibility: an opportunity for human development, and a responsibility to respond wisely when these experiences become destabilizing. By the end, you will have a clearer view of the benefits of awakening, the risks that can arise in certain environments, and the importance of informed, compassionate support. 3.5 Continuing Education credits are available.
Learning Objectives
Improve ability to recognize and assess ‘awakening’ and/or ‘spiritual’ experiences. Also to discern the difference between these experiences and categories of mental illness more familiar to them in their training, their lexicon, or their common language.
List 6 ways that catalyze ‘awakening’ or ‘spiritual’ experiences making it vital that patient stories be part of intake.
Describe 6 markers of human evolution and a number of ways that ‘awakening’ experiences support human evolution.
Describe the ways psychiatry & psychology have held back from learning how to support awakening.
Explain the length of time (history) that psychiatry and psychology have held back from recognizing ‘awakening’ or ‘spiritual’ experiences.
Describe the ways we see psychiatry & psychology beginning to open up to support ‘awakening’ experiences.
Revise the way treatment unfolds in your community for those seeking support who are having ‘awakening’ or ‘spiritual’ experiences.
Analyze the reasons it is important to create a universal language for ‘awakening’ or ‘spiritual’ experiences within the lexicon used by healthcare providers.
Syllabus
Introduction
(1.5 min vid) Welcome & Zoom Links for Discussions Aug 5, 2025- (1min read) Acknowledgement, Request, and Disclaimer
- (2 min vid) Setting the Stage: Emma Bragdon, PhD. & Resources for Further Study
- (1 min read) Deepak Chopra: It's Time to Align Mental Health with Spirituality
Unique Video Interviews
- (22 min vid interview) Steve Taylor, PhD Speaks About Evolution and Spiritual Awakening
- (20 min vid) Stories That Illustrate Awakenings in Clinical Setting with Emma Bragdon, PhD.
- (19 min vid) Interview with Rick Archer of Buddha at the Gaspump
- (23 min vid) Interview Kyle Buller, MS, Co-founder of Psychedelics Today
- (20 min vid) Interview Yoga Teachers: Kristine Weber, MA, and Susan Klein-Holman
- (23 min vid) Interview with Jessica Nathanson re: Caution needed with teachings
Summary
- (2 min vid) Summary with Emma Bragdon, PhD.
- Quiz: For Those Getting Continuing Ed Credits
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.