Challenges and opportunities to integrating traditional healing into counselling and psychotherapy

Abstract

This paper discusses limitations of Western psychological practice and the calls for integrating traditional healing practices into counselling and psychotherapy. It also explores challenges to and opportunities in integrated psychological practice systems which revolve around issues related to different paradigmatic perspectives about health and ill-health, practice issues and negative characterization of traditional healing and traditional healers, research into traditional healing and uses of herbal medicines. The paper concludes with discussions on educational and training opportunities, for traditional healers, counsellors and psychotherapists, for addressing challenges to integration and ensuring effective services delivery.

Keywords:

• traditional healing
• counselling
• psychotherapy
• cultural knowledge systems
• integrated healthcare systems
• Western healthcare model
• education and training opportunities
• herbal medicines

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.