Counseling Indigenous People

By Jaden Masters

Description

Understanding how to properly assist and communicate with Indigenous communities within multicultural counseling is an invaluable asset for counselors to understand. Making up an already small portion of the population of the United States population that is even further exacerbated when looking at field of psychology as well. Meaning there is a very small population that truly understands what being indigenous is like and those who may be able to provide understanding and assistance is even smaller this creates a gap within how counselors are able to approach indigenous clients. Traditional western counseling may not always be exactly for people living in indigenous communities and being demonstrating proper cultural humility might help close the gap and give stronger voices to indigenous cultures within our communities and counseling.

Advice for Counselors

1. Understanding the Cultural Context of Indigenous Communities

Indigenous communities are not homogenous meaning that not all of these communities are the same or hold similar values or traditions. Depending on location or background there can be very different identities and values that will arise from each individual so it is extremely important to remain open and show culture humility to understanding the diversity between each client as an individual. 

2. Understanding Traditional Healing and Medicine

Many Indigenous people will use traditional healing methods alongside traditional counseling whether it be for physical, emotional, mental or spiritual you goals as a counselor should be to develop actions plans or idea that work alongside the other practices of the client as the practices are often culturally as well as individually important to the client and they should not be ignored or dismissed.

3. Communication Skills

Communication styles and contexts could be different from traditional western ideals or understanding and truly listening and engaging with clients will be an invaluable asset when working with indigenous clients. It is also important to understand historical contexts between cultures of indigenous and American people. You may encounter things like dissonance of trying to people trying to balance both their identities to their individual cultures and traditional western culture as well as their may be friction between client and western healthcare that could be communication function differently than how counselors may be used to. It is important to once again maintain and understanding of the background a client has came from and be respectful and engaged with them.

4. Historical Context

Counselors that are working with Native American clients should properly understand the historical trauma and oppression that have affected their lives and mental health. A long history of colonization, assimilation, and discrimination has likely had large effects on generations of indigenous people and these deep rooted and systematic problems have an effect on these communities. This could be a part of a driving force behind struggles and trauma that effect many indigenous people and communities today and will over generations. Understanding these systemic problems is important to enhance understanding indigenous clients.

References:

THOMASON, T. C. (1991). Counseling Native Americans: An introduction for Non-Native American Counselors. Journal of Counseling & Development, 69(4), 321–327. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1991.tb01514.x

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etheme.com. (2023). Native American Tribes Map Poster [2023 Version] (Indigenous Peoples/American Indian Tribal Map). Indigenous Peoples Resources. https://indigenouspeoplesresources.com/products/indian-tribes-map-poster-wall-art-indigenous-peoples-native-american-tribal-map?srsltid=AfmBOoqL4lRBoNWt3XSIef_Sco2lejlttwbMuhebzpU9simesWDWd4kv

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Stamm, K., Assefa, M., & Lin, L. (2023, October 1). Psychologists need more experience working with Indigenous populations [Review of Psychologists need more experience working with Indigenous populations]. Apa.org; American Psychological Assocation. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/10/gaps-treating-race-ethnicity-populations

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