Many late-diagnosed autistic adults face the challenge of understanding their authentic selves after years of masking. Contemplative Therapy for Clients on the Autism Spectrum introduces Reflective Integration Therapy (RIT), a contemplative approach designed to reduce masking and promote greater authenticity. You might be unsure about incorporating meditation into your life or your client’s life as a therapist or coach, but this book will help you appreciate its value.
This review will explore Harris‘s method of using mantra meditation during sessions with her clients, alongside teachings and therapeutic conversations. It will also provide insights on how the book can guide autistic individuals in seeking a deeper connection with their true selves.
Despite being primarily aimed at therapists, the principles in this book can be personally beneficial even if you don’t intend to practice them with clients. By exploring these principles, autistic readers can consider adopting this contemplative practice as a foundational step toward building personal resilience, self-understanding, and authenticity.
Understanding Reflective Integration Therapy (RIT)
RIT is a psychotherapeutic model that emphasises mantra meditation to integrate various aspects of the self. It aims to promote wellness, emotional resilience, and, most importantly, authenticity, by teaching clients to practice this spiritual technique twice daily.
This therapy is specifically tailored for autistic individuals. However, the book occasionally uses terms that are now considered outdated and unhelpful, like “high-functioning”, and person-first language (“with autism”), which many autistic individuals find distasteful.
Although the practice of mantra meditation may suggest influences from Eastern traditions, Harris, a former Carmelite nun, draws from Western Christian contemplative traditions.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, you can approach RIT as a journey of self-discovery. While the spiritual aspect resonates with my own beliefs, it is important to note that an openness to its spiritual underpinnings, rather than faith, is all that is required for the practice.
Benefits of Mantra Meditation for Autistic Individuals
The central practice in this therapy is mantra meditation, which involves the silent repetition of the phrase “All Shall Be Well” from the writings of Julian of Norwich for 5 or 10 minutes twice a day.
The book serves as a manual explaining various benefits for autistic clients, which the therapist reads and discusses in weekly sessions as, step-by-step, the ‘integration’ of your fragmented sense of self proceeds. These benefits include healing difficult memories, building self-esteem, reducing masking, and inspiring service.
Contemplative therapy has been shown to lead to these outcomes. Focusing on enjoyable sounds and rhythms can positively affect the nervous system, suggesting that mantra meditation can alleviate anxiety and improve emotional regulation.
I encourage you to try this method and work through the teachings in the book. Personally, I have found it beneficial, though it’s difficult to determine if my experiences are solely a result of mantra meditation.
Evaluating the Claims of Reflective Integration Therapy
One of Harris’s most extreme claims about the RIT program is that it can lead to irreversible transformation. She puts forward the idea that the changes produced in autistic individuals are permanent and will not relapse.
This claim warrants critical examination. In the book, Harris presents two case studies; however, if the therapy’s irreversibility is to be substantiated, it must be supported by more extensive research.
While mantra meditation does offer value, I remain sceptical about the claim of irreversibility. Meditation is a lifelong practice, and one may reasonably assume its benefits could diminish if the client ceases to practice.
It is also possible that the positive results Harris observes may stem from the therapeutic relationship itself rather than the therapy alone. I suggest seeking more empirical evidence on the effectiveness of contemplative therapy, particularly concerning autistic clients.
Potential Risks and Considerations
It is important to carefully consider potential drawbacks before trying this new therapeutic technique, monitoring your reactions as you progress through the program.
Be aware that some individuals may feel discomfort regarding the spiritual aspects of RIT. For instance, you might be sceptical of these elements or feel anxious when encountering concepts that do not align with your own spirituality or beliefs.
On rare occasions unexpected physical effects may arise from your posture during meditation, or emotional reactions such as anxiety, sadness, anger, or a sense of unreality. The practice of mantra meditation has even been known to trigger pre-existing mental health conditions.
Decide whether you wish to work with someone trained in RIT or if you prefer to navigate the manual on your own. Be aware that using this material independently carries some risk, as you may need to discuss any difficult feelings with a trained practitioner.
Integrating RIT into Personal Growth Journeys
If you’ve read this far and are still interested in exploring this approach, I recommend this book as an essential starting point and valuable asset on your journey of self-discovery.
The ideas presented here have been helpful to me but require further exploration and reflection. For you this might be best achieved through methods such as therapy (RIT or otherwise), counselling, personal development coaching, or reflective journalling.
You may also want to discuss these insights further with others. This could involve informal conversations with a few trusted individuals, participation in a support group (either in-person or online), or attending a workshop.
For autistic individuals, finding something like RIT can lead to a very focused mindset that may overlook other perspectives. It is important to include diverse viewpoints in your journey to gain a more rounded understanding of the ideas presented.
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Overall, despite the reservations expressed here, I would cautiously recommend Contemplative Therapy for Clients on the Autism Spectrum. By practising mantra meditation and working through the chapters of this book, you can significantly enhance your life. It offers tools to help autistic people reduce their masking and experience greater authenticity.
Embracing contemplative practices, like mantra meditation, may lead to profound personal transformation, allowing you to connect more deeply with your true self. By integrating these practices into your life, you can navigate the world with increased confidence and authenticity, enriching your interactions and overall quality of life.
Further reading: A Preliminary Evaluation of the Feasibility and Efficacy of Mantra-Like Phrase Recitation in Improving Mental Health in Autistic Adults.