Divan couches and gurus: The origin and dangers of clinical pseudopsychology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.8.9977Keywords:
pseudoscience, psychology, psychoanalysis, New Age, psychotherapies
Abstract
Pseudoscience is alarmingly present in the context of clinical psychology and is also very dangerous. As a set of pseudoscientific ideas, clinical pseudopsychology has a peculiar characteristic: it has established an entire tradition parallel to psychology, with numerous branches and interrelated theoretical and practical developments. In this paper we will review that tradition, from pseudoscientific hypnosis to psychoanalysis, and from New Age to present-day neuropseudoscience. We will then review some of the dangers of pseudoscience related to mental disorders.
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Author Biography
Angelo Fasce, University of Valencia (Spain).
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