Nonshamanic Native American Healing

This article focuses on making clearer distinctions between nonshamanic and shamanic indigenous healing practices. Not all indigenous healing is shamanic in nature. Shamanic healing relies on the powers of the shaman to heal/cure/take away the illness, and many rely on the use of consciousness-altering substances. In contrast, nonshamanic indigenous approaches, such as the Navajo, are much more psychodynamically based and offer wisdom and techniques that can be more directly adapted and applied by Western practitioners. The author employs his theory of borderland consciousness as a bridge between depth psychology and Navajo healing. The latter is most reflective of Jungian clinical theory and techniques and therein offers a depth of wisdom and a psychological perspective that can be of significant clinical import. Clinical examples from the author's practice are offered.     

The Path of Good Medicine: Understanding and Counseling Native American Indians

This article presents a brief overview of Native American cultural values, beliefs, and practices concerning the tribe, elders, family, and spirituality. Native American Indian communication style, humor, and cultural commitment are briefly discussed and recommendations are given for counseling with Native American Indians.     

Native American Spirituality

ABSTRACT

Followers of the New Age movement and others have been exploiting and commercializing “Native American” spirituality. This exploitation is being fought by many Native people. Native American spirituality may be studied and appreciated, but use of Native American religious forms outside of Native American communities is considered misappropriation and cultural theft. Native spiritualities address the needs of present-day Native communities. A Native spirituality that ignores that need is no longer a religion of and for the community. Disconnected from a Native community, religious beliefs, ceremonies, and religious art forms lose their primary significance.     

Work Attitudes of American Indians

Analysis of 22 samples representative of the labor force of the continental United States shows few differences in 13 work attitudes between American Indians ( n = 732) and European Americans ( n = 12,810). American Indians were more insecure in their jobs and were less satisfied with their financial situation. They were more likely to prefer a job that offers a high income and chances for promotion. As their increasing earnings reach parity and the effects of discrimination and prejudice lessen, these few differences should diminish.     

Art Therapy as a Healing Tool for Sub-fertile Women

Although fertility is fundamental to spiritual health, it is often taken for granted. When a desired pregnancy fails to occur, stress and grief frequently follow. Visual expression of feelings through “art therapy” has proved a powerful healing tool for women brave enough to give it a try at the McMaster University Fertility Clinic. The objective and subjective findings of this ongoing project suggest that through simple visual self-expression, stress, anxiety and hopelessness may be reduced. This form of art therapy also provides a joyful social experience of sharing with other women, who are dealing with these issues.     

University Student Attitudes Toward American Indians

This study measured racial attitudes of 201 students toward American Indians in a variety of social-interpersonal and educational situations. Student's racial attitudes were generally positive except in a situation involving an American Indian student receiving free health care. Results are discussed in the context of the current sociopolitical climate.     

Understanding Native American healing practices

Counselor cultural competency with respect to Native Americans requires understanding of common healing practices and ceremonies and of their spiritual significance. Historical trauma serves as a general backdrop for Native America experience and identity. Particular tribal practices and the individual's degree of affiliation with such practices provide a more specific context for client worldview. Knowledge of the symbolic significance of common ceremonies and healing practices will support counseling efforts to be relevant and effective with respect to Native American clients. Direct interaction and involvement with Native American communities facilitate a deeper understanding of Native American cultural identity and healing practices.     

Synergetic Counseling and Native American Indian Students

Traditional school counseling efforts have often failed to meet the needs of Native American Indian students. Because many Native American Indian students have spiritual as well as secular concerns, school counselors must become more emphatic and competent in serving these students. This article argues that synergetic counseling efforts with Native American Indian students increase counseling effectiveness. A vignette and suggestions are offered toward that end.     

Art Speaks in Healing Survivors of War

Abstract

Mental health clinics can use creative art therapies as a means of reaching out to war refugees in their communities who may not respond to traditional talk therapy. In this case, the use of quilting and other artwork was utilized by the staff at Chicago Health Outreach to assist displaced Bosnians to cope with their war-related trauma and integration into their new environment in the United States. It can be difficult to reach refugee populations within a community whose culture and language are different from the majority, but finding other means of communicating can make a real difference for these individuals as they find safety and understanding by working on and sharing special creative projects.     

Valuing Spirituality Among Native American Populations

Many non-Indian professionals who believe they are using traditional Native American spiritual healing are under a mistaken, even dangerous, impression. They are led to believe that attendance in shamanistic ritual authorizes them to imitate what they have witnessed in their own therapeutic practice. This article introduces some of the tests of body, mind, and spirit that an Indian traditional seeker of spirit power must endure and the context in which these exercises are experienced. Spiritually focused people may relate and communicate on a noncognitive level, allowing for spiritual healing without counselors being invasive and risking disrespectfulness. The article refers to some aspects of cross-cultural counseling that may be helpful as well as culturally and spiritually congruent.     

The Concerns of Native American Youth

This study was designed to examine the normal developmental worries of a group of Lakota children and youth. Using a within-group design, the researcher examined whether there were gender-related differences in the types of worries reported by this group of American Indian students.     

Implementation of a Culture-Specific Intervention for a Native American Community

Psychiatric services provided to Native Americans should be culturally relevant and integrated with the values and beliefs of the culture since Native Americans use Western health care as a last resort. Reduced utilization of services may be the result of cultural beliefs that sickness or illness comes from disharmony with oneself, one's community, and nature. Treatment entails resolving the disharmony and restoring a state of balance and integration. Western psychiatric services have not usually provided active psychiatric treatment, while simultaneously encouraging participation in native ceremonies and traditions of healing. For 3 years, the Wyoming State Hospital has offered Sweat Lodge ceremonies administered by the Wind River Reservation as part of a pattern of working together to improve the care of Native Americans admitted to the facility. Results indicate increased utilization of hospital services as well as increased patient and tribal satisfaction, improved health care outcomes, and reduced length of stay. This report argues that culturally specific and sensitive treatment interventions provide a concrete and specific benefit to the population which is targeted.     

Counseling Native Americans: An introduction for Non-Native American Counselors

This article provides a primer on counseling Native American clients for non-Native American counselors and psychotherapists. The diversity of this population is described and a general model of healing from a traditional Native American perspective is presented, with implications for counseling practice. Relevant research is reviewed and practical suggestions are offered for providing counseling services to Native Americans.     

Cross-Cultural Counseling and Neurolinguistic Mirroring With Native American Adolescents

This study examined the effects of neurolinguistic mirroring versus nonmirroring of selected nonverbal behaviors on empathy, trustworthiness, and positive interaction in a cross-cultural setting among 60 Choctaw adolecents and Caucasian female counselors. Results indicated significant mirroring effects on the empathy scale of the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory.