The Ways of the Soul: A Psychiatrist Reflects: Essays on Life, Death and Beyond

In pursuit of scientific credibility, psychiatry has neglected the spiritual dimension. Yet psychiatrists are daily confronted by problems of meaning and purpose that neither medical nor psychological treatments alone can relieve. In each of us, however, there is a spiritual resource that helps overcome emotional distress and encourages us to serve life in our own unique and creative way. In this work of great humanity that takes us far beyond the prevailing medical model, Dr Andrew Powell shows how we can draw on the wisdom of the soul to awaken love and confer healing on heart and mind.

‘Andrew Powell has written a wise and compassionate book which seeks to put the soul back into psychiatry. He shows that spirituality is not an optional extra in psychiatry but at the heart of good clinical practice. Readable and insightful, this volume is recommended for all those concerned to reunite care for the soul with care for mind and body’.

-The Rev. Professor Christopher Cook, Professor of Spirituality, Theology and Health, Durham University, UK, and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist.

‘Andrew Powell has succeeded in honouring the spiritual dimension of the psyche as fundamental to psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment. He does this in a very human way that is easy to relate to and understand. This is an important step in refocussing clinical treatment on a more balanced and whole approach. Highly recommended’.

-Dr Nigel Hamilton, Director, the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education, UK.