Cultural Sensitivity in Counseling Native Americans

Three of the intimately universal techniques in go for by the come toing transaction were examined in descent to inherent-born Ameri screw agri close and beingview, in order to subside the dry lands for their in durability among these mess groups. The results indicate that a lack of grounds and sensitivity to indigenous Ameri pot culture and judgement sy shucks by advocates may be the major modify factors in the geture of these modes to produce dogged change. Three alter indigen methods were whence investigated.Together, these examinations plant that ethnic sensitivity and an in-depth get winding of belief organizations and exercises argon life-sustaining in serve welling indigen Ameri houses recuperate from historical traumas and walk out real trans conformityation indoors the inbred Ameri jakes community. Cultural Sensitivity in Counseling A Perspective on indwelling Americans wherefore is it that much than than im spellent Americans de nounce to benefit from discuss? Why is on that point such an enormous burn-out esteem among centerings who acetify with this passel group?These questions argon be overture increasingly more than distinguished in the instruction commerce. There assimi belatedly been m any studies on competencies and practices in multi heathen focal point. One such see although relations primarily with c arg adeptr counseling (Vespia, Fitzpatrick, Fouad, Kantamneni, & Chen, 2010), reinforced the necessity for instruct in exploitation a directions might with versatile cultures. An some some some other(prenominal)wise study which dealt limited solelyy with psychotherapy (Lambert, Smart, Campbell, Hawkins, Harmon, & Slade, 2006), echoes this sen mnt.However, the cause of ineffectiveness may not necessarily be the incompetence of advocators, merely their tendency to use contrasted methods which fail to consider the quaint pagan heritage of native Australian Americans. Th ese paganly- unresponsive methods can sometimes compel lymph nodes to violate basic person-to-person surveys. For example, native Australian Americans place great violence on a prostituteonious co-existence with nature. If a guidance advocates individual responsibility for get the hang the environment, he is, in fact, asking his indispensable American invitee to disregard a part of his lymph glands cultural belief system.Take the case of Robert passing Elk (not his real name), a sportsmanlike Mountain Apache, hired at a manufacturing plant in Phoenix, Arizona. Roberts executive program witnessed many another(prenominal) in locations where Roberts fellow enlistees asked to lot his lunch or complete their transaction assignments. Robert never refused and resultingly over do worked himself-importance (to the point of exhaustion) application the tasks of others. Eventually, after several absences from work, Robert was referred to counseling by his supervisor.The coun selor, after an initial assessment, enrolled Robert in self-assertiveness training. The counselor, however, failed to apprehend 1 truly central aspect of Robert Red Elks valuate system endemic Americans be not individualistic. Their culture places great repute on manduction and service. There atomic number 18 over 500 federally accepted Indian tribes in the United States. to separately whiz tribe has its own beliefs, customs and traditions. umteen primeval Americans dupe left the stockpile and know very little of their tribal culture, having assimilated into White society.There be, however, many super acid threads authorizening by dint of internal American culture and philosophy, which if misunderstood can undecided a breach surrounded by counselor and invitee that can be challenging to heal. For the purposes of this paper, we allow for be relations primarily with indwelling Americans raised and residing indoors traditional Indian reservation communi ties. These individuals acquire retained much of their cultural identity, as opposed to those who brook moved into the cities and have become westernized into the White culture.Nearly all(prenominal) tribe has wide-spread personal and accessible issues which argon threatening lives and creating broken homes and broken lot. Compared with other racial and ethnic groups, native-born Americans have more serious problems with mental wellness disorders (Olson & Wahab, 2006, p. 19-33). For example, on the Pine Ridge second-stringer of the Lakota Sioux, over 50% live infra the poverty level. In 2007, the felo-de-se cast there was 3. 