Purchasing Information
all book prices now include postage
Purchases in bulk from centres or trade: multiple discounts offered please
email your requirements for a pro-forma invoice.
If you have any problems
ordering a copy of any of these books, contact
Psychosynthesis Avalon.
Psychosynthesis Books
Books by:
Will Parfitt
Rachael Clyne
Geoffrey Windham
Nicki Holland
Piero Ferrucci
Diana Whitmore
Molly Brown
The following books, by a variety of psychosynthesis and related authors, are those we recommend to further your understanding of the subject.
There is no 'final authority' in psychosynthesis saying what it is or is not, so it is a good idea to get a perspective on the subject by investigating what different authors write about it. If you have any suggestions for other books on psychosynthesis you would like to see added to this listing please contact us with the title(s) and a few words why you believe it would be good to see them here.
Author: Will Parfitt
Will is a UKCP registered psychosynthesis psychotherapist and a fellow of the Institute of Continuing Professional Development. He undertook an apprenticeship with Diana Whitmore and had a Diploma from the Psychosynthesis and Education Trust.He is the director of Psychosynthesis Avalon and a teacher of practical Kabbalah.
Psychosynthesis: The Elements and Beyond
Psychosynthesis in Theory and Practice
Will Parfitt
PS Avalon,
NEW REVISED EDITION 2006
ISBN: 978-0-9552786-0-0
£13.00 (20% discount £10.40)
'Will Parfitt has done an admirable job of distilling the essence of Psychosynthesis
into a communicable, palatable form.'
(Alexis du Pont de Bie, American Board of Master Educators)
'A splendid book and well written.' (Edith Stauffer, President, Psychosynthesis
International)
'Will does a very nice job summarising the core aspects of Psychosynthesis, and then reaching further and deeper,
peeping through the wall of silence and into the esoteric roots of this beautiful therapeutic and educational modality. A stepping stone into luminosity. (Book Prize)
'This book is written with clarity, breadth of vision, and gentle humour. I found it easily applicable and relevant to everyday life,
consistent and practical in its teaching, and at the same time imaginative and creative. An extremely profound subject, made clear
and understandable.' (Book Prize)
This new, revised edition of Psychosynthesis: The Elements and Beyond takes the reader into deep explorations of the psychospiritual and transpersonal realms in a practical way and reveals Psychosynthesis as the psychology of choice for now, its relevance emphasised not just for the individual but also for the larger world in which we live.
An extract from Part 1 Elements of
Psychosynthesis
An extract from Part 2 Beyond the Elements
The first part of this book is available on the Kindle as The Elements of Psychosynthesis, see here
Psychosynthesis:
New Perspectives
and Creative Research
The Best of The Synthesist Journal
edited by Will Parfitt
PS Avalon,
2009
ISBN: 978-0-9562162-0-5
£13.00 (20% discount £10.40)
'Wit and wisdom to guide the unfoldment of your potential.'(API-UK)
'I think the interweaving of thinking and ideas, with imagination, intutions and felt and lived experiences is what this book does well. It creates a colourful and creative patchwork of personal and professional experiences, all held within the container of Psychosynthesis… .. it is a creative and enjoyable book that offers up some unusual areas to the Psychosynthesis community, making it a welcome additon to the literature.'
(Karen Baillie, PET News)
Fifteen authors explore a variety of perspectives on Psychosynthesis in the modern world, including the transforming effect of love in the therapeutic process, the need for authentic relationship for therapy to be effective, how astrology can impact upon therapeutic work, the hidden mythic depths in the Harry Potter stories, how to go beyond protest and blame towards international cooperation, aspects of training, biblical literature, alchemy and gnosticism. Case studies and a sprinkling of first class poetry, all steeped in the visions and values of Psychosynthesis, make this collection a must for all practitioners and everyone who wants to further their own personal and spiritual development.
Contents details
The Something and Nothing of Death
'a book to read before you die'
Will Parfitt
PS Avalon, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-9552786-4-8
£10.00 (9.00 with 10% discount)
'A brilliant, enlightening, contemplative, profound book which requires courage and a non-dual open mind to read it.'
(HY)
'Will provides many perspectives from which to see the "something" or the "nothing" of death - coming back always to the spirit of honest inquiry, and what might be called a lively acceptance of something we cannot evade. We are not besieged by any kind of party line, and yet Will doesn't flinch from laying out given modes of thought and belief.' (Barbara Brown)
'As a hospice volunteer for twenty years, I have read many books on death and dying. I really appreciated the freshness of this book; not only is it full of interesting information on the subject, but it also contains many experiential exercises for coming to terms with Life's inevitable losses. I also enjoyed Mr Parfitt's sense of humour on this challenging topic!' (Lynn Davis)
The Something and Nothing of Death is a source of inspiration, enabling you to face the prospect of death with a new spirit of inquiry. Through increased understanding and the lessening of unconscious fears, you can make a positive, life-enriching change to your perspective on and relationship with death.
An extract from the introduction to the Something and Nothing of Death
This book is available in a Kindle edition, see here
Author: Rachael Clyne
Rachael is a BACP senior accredited counsellor and psychotherapist, registered with UKRCP. Trained in Psychosynthesis, she has worked with groups and individuals since 1984, and has evolved an integrative approach to her work. Rachael enpowers people by offering practical self-help strategies, as well as drawing on the spiritual perspectives embodied by Psychosynthesis.
Breaking The Spell
The Key to Recovering Self Esteem
Rachael Clyne
PS Avalon, 2005
ISBN: 0-9544764-5-X
£10.00
'Sensible and insightful...
life-changing'
(Jenny Shepherd, PET Newsletter)
'A lovely, well laid out and empowering book....
perceptive descriptions and no-nonsense analysis of the issues'
(Amazon)
'This book has achieved the difficult task of dealing with a complex topic in a wonderfully light hearted way.I was delighted that the book plummeted such depths of the human condition in a conversational format. I am a counsellor and keep a loan copy for clients and so many people have found this book beneficial because it de mystifies low self esteem and provides the ways and means to deal with it.'(Maureen Ni Fiann)
By sharing her own experience, and drawing on a variety of approaches, including psychosynthesis, cognitive behavioural methods, and twelve-step recovery work, Rachael Clyne brings a sense of equality and aliveness as well as depth to this book. It explains how self-esteem operates and offers ways of breaking destructive behaviour patterns. Each chapter contains creative activities for developing a healthier and more loving sense of self.
The book is illustrated with Rachael's pertinent and witty cartoons.
Extract: The introduction and start of Chapter 1 from Breaking The Spell
Author: Geoffrey Windham
Geoffrey a Senior Accredited Member of the BACP. His approach is integrative, helping people towards rediscovering their value, including the shades of light and shadow that all humans share. He is particularly interested in the relationships that we have with ourselves and how that mirrors into the world. Geoffrey believes in a pragmatic, action-oriented spirituality.
Usual Me
The rants and ramblings of a psychotherapist
Geoffrey Windham
PS Avalon, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9552786-2-4
£10.00
'I read your book on a recent train journey and enjoyed it and learning about you and how you handle life and people. I like your honesty and rawness - and being content with unknowing.' (William Bloom)
'Usual Me is engaging and challenging. Through poetry, snapshots of therapy sessions, personal experience and reflection Geoffrey Windham invites us to consider the comedy and tragedy of being both small and great beings on this planet at this point in time. It is warm, direct and wise.' (Amazon)
'Windham explains his ideas in a direct and conversational way. He pulls together strands from many different psychological and spiritual paths. Combining Kabir, Ken Wilber and Monty Python, Lao Tsu, Lenny Bruce and Martin Buber in an entertaining and humorous way, yet still managing to make the very serious point of the way we humans treat each other.'(Sean Gardner)
Windham, in this ground-breaking book, explores whether we can recognise
each other and ourselves as embodied human beings, fearful of our mortality,
wary of each other, yet connected and defined by otherness. Brimming full with cutting-edge psychology
from the mind of a insightful psychotherapist, Windham's book takes the
reader beyond the rants and ramblings of a psychotherapist into a deep inquiry
not only into psychology but the very meaning of life itself.
Introduction and start of Chapter 1 from Usual Me
Author: Nicki Holland
Nicki is a UKCP registered psychotherapist who has worked in the healing profession for over twenty years, in a clinical setting and in private practice. She trained in psychosynthesis, has experience of many psychological, physical and spiritual principles, and has undergone the very deepest personal analysis in order to strengthen the core of her inner self.
Finding Your Self Through Madness
Understanding madness
from the inside
Nicki Holland
PS Avalon, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-9552786-7-9
£13.00 (10.40 with 20% discount)
'This is a book which should be read by every professional who works in the field of Mental Health, along with anyone who is themselves experiencing the chaos of psychosis. The author challenges the generally accepted concept of psychosis as an 'illness' and puts forward an extremely strong case for viewing psychosis as a response to emotional trauma in childhood. Personal experience is combined with sound theory to produce a very readable and challenging, book. The author encourages all professionals working with clients experiencing psychosis to explore their own psychotic self [to be] equipped with an otherwise un-learnable quality necessary for deeply distressed clients to feel safely held on their own journey into the dark night of the soul.' (Amazon)
Finding Your Self Through Madness is a rare opportunity to understand madness from the inside. A vivid autobiographical exploration of personal psychosis is woven into a well described theoretical framework. Through extremes of light and dark, Holland leads the reader to a meaningful understanding of how psychotic experiences might be transformed into a greater sense of self and well being.
An extract from the introduction to
Finding Your Self Through Madness
Psychosynthesis Books from other publishers
The links for purchasing these books from other publishers are to the UK Amazon store; if you live elsewhere you might like to find the book in your local Amazon site.
Author: Piero Ferrucci
Piero Ferrucci is a psychotherapist and a philosopher. He was trained by Roberto Assagioli, the founder of psychosynthesis, and has written several books, including this seminal work on Psychosynthesis: What We May Be: The Vision and Techniques of Psychosynthesis It is a comprehensive description of this approach, with exercises and practical tips written in Piero's engaging style.
Author: Diana Whitmore
Diana Whitmore had didactic training with Roberto Assagioli, and is the head of The Psychosynthesis and Education Trust in London. This book, Psychosynthesis Counselling in Action is an excellent introduction to how psychosynthesis is applied in the world of counselling, with plenty of theory backed up with useful, practical examples of how such counselling works.
Author: Molly Young Brown
Molly Young Brown trained in Psychosynthesis, including with Assagioli, and has a particular interest in systems thinking and deep ecology, having studied and worked with Joanna Macy. The Unfolding Self is a fine study of the subject with the original principles and practices of psychosynthesis explored with examples and exercises suitable for anyone on a path of self-discovery.