Affect, Alienation, and Politics in Therapeutic Culture: Capitalism on the Skin

Therapeutic Culture by Suvi Salmenniemi examines the complexities of therapeutic practices in contemporary society, arguing that they are more than merely individualizing or depoliticizing forces. Drawing on extensive ethnographic research, the book explores how therapeutic engagements reflect and confront the contradictions of capitalism. It highlights the ambivalent and multifaceted nature of therapeutic culture, showing how it can simultaneously support diverse political projects, foster social critique, and inspire alternative forms of collective action and subjectivity.

Key Features

• Presents an ethnographically grounded analysis of therapeutic culture in contemporary society
• Challenges interpretations that frame therapeutic practices as solely depoliticizing or neoliberal
• Explores how therapeutic engagements can enable social critique and collective action
• Investigates the contradictions and ambivalences inherent in therapeutic practices
• Bridges sociology, anthropology, critical psychology, cultural studies, gender studies, and social theory
• Offers insights for researchers, students, and practitioners interested in the societal and political dimensions of therapy

Product Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Palgrave Macmillan; 1st ed. 2022 edition (August 14, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 3031105745
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-3031105746