Psychopathology, Psychotherapy and Faith-healing from Igbo African Point of View
The researcher visited 6 ‘Dibias: With use of different questionnaires and interviews (generally semi-structured), this study tried to achieve its aims. This study discovered that ‘psychotherapy’ had been existing in lgbo cultural traditions. The most popular technique used had been the ‘umunna’-centered; where the client depending on the degree of the psychopathology, is separated from the ‘umunna'(loosely translated to mean clan), but is still being taken care of by the umunna; with the general good of the umunna utmost in the mind of the dibia. It discovered that umunna-centered psychotherapy achieves the psychological aims of psychotherapy.
It also discovered that despite the deep rooted lgbo concept of ‘ogwonnuoya; the ‘gift’ of psychotherapeuticism is not given to alllgbo dibias. Non-referral behavior was discovered. Of all psychotherapeutic techniques, this study discovered that umunna-centered has the most psychological and social concern and support for the client, and this concern generally leads to high restoration of eudemonia both of the client and his/her umunna. Umunna-centered technique agrees with the general idea of Gestalt psychology and the macro moral categorisation in ethics. This study recommends Umunna-centered technique to all psychotherapists. Though very simple and unique, Umunna-centered psychotherapy provides a wide coverage of what many other psychotherapeutic techniques find difficult to achieve; though specific, it covers a wide range of psychotherapeuticism.
