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Yvette Adelcia Cabey, Psy.D., is a 2022 graduate of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, Santa Barbara

Dissertation Committee:

Brett Kia-Keating, Ed.D., Committee Chair
Fanny Brewster, Ph.D., Committee Member
Stephen Southern, Ed.D., Committee Member

Keywords

Montserrat, Herbal Treatments, Bush, Jumbie Dance, Jumbie Table, Mental Illness, Trance-Ritual, Traditional Methods, Qualitative Research, Ethnographic Study

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2022

Abstract

In Montserrat, traditional healing medicines consist of herbal treatments and customary therapeutic methods such as ritual practices and herbal teas also known as “Bush and Weed” (Duberry, 1973, p.1). The purpose of this study is to discuss herbs known as “Bush,” in Montserrat, and how they benefit psychological wellbeing among the communities in Montserrat. A subsequent intention of this study is to address how an understanding of Montserratian Traditional Healing remedies can be beneficial to Western Psychological practice and enhance the efficacy for psychological healing. The gap in the literature indicates that few studies are examining mental health methods in Montserrat, and that further exploration is necessary. This dissertation has contributed to this small but growing body of information, although more research may be needed. In order to analyze this effect, this study uses an ethnographic qualitative methodology. Eight Montserratian participants who were familiar with traditional healing treatments were interviewed and the data was transcribed and coded utilizing MAXQDA. Three major themes emerged from the data, Herbal/Bush Treatments, Jumbie Dance and Mental Illness, which focused on the use of traditional healing remedies. Traditional treatments in Montserrat are indigenous remedies that are utilized mostly by Montserratians for daily use, as well as for the treatment of mental and physical wellbeing. The study concludes with discussions which recommend a need to continue focusing on passing down generational knowledge of Traditional Healing methods and having a more localized understanding of mental health in Montserrat. This includes an analysis of responsibly integrating Montserratian healing methods into Western psychology. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA, https://aura.antioch.edu/ and OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu

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ORCID Scholar ID #: 0000-0001-9152-3592

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