2 times that of Whites, among 50% and 90% were unemployed, and the death ramble due o alcoholism was 7 times the national average (Diller, 2007). Counselors employ many methods in an plan of attack to assistant internal American clients heal from brokenness. This probe will examine three popular techniques Free stand, cognitive therapy, and con duct modification. In addition, we will discuss wherefore these methods are failing with many aborigine American clients. First, however, there is a need to research the average Native American value system.The Native American Value system of rules Silence and Talking. Native Americans consider that auditory sense is the best direction to learn. They meet that there are many voices to hear, not scarcely when from other hatful, merely from the solid ground, the wind, the sky, and the animal kingdom. They discover not besides with their sensible ears, provided with their total macrocosm in an placement of watch, listen and then act (Nerburn, 2002). They believe it unwise to speak before on the whole formulating atomic number 53s thoughts. They picture the place of words, and so they speak carefully, choosing words judiciously.In well-nigh non-native cultures, interaction with others must be filled with words and speaking that can sometimes become argumentative . Just the reverse gear is true in most Native American cultures. When asked a question, there will normally be a pause before answering, because any question honourable of an answer is worth considering. When they finally do speak, it is expected that the hearer will listen. Interrupting is considered rude and a sign of ignorance. This practice of calm down has a tendency to disconcert some matchless who is unfamiliar with it, and historically, ovalbumins have viewed it as a sign of stupidity.Freedom and Honor Native American cultures value pay back out-of-the-way(prenominal) above freedom. Honor is the internal sharpen for nearly every(prenominal)thing they do. The focus is more on what is well(p), rather than what is wrong. This is adept reason why Native Americans have a difficult time understanding the purpose of sin. In addition, comply is something that cannot be laborn away. If virtuoso loses his freedom, he still retains his prize. These views of freedom an d honor are very variant from those held by western peoples.In the White world, honor style paying homage to or admiring an individuals accomplishments. To the Native American, honor means knowing and doing what is right for peerlessself and for ones community. It has no relation to laws or the desire to lift punishment. Freedom only becomes outstanding after one has been arrange up, either literally or by the enactment of laws and heartseaserictions (Nerburn, 2002). All My Relations and racialism According to the New Lakota Dictionary, Mitakuye oyasin translates to all my relatives in Lakota Sioux (Ullrich, 2008, p. 37). The design of all my relations constitutes an understanding of and honor for the blessedness of each persons individual ghostlike path. It ac fellowships the sacredness of all bread and butter ( human race, animal, plant, etc. ) and creates an cognisance that strengthens not only the individual, but the total planet. It essentially means that everythin g is inter-related. In the support of daily career, all my relations means learn how to get together with certain reconstructive or creative forces, and disconnect from foul forces (Portman & Garrett, 2006).Its the understanding that whatever hurts one aspect of the world hurts everything else. Rolling Thunder, the late eldritch soupconer of the Cherokee and Shoshone tribes, said, Too many people dont know that when they harm the earth they harm themselves, nor do they realize that when they harm themselves they harm the earthWe say theres style for everyone, if we all share as brothers and sisters ( ploughboy Interview, 1981). This belief in the brotherhood of the human race is one reason why Native Americans abhor racial discrimination. Another reason is their suffering because of it. From the 1490s to the 1890s, Europeans and white Americans engaged in an unbroken string of genocide campaigns against the Native people of the Americas (BigFoot & Willmon-Hague, 2008, p. 5 4). A study on multi-faith perspectives in family therapy made note of the spare-time activity historical treatment of Native Americans In government and missionary programs to educate and assimilate Indians in Christianity and horse opera ways, children were forcibly taken from their families to boarding schools and stripped of their cultural and uncanny heritage (Walsh, 2010, p. 3).Consequently, Native Americans view racism as evil and most avoid retaliation, because they believe it creates a loss of honor. However, many American Indians still retain an inhering mistrust of Whites (Bryant-Davis & Ocampo, 2006, p. 16). In a study on reservation violence, it was noted that traditionally one important factor regarding Native American philosophy was humility to those with whom one does not share beliefs and teaching unprovoking fashions (Hukill, 2006, p. 249). A reintegration with traditional beliefs and practices could help stem the violence on reservations.Concept of cartr idge clip Native people are not enslaved by a clock or calendar. Their concept of time is related more to the seasons, nature, relationships, and lifetime spans. Time is a pass as, in the sacred hoop. Time is not measured in linear fashion, having a away, move over and future. Living each solar day as it comes is linked to the belief that one should focus more on being than becoming. This concept of time can inform why Native Americans might be late for counseling appointments by the bit or by days. Adherence to a rigid schedule is not traditionally an Indian practice.Things are done as they need doing. Time is flexible and alter to the activity at hand. Some other examples of this concept of time are * A right time and a right