Counseling and Psychotherapy in India: Radha's Story

Title

Counseling and Psychotherapy in India: Radha's Story

Creator

Pothan P.; George T.S.

Description

This chapter discusses the case of Radha, who presented with depression and infertility. The focus of counseling was to alleviate Radha's psychological distress, help her redefine her identity, and explore alternatives to infertility in the individual and marital context. The counselor's suggestion to use traditional healing practices, especially Pranayama, greatly helped the client, as she used these practices as for preventive coping. Handling the sensitive issue of infertility was challenging for the counselor, especially dealing with the ingrained cultural resistance to infertility and the client's value system that contributed to her own psychological state. Classical approaches to counseling and psychotherapy are indeed useful but require contextualization and an understanding of eclectic practice. Along with eclectic practice, integration of alternative systems of care, such as traditional healing practices, is seen as essential in the practice of counseling and psychotherapy in India. 2015 by the American Counseling Association. All rights reserved.

Source

International Counseling Case Studies Handbook, pp. 79-85.

Date

2015-01-01

Publisher

Wiley Blackwell

Subject

Ancient Indian healing practices; Counseling; Depression therapy; India; Infertility treatment; Pranayama; Preventive coping practices; Psychological distress; Psychotherapy

Coverage

Pothan P., National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India; George T.S., Department of Psychology, Christ University, Bangalore, India

Rights

Restricted Access

Relation

ISBN: 978-111922278-1; 978-155620335-0

Format

Online

Language

English

Type

Book chapter

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119222781.ch10

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