Abstract

This theoretical study distills and refines the Yoga psychology of Patanjali into a clinical model of psychotherapy. It considers the primary influences that contributed to the development of this approach along with its philosophical, epistemological, ontological, and psychospiritual underpinnings. It presents the Yoga psychology approach to mental health and well-being through an examination of its guiding principles and central tenets, including sources of psychological disturbance, therapeutic goals, and theory of change. The theoretical basis of the study is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and Yoga psychology theory, based on Patanjala Yoga. The Yoga Sutras are considered the foundation of all Yoga practice and Yoga psychology. The primary strategy in the reformulation of Yoga psychology theory into Yoga counseling theory is the distillation of essential concepts, principles, and practices of Yoga that are elements of any system of psychotherapy. These elements are reformulated and systematized into a counseling process that forms the framework of a Yoga counseling model. The integration of Yoga theory and counseling structure results in a prototype of a new counseling model for the treatment of mental health problems. A case example is presented, illustrating the applicability and viability of the new model. Conclusions and recommendations for future research in this field are highlighted. ;Yoga psychotherapy offers a multimodal approach to impacting the multidimensional structure of personality. The cornerstone of the approach is Patanjali's eight-limbed system of Yoga which, when translated into counseling interventions, is shown to address cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and psychospiritual disturbances. This study provides information on client assessment, treatment applicability, treatment structure, the counseling relationship, and basic therapist skills according to Yoga psychotherapy. It details the various stages of counseling including the initial interview, building the counseling relationship, goal setting and treatment selection, use of therapeutic strategies, and termination and follow-up