Two Asian Psychologies and Their Implications for Western Psychotherapists

In the past, mainstream Western mental health professionals tended to ignore or dismiss Asian psychologies. However, in recent years they have attracted increasing attention and growing evidence suggests that we may have underestimated their potential contributions. This paper provides an introduction to two classical Asian psychologies and certain of their key concepts about human nature, pathology, and potential and psychotherapeutic techniques. Relevant Western research and theory are reviewed, and the implications of these Asian psychologies for, and areas of possible interface with, Western psychology, psychotherapy, and science are examined.