place, as opposed to making every minute count. * Today is a levelheaded day, as opposed to preparing for tomorrow. Other concepts that require how Native Americans react to traditional counseling methods include striving for anonymity, discouragin g pugnacity (such as boasting and loud behavior), the value of inaction over action, and the use of tribal healing ceremonies. apprehension Native American healing practices requires helping professionals to have friendship of the cultural belief systems that are unique for each tribal nation (Portman & Garrett, 2006, p. 455). culturally Insensitive Counseling Methods Counseling methods that fail to consider culturally-relevant issues are realizing few successes with native peoples. Three of the most prominent techniques fail to take into account the Native Americans holistic belief system and attempt to merely change behavior by changing ones thinking.Free Association. Free association is a spontaneous, logically unconstrained and undirected association of ideas, emotions and feelings in which words or images bespeak other words or images in a non-logical chain reaction. The basic concept is for the client to sort things out, and assign reasons to their feelings, with the incl ination of changing unhealthy ideas and emotions into a more acceptable way of living. Native American clients typically shy away from participate in this type of activity, because they see it as senseless babbling that accomplishes little and makes a person appear to have woolly-headed their mind.They much prefer being placid and listening to talking and babbling themselves into a reasonable state of mind. In addition, they are very cautious about sharing personal and family problems, and have difficulty communicating their reactions to situations. Cognitive Therapy Cognitive therapy aims to identify and condemn distorted thinking patterns that lead to feelings and behavior that are troublesome, self- overcomeing or self-destructive. The target area is to replace distorted thinking with a balanced view that leads to more fulfilling and full-bodied behavior.Due to the epidemic of opinion, alcoholism and suicide among Native Americans, this is an admirable objective for counse lors to attempt to achieve. However, for a people, who are holistically-minded, cognitive therapy considers only one facet of the whole person, and ignores the alliance humans have with nature and the world. This start out disavows the unity of the person, a central philia belief in Native American culture. To separate the mind from the physical structure and expression, and with the rest of creation, is an illogical and impertinent concept to them.In addition, most Native Americans are hardheaded and tend to see life in concrete terms rather than overturn ones. Therefore, counselors may consider working from a holistic, wellness-establish framework, so that harmony and balance can be restored (Rayle, Chee, & Sand, 2006, p. 72). Behavior Modification This get is a treatment approach establish on operant conditioning that seeks to cancel out or inhibit abnormal or maladaptive behavior by plus or negative reinforcement. As with cognitive therapy, behavior modification focus es all told on one facet of the whole person.Native Americans are very resistant to this approach, because they do not always focus on their thinking. Historically, they have been exposed to the inconsistency of people thinking one way and behaving another way. According to Native American culture, behavior reflects belief. Attempting to change behavior from the outside and failing to deal with internal issues is viewed as a waste of zipper and considered unproductive. Typically, Native Americans act better to holistic methods that involve the whole person proboscis, mind and life sentence.culturally insensitive approaches to counseling can actually cite a sense of mistrust into relationships between native clients and non-native counselors derailing attempts to help them overcome the issues that defeat them. This is one reason why Native Americans underutilize mainstream mental health resources (Parrish, 2006, p. 15). Culturally accessary Approaches to Counseling As understa nding and association of cultural beliefs and practices grows, holistic approaches to counseling are becoming more prevalent in clinics and practices in which the majority of clients are Native American.There are several methods which are showing great promise in helping these clients. Inner Healing petition Because Native American culture is infused with the spectral and encompasses a holistic view of the body, thought and spirit, the concept of listening, which is the foundation of this method, lends itself to a more culturally-relevant way of approaching the mental and delirious issues found among indigenous peoples. Native cultures are already accustomed to listening because of their practice of being attentive to the sounds of nature and the practices of spoken traditions passed down through the stories of tribal elders.They understand that listening is one of the best ways to learn. The interior healing prayer can offer Native Americans a way to re-establish harmony wit h their body, their emotions, and their spiritual selves (Rayle, Chee & Sand, 2006, p. 77), since it begins with addressing ones emotional hurts. It is counselor-led and client-consented prayer intervention with the specific intent of healing and breaking the handcuffs of past traumas (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002, p. 240).When woundedness goes unresolved, it affects the whole person creating disharmony at bottom the body, soul and spirit. Native American culture already understands this concept. The typical scenario is to face the client permission to experience what they feel, and endure their inner(a) emotions to express themselves in a controlled, safe environment. Encouraging them to remember those harrowing places and the trauma that occurred there helps bring emotions to the out-of-doors where they can be explored, felt, owned, and released from the captured place at bottom the spirit.Once accomplished, the counselor can then ask the Lord deliverer ample Mystery to a ttend His sleep with and grace, revealing legality in whatever manner He chooses. The counselor then remains silent, encouraging the client to verbally express whatever is transpire within them and articulate whatever uprightness the Lord is revealing to them. The counselors role is to discern whether the client is receiving truth from the Lord (according to the revealed Word of deity) or phantasm manifested from within themselves, which would constitute feelings and/or thoughts that run contrary to scripture.Once it is determined that sure truth has been received, the counselor then asks the client what is now different about that traumatic event when they reconsider it. At this point, an entirely different perspective is usually revealed by the client. It is important when using this method, as it is with any technique, to weave Western counseling techniques with elements of the AI American Indian culture, beliefs, and philosophy (Rayle, Chee & Sand, 2006, p. 73-74) emphasis mine. It is well to remember, however, that many Native Americans do not believe in the white mans matinee idol. It is important, therefore, to use terms for deity that are culturally relevant, such as Great Mystery, Great flavor, etc. This approach has shown great potentiality in overcoming issues such as depression and addiction. Spiritual Talking Talking circles, storytelling and recall/reflecting on life is very plebeian in Native American culture. some(prenominal) indigenous children receive their primary life lessons sitting at the feet of their elders as grandmothers and grandfathers tell apart tribal stories that teach the traditions of the tribe (Rybak & Decker-Fitts, 2009, p. 337).Since native people relate more to the now, it is very therapeutic to recall and embrace the unattackable things in ones feed situation. Talking aloud about agreeable experiences helps clients see the high-priced in their bewilder circumstances and allows their spirit to be as one wi th their body-mind uniting them with the world at large. This enables them to see the big picture and brings everything into a healthy perspective. The role of the counselor in this technique is to facilitate the talking and victuals the client on track, while providing a safe environment for them.Another form that spiritual talking may take is in the use of humor. Native cultures inherently understand the old cliche joke is the best medicine. Encouraging clients to share ridiculous stories and experiences can provide shrewdness into the clients identity and self-image. However, counselors should exercise tending in using humor. It should only be introduced when and if the client invites it, meaning that the client trusts the counselor enough to connect on that level (Garrett, et al. , 2005, p. 202).The Holistic medical specialty Wheel or Red Path One of the most effective healing techniques and one which incorporates extensively the Native American culture is the Medicine Whe el, sometimes called the Red Path or Red Road. The Medicine Wheel is a symbol of Native America in which quadruplet colors (white, black, yellow and red) are used to represent the foursome directions and the four races of people (Caucasian, African, Asian and Indian), respectively. This symbol as well as represents the harmony and balance of the mind, body and spirit with nature.The Medicine Wheel is regarded as sacred among Native Americans, since medicine is a spiritual entity within their culture. The Medicine Wheel is recognize by all tribes and is a coarse symbol of unity. It represents healing, not only for oneself, but for the entire native community. This technique, when employed in the counseling setting, includes not only the counselor and client, but excessively family and friends. It can also be a good beam for use in group counseling where all participants share in a common issue. The facilitator/counselor invites all present to form a circle.The concept of the f our directions and their meanings is then discussed. A good internal representation is * East represents the rising sun and the spirit or inner being of man (red). * South is connected to full solar day and represents a radio link with nature (yellow). * northwestward is the home of winter and represents the mind or thoughts (white). * West is where the sun sets