The Grofs’ Model of Spiritual Emergency in Retrospect: Has it Stood the Test of Time?

Abstract

Te purpose of this essay is to review the Grofs’ model of spiritual emergencies. Te authors ask: Has the model been useful for identifying and treating psycho-spiritual distress? Should it be amended? Spiritual emergency can be defined as a crisis involving religious, transpersonal, and/or spiritual issues that provides opportunities for growth. Spiritual emergence, meanwhile, lends itself to gentler transformation. Te research methods include an archival literature review triangulated with an authoritative interview. Te findings are that the Grofs’ model of spiritual emergencies was ahead of its time and that the medical establishment needs to catch up. Adaptations and revisions that expand and refine it could help bring acceptance and further application of this useful model to people in psycho-spiritual crises.