American Journalof Occupational Therapy Percept Sk... Shamans are often compared to psychologists, searching the unconsciousfor hidden sources of suffering and lost fragments of self. The psychiatristis often called upon to deal with psychological problems that createmedical emergencies. Interventions along spectrum from shamanismto interpretation of unconscious conflict spell the difference betweencomfort and distress, illness and cure, and even occasionally life anddeath....