Acknowledging the whole and the spaces in-between: uncovering mental colonialism through integrative holistic psychotherapy in Kuwait

Abstract

Psychotherapy has long been criticized for its lack of inclusivity, particularly among minority and marginalized populations, due to its reductionist biomedical methodologies and limited engagement with holistic approaches (Ali-Faisal, 2020; Barona & Santos Barona, 2003). This study explores the experiences of Kuwaiti healthcare practitioners with psychotherapeutic models examining how integrative, holistic practices can enhance inclusivity in therapeutic settings. Grounded in Participatory Action Research (PAR), six Kuwaiti practitioners, three psychotherapists and three yoga therapists, engaged in three iterative workshops that explored the holistic practices of breathwork, meditation, and bodywork, which are pertinent to Yoga Integrative Therapy (YIT).

The collaborative workshops revealed significant tensions in participants' previous experiences with the psychotherapeutic paradigm, including its dominant construction of psychological normality and standardized approaches to care. Conversely, holistic practices, integrated through a person-centered, client-driven lens, were found to help develop an inclusive environment, underscoring the potential of integrative approaches to meet diverse needs. The research also uncovered a “silent narrative” that marked the persistent yet unspoken presence of colonialism, driven by epistemic injustice and mental colonization. Through PAR's responsive and fluid framework, the research acknowledged these silences as a form of epistemic presence, rather than absence.

The study offers several recommendations for future research, asserting the importance of initiating more inquiries which will integrate decolonial and holistic approaches within psychotherapy with different demographics and contexts; expanding the current conceptualizations surrounding inclusiveness to include more nuanced definitions, perhaps exploring the notions of person-centeredness, client-drivenness, and holistic care; offering recommendations for practice and policy; and exploring the silent narrative of colonialism in relation to inclusive care.