Psykoterapi som kultursammenstød

Abstract

The following article describes the meeting of the western psychotherapist and the client with a non-western cultural background as a »cultural clash«. It is among other things a clash between the therapist and the clients views on »psychotherapy«, »illness« and »healing«. These opposite views are not necessarily explicit but express themselves on the subconscious level. The western psychotherapist must try to become aware of these differences, if the therapeutic proces is not to take place »behind his back« and beyond his control. The second half of the article tries to list some of the consequenses of this view on crosscultural
psychotherapy, and also some of the remedies. The general scope of this article is to show that not only the client, but also the therapist and the therapeutic proces must be influenced by this cultural clash, if it is to become a culturel meeting and nota cultural conflict.