Southern Psychotherapies
Most, if not all schools and forms of psychotherapy are based in and/or trace their heritage to European/Western and Northern intellectual traditions. Inspired by the work of Raewyn Connell on Southern Theory (Crows Nest, NSW, 2008), this paper dreams and explores the possibilities of Southern psychotherapy or, more accurately, the plural (and pluralistic) Southern psychotherapies.
Connell has argued that “Since the ground is different, the form of theorising is often different too.” This paper takes up the challenge of re-theorising psychotherapy on different ground: ground and theory which acknowledges indigenous wisdom traditions and perspectives, as well as critical perspectives within the Western and Northern intellectual tradition including analyses of alienation, colonialism, and the periphery. The paper firstly examines different approaches to this dream/exploration; secondly argues that certain philosophies, traditions (specifically organismic, humanistic and eco psychologies), concepts (e.g. holism), and modalities are more suited to this project than others, although all have something to learn from this challenge and critique; and, finally, explores the implications of southern psychotherapies for current debates about the nature, organisation, and professionalization of psychotherapy, and for the education, training, supervision and continuing professional development of psychotherapists.
