Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci. 1994 ; 31(3): 221-31.

Traditional psychotherapeutic healing and healers in the Palestinian community.

Gorkin M, Othman R.

Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.

The aim of this paper is to offer some general observations about traditional psychotherapeutic healing and healers in the Palestinian community. Ten healers, known as sheikhs or sheikhas, were interviewed, and their statements comprise the principal data on which this study is based. Observations are offered regarding (1) the background, training and some characteristics of the healers; (2) characteristics of the patients and illnesses treated; (3) therapeutic techniques and treatment rationale.