ABSTRACT
Among spiritual practices, rituals may be one of the most powerful tools in advancing one’s spirituality. All spiritual traditions as well as certain nonreligious organizations have developed their own rituals and celebrations. This is why it is very useful for a counselor to understand and to possibly even use the healing potential embedded in rituals. Fortunately, we already have some scientific research and reflection on this topic. We know what the essential elements of good rituals are and have certain theories to support our understanding. This chapter presents the theological and psychological background as well as the essential elements of successful rituals. It also explores their potential for use during counseling, and will use a number of practical examples to illustrate this potential.
