Shamanic Healing for Veterans with PTSD: A Case Series.
Helané Wahbeh, Lauri Shainsky, Angela Weaver, Jan Engels-Smith
Explore (New York, N.Y.) January 1, 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2017.02.003 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA structured shamanic healing protocol was developed and tested with six veterans (average age 49.3) who had posttraumatic stress disorder. The protocol included components such as power animal retrieval, soul retrieval, and forgiveness practices. The intervention was found feasible and acceptable, with no major adverse events reported. Preliminary data on PTSD symptoms, quality of life, and spiritual wellness were collected, but no efficacy conclusions can be drawn from this small case series. The authors suggest that future research is needed to evaluate whether shamanic healing can be an effective therapy for veterans with PTSD.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case series Qualitative Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 6 |
| Population | Veterans with PTSD |
| Intervention | Shamanic healing |
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Keywords | Combat Posttraumatic stress disorder Shamanic healing Spirituality |
| Citations | 13 |
| Key finding | A structured shamanic healing protocol for veterans with PTSD was feasible and acceptable, but efficacy could not be determined from this small case series. |
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious health concern. Current evidence-based treatments for PTSD are efficacious; however, they are not appropriate or tolerated by everyone who needs them. Alternative treatment approaches are needed. Shamanic healing is one such therapy that may potentially be beneficial but no systematic research has been conducted on it for PTSD. The objectives of the case series are to (1) develop a structured replicable shamanic treatment plan for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); (2) collect preliminary data on PTSD-related outcomes, and (3) explore the feasibility and potential for adverse events of the plan. Case series. Clinical. Veterans with PTSD. Shamanic healing. PTSD symptoms, quality of life, and piritual wellness. A semi-structured shamanic healing protocol was created with the following components: rapport building, power animal retrieval, extraction, compassionate spirit release, curse unraveling, soul retrieval, forgiveness/cord-cutting, aspect maturing/soul rematrixing, and divination. Six veterans enrolled in the study (mean age = 49.3 ± 13.1). Qualitative descriptions of the participants, their histories, and effects from the intervention are reported. Preliminary data was collected on PTSD-related outcomes. The protocol was found feasible and acceptable and recommendations for its future use are suggested. Future research is warranted and needed to evaluate the efficacy of shamanic healing as a potential therapy for veterans with PTSD.