Ayurveda insights into counselling according to your dosha
- joannawebber9
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
“In order to change, people need to become aware of their sensations and the way that their bodies interact with the world around them. Physical self-awareness is the first step in releasing the tyranny of the past.” (The Body Keeps The Score, van der Kolk)
As I come towards the end of my integrative counselling training, I've put down some thoughts on Ayurveda insights into counselling and how awareness of your balance of the doshas can help you choose a type of counselling that will feel safe, effective and attuned. I’ve focussed especially on the three modalities in which I will qualify in which are Person-Centred Therapy, Gestalt and CBT, along with somatic and mindfulness techniques. I am very much looking forward to bringing together my Ayurvedic approach with counselling, as our emotions are so powerful. Ayurveda sees that body and mind are intimately connected and that any illness can have physical and mental aspects. Indeed, Ayurveda recognises that each and every cell has consciousness (apart from our nails and hair!) Polyvagal theory is helping to bring modern psychology closer to Ayurvedic thought by strengthening attention to the body mind link, nervous-system regulation, safety, relationships and individualised well-being.
If you want to become more familiar with the different types of therapies mentioned there is an excellent A-Z here from the BACP: Types of counselling and psychotherapy
“Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It’s simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of ‘You’re not alone. ’ (Brené Brown)
Ayurveda insights into counselling according to your dosha
If you are predominant in vata dosha (sensitive, fast-moving and imaginative qualities)
Vata predominant constitutions are intuitive, creative and quick-thinking. You may also be more prone to anxiety, overwhelm, dissociation and self-doubt. Your nervous system is easily overstimulated. This dosha is primarily made of the air and space elements. Any excess if air causes instability and agitation, and excess space makes us ungrounded, spaced out and unrealistic. The mind body connection can weaken, with the body becoming weakened as we live in our thoughts. The can be brought on by any disturbances, excess consumption of mass media, use of smart phones, stimulants, violence, and trauma from childhood.
Common symptoms in a vata predominant person seeking counselling:
Loss of confidence, confusion, indecisiveness
Fear, anxiety
Loss of sleep
Loss of sense/motor organ function
Constant speech, maybe lacking in coherence
Inappropriate actions
Best-suited counselling approaches:
Person-Centred Therapy: Provides warmth, safety and relational grounding.
Somatic Therapy: Supports regulation through breathwork, grounding and body awareness exercises
Mindfulness-Based Therapies: Help anchor attention and reduce rumination.
Internal Family Systems (IFS/ ‘Parts work’): Works well with the imaginative inner world.
These all offer containment, predictability and embodied presence, helping vata predominant counselling clients feel safe enough to explore deeper emotional material. They may also be drawn to group work, being supported by other people's processes.
Advice for counsellors when dealing with vata predominant clients?
As these individuals can talk a lot, and rapidly, they may ‘fill all the space’ so be prepared to interrupt kindly, especially if they head into ‘story telling mode’. You will need to be sensitive to managing their anxiety and fear ‘in the room’.
I think of a toxin (ama) as anything that does not serve my life anymore but is still ‘hanging around’. It may be yesterday’s poorly digested supper, last week’s argument, last year’s shock or last decade’s disappointment” (Sebastian Pole, A Pukka Life)
If you are predominant in pitta dosha: driven, insightful, intense
Pitta predominant constitutions are analytical, ambitious and perceptive. Under stress, they may become self-critical, perfectionists, irritable and controlling. This dosha can be thought of as primarily made up of the fire and water elements. If pitta is aggravated, there will be aggression, hostility, overtly critical comments, along with an overheated body and mind seeking to release or vent built-up tension. A common cause according to David Frawley is too competitive an education or experience of childhood conflict. Other causes are a pitta provoking diet and lifestyle, coming into contact with excess heat and being overly ambitious.
