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Witchcraft and Psychotherapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

J. S. Neki ,
B. Joinet ,
N. Ndosi ,
G. Kilonzo ,
J. G. Hauli  and
G. Duvinage
J. S. Neki*
Affiliation:
Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, WHO Consultant for the National Mental Health Programme of Tanzania
B. Joinet
Affiliation:
Mental Health Resource Centre/Psychiatric Unit, Muhimbili Medical Centre, PO Box 65293, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
N. Ndosi
Affiliation:
Mental Health Resource Centre/Psychiatric Unit, Muhimbili Medical Centre, PO Box 65293, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
G. Kilonzo
Affiliation:
Mental Health Resource Centre/Psychiatric Unit, Muhimbili Medical Centre, PO Box 65293, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
J. G. Hauli
Affiliation:
Mental Health Resource Centre/Psychiatric Unit, Muhimbili Medical Centre, PO Box 65293, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
G. Duvinage
Affiliation:
Mental Health Resource Centre/Psychiatric Unit, Muhimbili Medical Centre, PO Box 65293, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

Belief in witchcraft, which serves a variety of social functions and personal defences, is bound to emerge in psychotherapy with individuals from a culture that holds such beliefs; endeavouring to understand it can open up new therapeutic possibilities. The nature of witchcraft, the profiles with which it intrudes into therapy, and the socio-psychological functions it fulfills are considered. Referring such patients to witchdoctors is morally unjustifiable, but the witch-doctor's folk-image provides a floating transference, around which the therapeutic relationship can be built. In dealing with witchcraft-ideation, understanding is based as much on cultural as on personal empathy, and to enhance its relevance, therapy may appropriate some of the functional dynamics of the witchcraft system into its own therapeutic manoeuvres.

Type
Review Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 149 , Issue 2 , August 1986 , pp. 145 - 155
Copyright
Copyright © 1986 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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