Paper short abstract:

The objective of the paper is to focus on the role of neo-shamanic practices as a non-somatic therapy. We observed that inherently lengthy institutional psychotherapies are being replaced by a multitude of fragmented practices that may fulfill the duration of the conventional therapies.

Paper long abstract:

Healing might be regarded as one of the most relevant keywords capable of federating contemporary spiritualities in western societies.

The objective of the paper is to focus on the role of neo-shamanism spreading all over Europe through seminars and festivals as a non-somatic therapy. We observed that inherently lengthy institutional psychotherapies are being replaced by a multitude of fragmented practices that may fulfill the duration of the conventional therapies. The patient-practitioner, by the medium of concentration and visualization techniques, is invited by the neo-shaman to explore his/her inner-self and to heal it through the many figures populating the shamanic pantheon.

Distinctive elements of the neo-shamanic practices emerge: the patients follow different shamans in order to solve their psychological, emotional or existential problems and during the seminars the patients do not declare the reason for which they take part into the healing rituals.

By considering neo-shamanic practices as a kind of short and impromptu psychological therapies we can observe that they differ from classical ones under many aspects. The main differences that we have observed are: no specific bonds to any particular therapist, short and condensed sessions, no transfer or counter-transfer with the therapist, always changing settings, little or no time for the members of the group to introduce themselves or to explain the reasons of the participation, and finally, guarantee of the anonymity of patients.

Can we include these elements among the reasons when psychotherapy goes awry?