Common symptoms in a pitta predominant person seeking counselling:
Anger, impatience, irritation
Discontent, anguish
May be using alcohol to help manage emotions
Reduced sleep
Best-suited counselling approaches:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Provides structure and challenges rigid thinking.
Gestalt Therapy: Encourages emotional awareness and reduces reactivity.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Pragmatic and action-oriented.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Supports emotional flexibility and self-compassion.
Pitta benefits from modalities that challenge cognitive rigidity while encouraging emotional openness. They appreciate directness, clarity, and intellectual engagement.
Advice for counsellors when dealing with pitta predominant clients?
Pitta predominant clients may come across as a bit of a ‘closed book’ in the room. You will need to earn their trust and respect to share their innermost selves. They may also try and take control of the process.
“We think we listen, but very rarely do we listen with real understanding, true empathy. Yet listening, of this very special kind, is one of the most potent forces for change that I know.” Carl Rogers
Kapha dosha: steady, compassionate, deep-feeling
Kapha predominant constitutions are nurturing, patient, and grounded. Under strain, they may withdraw, become stuck or struggle with motivation. This constitution tends to have fewer psychological problems, though excess kapha disturbs the mind by blocking the channels and clouding the senses. Kapha psychological unrest involves unhealthy attachment and lack of motivation, which could manifest as wanting to remain a child and be taken care of, or never moving out of home. Made up of the elements of earth and water, aggravations can be caused by excess pleasure, enjoyment, attachment in life, kapha provoking diet and lifestyle, being over indulged as a child, or emotionally smothered by parents.
Common symptoms in a kapha predominant person seeking counselling:
Depression
Resistance to movement, lassitude, staying in one place
Procrastination
Love of solitude and silence
Sleepiness
Best-suited counselling approaches:
Person-Centred Therapy : Supports kapha’s need for relational depth and empathy.
Gestalt Therapy: Encourages expression, experimentation and activation.
Transactional analysis: Categorises the human personality into three states (Parent, Adult and Child) which can help you understand how you interact with others.
Narrative Therapy: Helps reframe long-held stories and increase agency.
Kapha needs warmth, encouragement and gentle activation. These modalities help shift clients from inertia to active engagement.
Advice for counsellors when dealing with kapha predominant clients?
These clients may lack self-motivation so may need a little more of your energy to act as a catalyst (but don’t fall into a pattern of working harder than them ‘in the room’). They may get stuck so be aware of the need to keep the conversation moving forward.
Of course, we are all blend of each of the above doshas. Using Ayurveda's insights into which type of counselling is right for us is not about stereotyping but recognising patterns and choosing approaches that harmonise rather than clash. Ayurveda reminds us that healing is relational. The best counselling modality is the one that:
Meets your current dosha imbalance
Supports your nervous system
Aligns with your worldview
Feels safe, empowering and sustainable
Useful reading:
Frawley, D. (1997) Ayurvedic Psychology: A Practical Guide. Twin Lakes: Lotus Press.
Frawley, D. (1994) Ayurveda and the Mind: The Healing of Consciousness. Twin Lakes: Lotus Press.
Kabat‑Zinn, J. (1990) Full Catastrophe Living. New York: Delacorte.
Lad, V. (2002–2007) Textbook of Ayurveda: Fundamental Principles, Vols. 1–3. Albuquerque: Ayurvedic Press.
Svoboda, R.E. (1989) Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution. Twin Lakes: Lotus Press.
Porges, S.W. (2011) The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self‑Regulation. New York: Norton.
Joanna Webber BSc Hons Ayurveda Manipal-India, MA Oxon, APA member: is an Ayurvedic practitioner, yoga teacher and co-founder of The Ayurveda Academy. They offer an engaging 3-month CPD certified ‘Introduction to Ayurveda’ course as well as practitioner level courses. She runs a busy clinic in Somerset offering a full range of authentic Ayurvedic treatments, herbs and 1:1 retreats. She also qualifies as an integrative counsllor in 2027.
