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Latina/o Healing Practices

Mestizo and Indigenous Perspectives

• Edited by Brian McNeill, Joseph Cervantes

• Price: $65.00
• Binding: Hardback
• Pages: 360
• Published by: Routledge
• Publication Date: 19th May 2008
• ISBN: 978-0-415-95420-4

About the Book

This edited volume focuses on the role of traditional or indigenous healers, as well as the application of traditional healing practices in contemporary counseling and therapeutic modalities with Latina/o peoples. The book offers a broad coverage of important topics, such as traditional healer’s views of mental/psychological health and well-being, the use of traditional healing techniques in contemporary psychotherapy, and herbal remedies in psychiatric practice. It also discusses common factors across traditional healing methods and contemporary psychotherapies, the importance of spirituality in counseling and everyday life, the application of indigenous healing practices with Latina/o undergraduates, indigenous techniques in working with perpetrators of domestic violence, and religious healing systems and biomedical models. The book is an important reference for anyone working within the general field of mental health practice and those seeking to understand culturally relevant practice with Latina/o populations.

Table of Contents

Contributors. Garcia-Teague, An Appreciation of Dr. Michael Smith (1960-2006). McNeill, Cervantes, Introduction – Counselors and Curandera/os: Parallels in the Healing Process. Part I: Mestizo and Indigenous Perspectives. Cervantes, What Is Indigenous About Being Indigenous: The Mestizo Experience. Ortiz, Davis, Latino/a Folk Saints and Marian Devotions: Popular Religiosity and Healing. McNeill, Esquivel, Carrasco, Mendoza, Santería and the Healing Process in Cuba and the United States. Part II: Indigenous and Mestizo Healing Practices. Smith, Ascani, Use of Psychotropic Herbal and Natural Medicines in Latino and Mestizo Populations. Nuñez, Brazil’s Ultimate Healing Resource: The Power of Spirit. Holliday, La Limpia de San Lazaro as Individual and Collective Cleansing Rite. Castellanos, Gloria, Rese un Ave María y ensendi una velita: The Use of Spirituality and Religion as a Means of Coping With Educational Experiences for Latina/o College Students. Part III: Contemporary Aspects of Mestizo and Indigenous Healing Practices: Reclamation and Integration. Medina, Los Espiritus Siguen Hablando: Chicana Spiritualities. Holliday, Religious Healing and Biomedicine in Comparative Context. Ortiz, Rice, McNeill, Curanderismo: Religious and Spiritual Worldviews and Indigenous Healing Traditions. Cervantes, McNeill, Epilogue: Summary and Future Research and Practice Agendas.

About the Author(s)

Brian McNeill, Ph.D., is a professor and director of training for the Counseling Psychology Program at Washington State University. He is the co-editor of The Handbook of Chicana and Chicano Psychology and Mental Health, and is a licensed Psychologist in the states of Washington and Idaho where he practices and consults.

Joseph M. Cervantes, Ph.D., ABPP, is a professor in the Department of Counseling at California State University, Fullerton, and maintains an independent practice in child, adolescent, and family psychology. He serves as the ethics chair for the Orange County Psychological Association, and is a board member for the Sexual Misconduct Oversight and Review Board, Diocese of Orange, Office of the Bishop.