What is Therapeutic Anthropology?

In 1977, anthropology (the science and study of humanity) professor Ailon Shiloh in his contribution "Therapeutic Anthropology: The Anthropologist as Private Practitioner“ called for a new health profession by that name, because many of the mental health problems that plague individuals are culturally derived. Specifically, Prof. Shiloh outlined some problems of American culture meriting therapeutic anthropological attention, arguing that therapeutic anthropology can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Instead of pathologizing individuals or even just focusing on strengthening individual resilience, Prof. Shiloh suggested that it is imperative to diagnose the real patient - which might not be the person suffering symptoms, but the culture that is "sick“. This reframing then allows to focus therapeutic processes on equipping the individual with tools and resources to better navigate her/his cultural problems.

In 2020, Prof. Kristen Syme highlighted the fact that despite expansion in treatment, prevalences of most mental health conditions have actually increased. This indicates that what we are dealing with are not actually mental disorders but adaptive responses to adversity that therefore call for social and cultural solutions. To hear and receive support in working with and around these cultural social issues, rather than just focusing on individual resilience and coping, calling a spade a spade, can in itself provide great relief. Because you know it is not you, and someone is there to hear you and to accompany you on your journey to recovery from the root.

The “Therapeutic Anthropologist” has been described as someone who achieves a relieving or harmonizing effect through the analysis and mediation of context. The term designates anthropologists who do not practice clinical therapy but help clients by analyzing the cultural causes of their conditions. Applied to autoimmunity and complex trauma, this translates to me helping you understand the cultural 'stress scripts' that put your immune system under pressure. Insight is the first step toward relief.

While the psychological perspective is trained to perceive phenomena through specific theory-driven models, anthropological practice maintains a distance from such frameworks. It does not always strive for a fixed goal; instead, the focus is on shifting perspectives and in-depth reflection. Anthropological discussions offer you the space to question the fundamental conditions of your life from new viewpoints. I hope that my work can also inspire other anthropologists to move beyond purely academic contexts. The times we are living in demand a decisive remaking of hegemonic worldviews—all of which are Western. Although indigenous peoples must be given precedence, I believe that anthropologists have a vital role to play. By critically assessing their own cultures and supporting individuals and communities who suffer within and because of them, they can help people reorient themselves toward saner, more sustainable ways of being and relating to the world. If we want to save humanity from the extinction driven by Western culture—and the declared object of study for anthropologists is humanity in all its variety—then anthropologists must support this vital change.

Since I am an anthropologist and have applied this approach successfully in my own recovery, I took up this call for a therapeutic anthropology.