Integrating Shamanic Methods into Psychotherapy

Evidence of shamanism dates back to prehistory, perhaps as early as 40,000 years ago, and the practices continue to this day. As a psychologist in private practice in Western society, I have had the opportunity to introduce and integrate shamanic methods with psychotherapy. My guiding principle is to help my clients, and over the course of many years, I have become pragmatic, using many varied methods and approaches. Depression, dream work, resolving therapeutic impasses, physical healing with spiritual and psychological components, empowerment, the removal of curses, soul retrieval, strengthening of the self and the releasing of shame are just some of the situations in which shamanic techniques can be used. Shamanism and psychotherapy are a natural fit in industrialized society.