becoming a shamanic therapist
Where Shamanism, Counselling and Psychotherapy Meet
As well as knowing about shamanism, a shamanic therapist is also well versed in psychotherapy. Although the two are not the same thing, there are undeniably areas where they overlap. In exploring both the differences and the similarities, at the Three Ravens College, we believe that both have much they can learn from each other. Indeed, it is our experience that in being open to this and willing to explore, what emerges is a new practice that holds the key to many of the problems we face in these modern times.
This is why our courses, and the books, are about Therapeutic Shamanism. Although the counselling and psychotherapeutic side of the work does run through the First-Step, Next-Steps and Further-Steps courses, the emphasis on those courses is primarily on the shamanic side of the work. The Shamanic Psychotherapy courses focus more on the psychotherapy side of the work though, and on exploring the interface between shamanism, animism, spirituality, counselling, psychotherapy and animism.
The courses are not offered as a professional training. Instead, they can be taken by anyone with an interest in this aspect of the work for their own personal development, or for anyone (including counsellors and psychotherapists) who wishes to explore integrating aspects of shamanic psychotherapy into their other work.
The Approach
The Psychotherapeutic Shamanism approach taught at the college is an integrative approach. In terms of psychotherapy, it is primarily humanistic but does draw on psychodynamic approaches too (especially both Jungian and neo-Reichian approaches). Its bedrock is person-centred (Rogerian), in terms of the power-dynamic and relationship it seeks to establish between the shamanic therapist and the client.
It is a part-of-self approach and has many parallels with therapies like IFS (Internal Family Systems), Voice Dialogue and other sub-personalities approaches, and therapies that look at families and other organisations such as Family Constellation work.
It is highly process-orientated, and body-centred too. Although integrative and drawing on many influences, it is a highly cohesive approach that can provide a comprehensive and effective meta-model of other approaches.
In addition to its more traditional psychotherapeutic influences, it extends beyond the human and so has things in common with more nature-based approaches such as eco-psychology and eco-psychotherapy. Obviously, it goes further, as shamanic therapists also draw heavily on shamanic and animist thinking.
Essential Entry Requirements
These are advanced courses and are based on students already having a good grounding in Therapeutic Shamanism. As such, applicants must have already completed a number of our other online shamanism courses (the First, Next and Further Steps courses).
The Courses
The courses for shamanic therapists are currently on hold as we work on making all other courses available online. Our plan is to begin offering them again at some point though. Details will follow. If you wish to be kept informed, then please do sign up for the newsletter (you can do this at the bottom of this page).
Learn More about Therapeutic Shamanism
Courses
Learn about “Therapeutic Shamanism” through our experiential courses. Browse our course overview and start learning now.
Books
Read the best selling “Therapeutic Shamanism” Series of books. Suitable for both complete beginners and experienced practitioners alike, the books are an apprenticeship for modern times