An anthropological analysis of peper harow therapeutic community with particular reference to the use of myth, ritual and symbol

Abstract

This thesis describes and analyses the treatment world created and sustained by a therapeutic community for emotionally disturbed adolescents. The thesis intends to demonstrate that healing at Peper Harow therapeutic community is a ritual process that contains and frames symbols. The construction of this treatment world of symbols, derived from the wider culture, is analysed in terras of anthropological concepts of myth, ritual and symbol. The thesis concludes that the treatment world is also constituted through the imputation of therapeutic meaning into the social and physical structure of the community by the Director and analyses this process of assertion as an example of charismatic leadership.