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Psychotherapy and Culture: Weaving Inner and Outer Worlds

Author(s) : Zack Eleftheriadou

Reviews and Endorsements

With contributions from Beverley Costa, Edina Dzeko and Aileen Alleyne

'This book emphasises that all healing is cultural, in its own particular social and political context, rooted in particular notions of the person, of healing, of the family and other individuals, and in language and symbolisations. In the midst of all this, some sense of self emerges - and this of course is the particular concern of psychotherapy. The emphasis here is less on "the" correct approach (which can be a disabling conceit) as on our thinking about whatever happens, or doesn't happen, in therapy - and then taking that into account. Particularly useful is the idea of migration and subsequent acculturation as a psychological journey for which the second and third generations offer variants. The authors offer a perspective which moves us away from an idea of pathology or problem to one that presents the minority experience as potentially creative, both for the individuals so poignantly concerned and for the rest of us. Truly an exciting journey.'
- Roland Littlewood, Professor of Anthropology and Psychiatry, University College London, Department of Anthropology and Department of Mental Health Sciences

'Zack Eleftheriadou's book seeks to integrate our clinical praxis with its sociopolitical context. It resists the temptation to offer a neatly packaged theoretical model or manualized treatment guideline. Instead it painstakingly deconstructs the macro-notions of "culture" and "race" and demonstrates their subtlety and intricacy as well as their ubiquitous presence in the clinical chamber. Deftly weaving ideas from cultural anthropology, social constructivism, existentialism, and psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy and Culture helps the reader look afresh and with the startled sense of discovery at clinical interventions with minority, immigrant, exiled, and refugee patients. A profound contribution indeed!'
- Salman Akhtar, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Jefferson Medical College; Training and Supervising Analyst, Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia.

'I see the contents of [this] book and the information provided within the chapters as a golden opportunity to engage with a subject which a decade ago might not have been accepted in the open and honest way the authors' discourse has been discussed. In the past, the contents of this book would have posed major challenges within the traditional field of psychoanalysis and in the psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy world. The book covers a range of topics written from different perspectives. [It] is inclusive and topical within British society today, covering a range of views. Psychoanalysts/psychotherapists need to be aware of the issues of "race", culture and ethnicity and their impact in the transcultural/cross-cultural psychotherapeutic context. I see this book as a welcome opportunity to set the record straight and for the book to be part of a culturally appropriate practice in psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy - wherein the primary beneficiaries are the users of psychoanalytic psychotherapy.'
- Professor Zenobia Nadirshaw, BA (Hons), DSc, DLit, CPsychol, CSci and AFBPsS. Head of Psychology Services (the Learning Disability Services), Central London Community Healthcare