Psychotherapists are searching for alternatives to psychotropic medications when the somatic realm needs to be addressed in therapy. Homeopathy is a viable option used extensively and successfully around the world for 200 years. The wholistic nature of homeopathy allows the expression of the essential essence of a person, in contrast to the suppressive action of allopathic medications.

There is limited literature on the interaction of homeopathy and psychotherapy, and there is no literature about the effect of homeopathic remedies on the psychotherapeutic relationship. Psychotherapists require more information to make critical clinical decisions.

This study is a qualitative, phenomenological investigation of the experience of psychotherapists who work with patients given homeopathic remedies. In-depth interviews were conducted with seven psychotherapists who refer patients to homeopaths and six psychotherapist-homeopaths. The results are presented in the form of individual portraits verified by the co-researchers, themes, and synthesis.

Analysis reveals that most co-researchers had significant personal experiences with homeopathy prior to recommending it to patients. Thirty-nine descriptions of improvements in patients are identified including the opening of heart energy, touching the life-force, and returning to essence. Patients are more able to disidentify with their problems, be open to feelings, experience the world as friendly, be decisive, report more dreams, move to deeper work, and stay connected. Medications can be reduced, and therapy is often shorter. These descriptions indicate a movement in the subtle body that is supportive of the individuation process.

Details to be considered by therapists are explored including transference implications, explaining homeopathy, consultation with homeopaths, effect on dreams, medications, and understanding remedy pictures. Complications with antidoting, difficulties finding remedies, dosages, serious mental illness, limits of practice, and legal issues are also discussed. Homeopathy provides a new perspective on therapy and introduces a wholistic, empathic energy into the therapeutic field. The metaphors and archetypal nature of homeopathic remedies are useful in depth psychotherapy.

This research indicates that homeopathy can work synergistically with psychotherapy to move patients towards greater awareness and wholistic functioning. Co-researchers emphasize the need for more education about this alchemical partnership that is in alliance with the natural world.