Maori Elder-patient relationship as a therapeutic paradigm

This paper examines the dynamics of teh psychotherapeutic relationship between a Maori Elder and Maori psychiatric patients. The functioning of an Elder was examined over a period of 9 months in a psychiatric unit. A content analysis was performed on audiovisual records of 10 interviews conducted by the Elder on five psychiatric patients. The results of this analysis were used to construct a theoretical paradigm of the Elder-Patient Transaction and to contrast it with psychodynamic psychotherapy and pastoral counseling. Distinctive features of relationship, content of the sessions and the issues of dominance and dependence are discussed, and possible mechanisms of change are mentioned.