The healing of mental disorders is lost in the mists of time. In ancient times, medical, philosophical and religious schools—both in the West and the East—relied on highly sophisticated technical practices and mental training. Modern psychotherapy developed slowly over the course of the nineteenth century, giving rise to various methods aimed at understanding the origins of psychic or psychosomatic problems and of unrecognized unconscious conflicts, in order to achieve healing and the natural development of the personality.

The psychotherapeutic relationship makes use of language as a means of communicating emotions, thoughts and an individual’s personal history, and it is important for the psychotherapist to be familiar with the cultural background of the person seeking consultation.