treatment tip for working with native american clients incorporating culture

8/2/2019 Treatment Tip for Working With Native American Clients Incorporating Culture

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Treatment Tips for Working with Native

American Clients

How to Incorporate Native American Culture

into Your Practice

BY Kim Scott, M.A., M.F.T.

Managing Partner

Practical CE Seminars

In Consultation With Ben Hale, of Navajo Descent

Throughout the world, indigenous people combine chanting, breathing, drumming,

rhythmic dancing, fasting, social and sensory isolation, and even specific forms of

physical pain to induce altered states (Mehl-Madrona, 66).

These altered states play a significant part in Native American healing. Western societys

discounting of the importance of these alter states have contributed to the chasm between

Western medicine and Native healing. Abraham Maslow, understood the importance of these

altered states, or as he called them, peak-experiences when in 1964 in his bookReligions,

Values, and Peak-Experiences he explained that when individuals have peak-experiences they

tend to become less selfish, more self-confident, more humble, and more capable of awe, more

reverent, less fearful, and more accepting (Mehl-Madrona, 67).

Integrating Native American practices into the therapeutic process can enhance the therapeutic

process and outcome. In fact, research has shown that when traditional ways used in conjunction

with Western treatment, the odds of successful treatment increase (Witko, 14). However, it is

crucial when a Western therapist is incorporating Native traditions into their treatment that they

do not go beyond their scope of their experience and practice. Often, giving a referral to a healer

or a group led by a tribal medicine man can be a useful adjunct to therapy (a resource list is

provided in the 6 CE credit course entitledReawaken Native Roots).

Understanding Cues

Each culture also has different verbal and non-verbal ways to communicate respect,

understanding, and concern. For instance, in some cultures a touch might show support,

empathy and caring, while in other cultures this would be an intrusion on ones personal space.
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Understanding and respecting the communication style of the Native American client will assist

the therapist in building a therapeutic alliance and the necessary therapeutic trust. Vacc,

DeVaney, and Brendel (44-46) discuss this process in depth in Counseling Multicultural and

Diverse Populations.

Use Symbols

Native Americans are particularly aware of their environment and place a high value on

symbolism, so it is important for the therapist to pay attention to the appearance of their

office. The therapists office should be inviting and warm, and of course private.

Including spiritual artifacts that are meaningful to the therapist, incorporating symbols of

nature such as crystals, plants, feathers, or nature displays into the office can make the

Native client feel more at home. These are also ways to create a sacred space within your

office. Milton Erickson was very conscious of this in his own practice and created a

sacred space beginning in his waiting room. He filled both his waiting room and hisoffice with magical symbols (Thomason, 355).

Show Respect

It is also important to take care with the seating arrangement in your office. For instance,

it is a sign of respect to haveall people in a room seated at the same level. Your chair

should be equal to the chair you offer your Native client. The therapist should not sit too

close to the Native client, and should instead respect the clients personal space.

Be Aware of Personal Space

Avoid Direct Eye Contact: Some Native tribes view direct eye contactas an invasion of

ones personal space.

Avoid a Firm Handshake: When greeting a Native client either a gentle handshake or a

kind hello and a nod of the head are appropriate. Some tribes view a firm handshake as

an aggressive move.

Show Hospitality

Hospitality is highly valued in Native cultures and not being hospitable is considered

shameful by some tribes. By offering you client something to drink when he or she

enters your office, you are displaying your respect and hospitality.

Use Active Listening Skills


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For Native Americans silence is not avoided in the same way that it is in the Western

culture. In fact, silence is often employed when a Native American enters a new

situation. It is a way for the individual to take in his or her surroundings and acclimate to

the new environment. Again, it can be seen as impolite if the therapist attempts to fill

each silence with words and activity. The Native American client may also take more

time to reflect prior to speaking and if the therapist interrupts, it is seen as disrespectful.

The therapist can show the most respect for the client by using active listening skills.

The therapists goal should be to establish a partnership with the Native American client (Witko,

26). This can be facilitated by using some self-disclosure, by offering referrals to needed

services, and by providing education on the process of therapy.

In addition to the material covered here, reading novels, short stories, and biographies written by

Native authors can help you expand your understanding of the culture. Attending a powwow orother cultural event, or visiting a reservation is also useful.

If you have enjoyed this article and would like to learn more about working with NativeAmerican Clients, we have a 6 CE Credit call entitled:Reawaken Native Roots

To receive 20% off one of our online courses use discount code: S8RK

Work Cited

Brendel, Johnson. Counseling Multicultural and Diverse Populations: Strategies for Practitioners.

Ed. Nicholas A. Vacc and Susan Beck DeVaney. 4th ed. New York: Brunner-Routledge,

2003.

Duran, Eduardo. Healing the Soul Wound. New York: Teachers College P, 2006.

Duran, Eduardo and Bonnie Duran. Native American Postcolonial Psychology. New York:

State University of New York Press, Albany, 1995.

Garrett, J. T., and Michael Tlanusta Garrett.Medicine of the Cherokee: the Way of Right

Relationship. Santa Fe, NM: Bear & Pub., 1996. Print.
http://www.practicalceseminars.com/OnlineCEClasses4.html#ReawakenNativeRootshttp://www.practicalceseminars.com/OnlineCEClasses4.html#ReawakenNativeRootshttp://www.practicalceseminars.com/OnlineCEClasses4.html#ReawakenNativeRootshttp://www.practicalceseminars.com/OnlineCEClasses4.html#ReawakenNativeRoots


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Mehl-Madrona, Ph.D., M.D. Narrative Medicine: The Use of History and Story in the Healing

Process. Vermont: Bear & Company, 2007.

Thomason, Timothy C. "Commonalities Between Ericksonian Psychotherapy and Native

American Healing."Journal of Mental Health Health Counseling 31.4 (2009): 351-62.

EBSCO. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.

Thomason, Timothy C. "Counseling Native Americans: An Introduction for Non-Native

American Counselors."Journal of Counseling & Development69.March/April (1991):

321-27.EBSCO. Web. 11 Feb. 2010.

Witko, Tawa M. Mental Health Care for Urban Indians: Clinical Insights from Native

Practitioners. Washington: American Psychological Association, 2006.

treatment tip for working with native american clients incorporating culture

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