MPS: 431 F Asian Healing Practises and Psychotherapy
Department of Psychology, Christ University, Bangalore
IV Semester M Sc. Psychology
Course Plan: November 2010 - March 2011
Name of the teacher: Tissy Mariam Thomas
Paper: MPS: 431 F Asian Healing Practises and Psychotherapy
Total no. of hours: 30 hrs
Max. marks: 90
Objectives
- An awareness about the philosophical and logical foundations of health and illness conceptualized by Asian healing methods in relation to Western medicine.
- Critical understanding of holistic approach to health and healing based on the possibilities and availability of alternate methods of healing mainly of Eastern origin.
- Develop understanding of the nature and significance of health psychology and highlight the importance of social and psychological perspectives of health and science.
- Focus on indigenous and culturally accepted/ practiced therapeutic methods and its close relation to the theoretical positions of Psychology.
- Rethinking the behavioral factors, disease prevention and health promotion in the context of holistic philosophy of health.
Syllabus
| Unit | Contents | Lecture Hrs (tentative) | Expected dates of completion |
| 1 | Introduction to Asian Healing Practises Science and scientific reasoning in healing Origin and relevance of CAM. Concepts, Causes, Classification, Diagnosis and Treatment of Health & Illness in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Unani & Siddha and Reiki & Acupuncture Indigenous methods of healing – Shamanism, Religious based and Ritual art form based healing methods. | 10Hrs | 11th December 2010 |
| II | Nature of Mental Illness- Debates on Psychiatry Philosophical foundations Problematising the notion of mental illness Various conceptions of mental illness Anti-psychiatry movement | 10Hrs | 5th February 2011 |
| III | Asian Healing Practises and Psychotherapy Philosophy for counselling and psychotherapy Issues of integration Implications to Health Psychology Psychotherapy and medical treatment. | 10Hrs | 12th March 2011 |
Evaluation (Continuous Internal Assessment)
| CIAs | Topics | Date | Marks |
| CIA-I | Group presentation of critical paper | 28th Nov. 2010 | 35 |
| CIA-II | Field visits | 16th & 30th January 2011 | 30 |
| CIA-III | Case presentation | 13th & 20th February 2011 | 25 |
Guidelines:
- CIA-I:
Writing up and presentation of a critical paper explaining the conceptual schemes of health- illness in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Unani & Siddha and Reiki & Acupuncture - CIA- II:
Field visits to certain healing centres and submission of a reflection paper on it. - CIA-III:
Two cases of physical/ mental illness who have undergone various healing methods would be analysed and presented related to its theoretical context.
Criteria for evaluation:
- Understanding of relevant concepts
- Ability to analyze and communicate his/ her understanding.
- Content- about the topic, research studies related to the topic & applications
- Clarity in connecting various healing methods to its philosophy
- Ability to integrate them in psychotherapy and counselling
References
Backman, M.E. The psychology of the physically ill patient: a clinician’s guide. Plenum Press.
Cooper, R. (2007). Psychiatry and philosophy of science. Stocksfield: Acumen.
Furnham, A.(2005). Complementary and alternative medicine: shopping for health in post-modern times. In P. White. (Ed.). Biopsychosocial medicine: an integrated approach to understanding illness. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Howard, A. (2000). Philosophy for counselling and psychotherapy. Palgrave.
Inglis, B.& West, R. (1983). The alternative health guide. London: Dorling Kindersely Ltd.
Sanderson, C.A. (2004). Health psychology. NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
White, P. (Ed.). (2005). Biopsychosocial medicine: an integrated approach to understanding illness. Oxford: Oxford University Press.