IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL POLICY (JHSP )

E-ISSN 2545-5729
P-ISSN 2695 2416
VOL. 11 NO. 4 2025
DOI: 10.56201/jhsp.vol.11.no4.2025.pg90.99

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Indigenous Psychotherapy; A Case Study of Agikuyu in the Central Region in Kenya

Michael Mbiriri, I

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Abstract

Indigenous psychotherapy integrates traditional healing practices with psychological well-being, offering culturally relevant therapeutic interventions. This study explores indigenous psychotherapy among the Agikuyu people of Central Kenya, focusing on traditional healing methods, belief systems, and their impact on mental health. Through qualitative research, including interviews with traditional healers, community elders, and individuals who have undergone indigenous therapy, the study examines the role of spirituality, rituals, and communal support in the healing process. Findings indicate that Agikuyu indigenous psychotherapy incorporates storytelling, herbal medicine, spiritual cleansing, and social reintegration as key therapeutic approaches. These practices address mental health issues such as grief, anxiety, and trauma in a culturally embedded manner, fostering resilience and communal harmony. The study highlights the relevance of indigenous psychotherapy in contemporary mental health care, advocating for the integration of traditional healing methods into modern psychological practices.

keywords:

Indigenous Psychotherapy, Agikuyu, Traditional Healing, Mental Health,

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