International Journal of Traditional Healing and Critical Mental Health

Beaver: Helping Others Find Joy and Good Health

Eugene Hightower — 2025-06-26

A Conversation with Clemmont E. Vontress: Thoughts on Integrating Traditional Healing and Western Psychology

Bryan R. Ellis — 2025-06-26

Editorial

David P. Smith — 2025-06-26

Integrating Traditional Religio-Cultural healing into Counselling and Psychotherapy with Punjabi Sikh Clients in North America

Robinder P. Bedi — 2025-06-26

Because available counselling and psychotherapy services in India and abroad are predominantly based on Western approaches with little to no incorporation of Eastern philosophies, Indian cultural customs, and religious traditions, counselling and psychotherapy are not usually seen as a culturally consistent option for many Punjabi Sikhs, especially those born in India. What is most needed to increase fit and effectiveness is cultural and religious adaptation - a more flexible approach that allows for the integration of Sikh and Punjabi healing understandings and resources into counselling and psychotherapy. Without critical appreciation of religio-cultural influences, mental health professionals risk imposing cultural influences, mental health professionals risk imposing Eurocentric principles to circumstances in which they are not appropriate, which can result in making culturally disrespectful demands and countering traditional systems for healing. In addition, to neglect these indigenous assets that emerge out of Punjabi and Sikh thought is to overlook important and time-tested healing resources. This article seeks to provide mental health professionals with a collection of theoretical models and tangible strategies and interventions proposed to be more congruent to the traditional Punjabi Sikh worldview. It will be useful for mental health professional with limited experience with Punjabi Sikhs, clinical supervisors, overseeing traineers providing mental health services to Punjabi Sikhs, instructors teaching cross/multi-cultural counselling/psychotherapy classes, and those wishing to develop theories or models for providing counselling and psychotherapy services to this population.

Conceptualizing "Demonic Possession" Today: Jettisoning Traditional Christian Interpretations

Jerome Wilczynski — 2025-06-26

The author evaluates the traditional Christian understanding of "demonic possession," which necessitates an exploration of the "paranormal" phenomena that reportedly occur with the condition. After explaining how the symptoms of "possession" can be accounted for, the author shows the DSM-5 nomenclature provides appropriate diagnostic categories for this dissociative and/or conversion condition, and that the psychological literature allows one to conceptualize “demonic possession" in a meaningful way. The author then reveals a way to bring together a modern religious and psychological understanding of "demonic possession" that jettisons traditional Christian interpretations, as well as offers concluding commentary on the findings.