What's New on IJHC (June 2011)

Table of Contents 11-2

Editorial Musings

Research

Living with Life Challenges

Variations on the Theme of Healing

Spiritist Psychiatric Hospitals in Brazil
Emma Bragdon, PhD

This article describes the origin and workings of Spiritist Psychiatric Hospitals in Brazil. Spiritist healing practices include: laying-on of hands, prayer, blessed water, fraternal assistance, consultation with medical intuitives and ‘disobsession.' Treatments appear to be effective for healing. They are typically accomplished by trained volunteers donating their time as part of their own spiritual growth, which makes them cost-effective, as well. The hospitals report many successes with their integral approach, and offer a substantial model of integral mental health care. Hospital administrators bring together the best of conventional psychiatric care with Spiritist protocols that are ecumenical and can be applied to patients of all religious and cultural backgrounds. Although some of the hospitals originated in the 1930s, little standard research on outcomes has been done outside of anecdotal reports. More research on the efficacy of the healing practices, philosophy and education offered at these hospitals is called for.

Wholistic Approaches

Book Reviews