Skip to content

Shamanic Healing for Veterans with PTSD: A Case Series.

Helané Wahbeh, Lauri Shainsky, Angela D. Weaver, Jan Engels-Smith

Explore 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2017.02.003 (opens in new tab)

Read Full Text
Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case series Qualitative Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 6
Population Veterans with PTSD
Intervention Shamanic healing
Topics Shamanism PTSD
Keywords Combat Posttraumatic stress disorder Shamanic healing Spirituality Veterans
Citations 13
Key findings 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.

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on shamanism, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Brain changes during a shamanic trance: Altered modes of consciousness, hemispheric laterality, and systemic psychobiology A normal subject with extensive training in the Mongolian shamanic tradition 2017 Case study n = 1
The Diaspora of Brazilian Religions 2013 Ethnographic case studies
Transformation in Dang-ki Healing: The Embodied Self and Perceived Legitimacy. A male dang-ki, 10 temple assistants, and 9 clients at a shrine in Singapore 2016 Case study n = 20
(Neo)Shamanic Dialogues Members of a Guarani Indian village on the Atlantic coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil 2012 Case study
Kambô: A Shamanic Medicine - Personal Testimonies 2018 Case study

Citations in the library

Cited by 4

Cites 3

Related reading

Explore topics

Shamanism PTSD