shamanic

The Shamanic View of Mental Health: A Holistic Approach

In November 2014, the peak psychology body in the UK, the British Psychological Association, released its new flagship report Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia. It was a watershed moment in the mainstream treatment of mental illness, containing statements such as
collective spiritual emergency

When Mental Illness Masks A Collective Spiritual Emergency

“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” ~Jiddu Krishnamurti Out of the Shadows: When Spiritual Emergency was a Mental Illness I recall driving with my parents past
slow psychiatry

Slow Psychiatry: A New Form of Integrative Practice

  Before Slow Psychiatry: Drug-centered and Needs-adapted Approaches A “drug-centered approach” acknowledges that we do not fully understand the causes of peoples’ troubles. We understand more about drug action although our knowledge is certainly incomplete
integrative mental health

Book Review: Our Woes are Not Signs of Mental Illness

Abolishing the Concept of Mental Illness: Rethinking the Nature of Our Woes by Richard Hallam, PhD Rethinking Woes In this timely publication (2018), Richard Hallam – a British clinical psychologist – questions the main tenets
Collaborative Mental Health Therapy

Collaborative and Indigenous Mental Health Therapy: A Book Review

Collaborative Mental Health Therapy: A Book Review This book explores a living collaboration between a traditional Mãori healer in New Zealand and a clinical psychiatrist. Mãori healer, Wiremu NiaNia outlines the key concepts that are
Ayahuasca

Is Ayahuasca a Shortcut to Spiritual Emergence?

Ayahuasca: Is It a Shortcut? Ayahuasca is a brew made from plants that grow in the rain forest.  It has been used in ceremony by indigenous peoples in Central and South America to expand consciousness
new courses

Personal News from Emma Bragdon + New Courses Available!

Dear Friends of IMHU, After just creating five new courses for IMHU.org, I will be taking a Sabbatical leave from IMHU starting December, 2019-beginning of May, 2020.  It has been about 7 years since I
spiritual psychology

Happy Thanksgiving

Spiritual Psychology of Indigenous Peoples This 7 min video gives voice to the wisdom of a Native American elder, Floyd Red Crow Westerman. He speaks to the changes going on now on our earth.  He
Drop the Disorder

Drop the Disorder! A Book Review

Book Review: Drop the Disorder! Challenging the Culture of Psychiatric Diagnosis. Editor: Jo Watson. Foreword: Paula J. Caplan. Published by: PCCS Books, Ltd, UK in September, 2019. The message of this book: Labeling people who
Using Integrative Mental Health

Effective Choices in Treating Depression Using Integrative Mental Health

Using Integrative Mental Health Integrative Mental Health weaves together the best of science and the best  of all therapies.  These therapies might include common sense (get enough sleep), nutritional advice, the tools of allopathic and