Culture-Embedded Indigenous Healing Practices

Tseng, Wen-Shing

doi:10.1016/b978-012701632-0/50107-8

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The role and impact of traditional healers in Latino populations are well known (8). To their position of authority in highly hierarchical social groups, they add an aura of wisdom and charisma with associated “special powers” (communication with deities, use of strange languages, exotic rituals, and so on), which is enhanced by the religious fervor of people like Luis’s mother.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depression in a Latino Man in New York

Alarcón¹,

Oquendo²,

Wainberg³

2014

AJP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This case illustrates some of the issues that may affect a Latino patient’s presentation. Although the patient’s constellation of symptoms are classically representative of major depression, the patient also raises themes regarding the process of immigration, subsequent challenges in acculturation and identification with the host culture versus the culture of origin, and culture-specific notions about causes of symptoms. In addition to some of the special features of stigma in Latino cultures, the prominence of physical concerns in the presentation and the use of traditional healers contribute to the complexity of selecting appropriate interventions for this young man.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depression in a Latino Man in New York

Alarcón¹,

Oquendo²,

Wainberg³

2014

AJP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Culture and Therapy with Special Subgroups

Tseng

2003

Clinician's Guide to Cultural Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Indigenous, folk healing practices

Tseng¹

2012

New Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The comparative study of indigenous healing practices and modern psychotherapy has revealed the existence of certain universal elements of the healing process that operate as important factors for therapy, whether the therapy is carried out in a primitive or modern form. The universal and nonspecific healing factors identified are: the cultivation of hope, the activation of surrounding support, and the enhancement of culturally sanctioned coping. The study of indigenous healing practices has also pointed out the existence of supernatural dimensions of healing power, which are less intentionally utilized in modern therapy. Despite the general usefulness of folk therapies, the ill effects of some have not been widely studied and reported. Yet, clinical observation has disclosed that some folk therapists cause harm to the clients who seek their services. Under the guise of treatment, tricking a client out of his money by deceit or fraud, or sexual involvement with a client, are examples of disreputable behaviour that are occasionally reported. Harming a client by prescribing dangerous substances, and physically injuring or even killing a client by accident during the performance of an exorcism, are other examples of serious complications that have occurred. No matter what position is taken, there is one simple fact that deserves attention, namely, that there exists a wide range of professional quality among so-called folk healers, and different motivations for practice. Some are benign healers motivated by a desire to serve, while others are not. Some are well-trained in their particular professions and know how to practice within its limitations, while others are not—and are liable for malpractice. The major problem is that, from a public health point of view, in most societies, there still are no formal guidelines for regulating folk therapy, as there are for modern therapy. Folk therapy, whether it is shamanistic practice or faith healing, should be subject to periodic surveys and reevaluation by the public health administration, as is modern clinical work, so that its benefits to clients can be protected and any potential malpractice can be prevented. If any folk therapist refuses to be examined and regulated, he or she should be discouraged or prevented from practicing.

show abstract

Culture-Embedded Indigenous Healing Practices

Cited by 3 publications

References 37 publications

Depression in a Latino Man in New York

Depression in a Latino Man in New York

Culture and Therapy with Special Subgroups

Indigenous, folk healing practices

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About