Ayahuasca in Western society and the metacognitive counselling approach
Counselling and Psychotherapy Research – March 02, 2023
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca, a powerful hallucinogenic plant used in South American healing rituals, risks misapplication in Western therapy without understanding its cultural context. An autoethnographic case study highlights that integrating micro- and macroperspectives can enhance therapeutic outcomes. While the metacognitive counselling approach may improve effectiveness for both clients and therapists, the need for broader data collection is essential; current insights stem from limited experiences. This raises awareness about the potential psychological impacts of ayahuasca and emphasizes careful, informed integration into Western psychotherapy practices.
Abstract
Abstract Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic plant used throughout South America for religious, cultural and healing ceremonies. Previous studies have analysed it as a therapy method from either the microperspective, such as physiological and psychological effects of substance use, or the macroperspective, such as legal issues or cultural appropriation of ayahuasca by Westerners. There is a need to combine those two aspects to fully understand the effects of ayahuasca for therapists and clients in Western communities. By utilising an autoethnographic instrumental case study, we discuss the possible risk of ayahuasca gaining popularity in Western societies without an understanding of how the social context plays a tremendous part in healing using this method. We also discuss the risk of intrapsychic experiences brought about by ayahuasca that may deter individuals from seeking appropriate treatment. It is not our intention to present ayahuasca as an illegitimate or invalid method of healing; rather, we emphasise the importance of integrating micro‐ and macroperspectives in psychotherapy practice. We suggest that the metacognitive counselling approach be taken by both clients and therapists when adopting indigenous methods of therapy which may add a significantly positive effect. Although we hope this study offers realistic and lived experiences to generate pragmatic solutions for therapists and clients, we recognise that it is necessary to collect data from a larger number of both clients and therapists to better support our suggestion of the metacognitive counselling approach.