people
THE
HEALING
INNER-LIFE
OF AUTISM
Brisbane psychotherapist
Rachael Lee Harris is the
author of a new book,
Contemplative Therapy
for Clients on the Autism
Spectrum – A Reflective
Integration Therapy Manual
for Psychotherapists and
Counsellors. As the only
profound ways: in ways that many
are contemplative by nature. years later as a psychotherapist, I
Their silence, stillness, intense would incorporate into my clinical
focus and repetition are the very keys practice to the benefit of my clients
that unlock the door to unlimited on the autism spectrum.
personal potential.
Reframing autism
A contemplative journey
I remember the day I passed
My desire to help others on the
spectrum find healing from the
through the large wooden doors that hurts and confusions of a lifetime
led directly into the cloister of the was underpinned by a strongly held
diagnosed with Asperger’s English Carmelite monastery that conviction that autism spectrum
and specialising in the field, would be my home for over three conditions could be approached
Rachael shares insights into years. Within those walls during from a position of health rather than
how mantra meditation and my time as a novice, I discovered pathology. Within my counselling
a wisdom tradition in which the practice, I found a recurring pattern
therapeutic qualities of silence, in my clients – a hunger for a ‘sense
reflection and service healed of self’, of which poor self esteem
and integrated the personality in was its major symptom. I began
psychotherapist in Australia
reflective therapy can be
used for people with high
functioning autism.
30
P
eople on the autism spectrum
people
linkonline.com.au