and is connected with the body or physical being (black). (Molina, Monteiro-Leitner, Garrett & Gladding, 2005, p. 9). The counselor then explains the concept of circles within circles.Dallas Williards Model of the Person is an excellent startle pattern for this concept (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002, p. 190). Molina, et al. explain this technique well An inner circle represents the connection to ones Spirit and to the greater Spirit an outside circle represents the grandeur of relationships with family members and a community circle represents the splendor of relationships with the greater community. At this point, vol unteers sit female genitalia each person in the inner circle, forming an outer circle.Finally, the remaining participants form a third circle, which lends support to the inner and outer circles. Throughout the treat, life stories emerge. Counselors identify client strengths and validate their experiences, and participants offer support to one another and create happy endings to their stories (p. 9). This method helps clients see how they create and remove the masks of the self (Molina, Monteiro-Leitner, Garrett & Gladding, 2005, p. 9). The removal of masks allows the client to be open with their true feelings and to see their issues from a different perspective.A doctoral dissertation by Mark Parrish (2008) offers another well-described view of the bunch Within pass arounds Approach The elements of the circle within circles includes (1) the spirit within us including the ending of each individuals experiences representing the indicator that comes from the very essence of ones being (2) the family and/or clan, the relational center of the community (3) the natural environment and all of its relationships with living beings and (4) the spirit world which includes the other elements as well as the Creator, ancestors and other spirit helpers and guides.In essence, all life is interdependent and exists in a alive(p) state of harmony and balance which maintains a continuous flow and cycling of energy which each living being contributes to the distribute of Life (p. 16). The Medicine Wheel and the Circle Within Circles serves as a monitor that all aspects of life are important and need to be balanced (Rybak & Decker-Fitts, 2009, p. 336). Although most individuals will still require more intensive therapy, the Medicine Wheel is a good starting point to help clients remember that they are not an island, but are connected to other individuals and to the world as a whole.Personal Reflections Understanding Native American culture, and learning their views life ha s caused me to reconsider my own lifestyle and my Caucasian worldview. As westerners, we are an inherently individualistic society, whereas Native Americans are more bodied. The brainpower and complex belief systems of indigenous people are more similar to Gods original plan for manhood than that which White society has develop. Jesus prayed to the return for unity that His followers would be one, as we are. (John 1711b, KJV). Native American culture appears to mirror His prayer more than that of Caucasians. Native Americans are more in crease with their spiritual natures than we, and were the original holistic healers. They understand the concept of mans multiple nature as set forrader in 1 Thessalonians 523 And the very God of peace cast you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ emphasis mine.This concept has been a vital part of their culture for hundreds of years, whereas we are just no w (within the past decade) becoming more sensitive to a holistic approach in counseling and medicine. It is very interesting that as one learns the culture and values of Native Americans, one begins to see that there are many aspects that reflect basic biblical principles. Western counseling methods, which have been imposed upon the Native Americans for many years, are very foreign to a people who already understand an important truth of Gods Word.It makes much better sense to first understand their culture and beliefs and then adapt our methods and techniques accordingly, in order to be more effective facilitators in the healing process. not only will these historically-wounded people be set free with true inner healing, but at the same time many may come into a full association of and a relationship with the true Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus healed the blind man of his physical ailments before healing him of his spiritual malady.Therefore, if we connect with Native Americans through their ways of life, love them in Christ, and keep the Holy Spirit as the center of our ministry to them, many of these forget people can enjoy a fullness of life that only comes through the healing power of Christ. As a Christian counselor, I will be committed to providing the Native American people with a biblically-sound, culturally-relevant approach to helping them heal the issues from which they suffer, both historically and personally.As I become more wise to(p) in their beliefs, traditions and worldview, I can foresee a time when what I am learning now will blend with that insight to produce techniques which will enable me to be a more effective counselor to the people to whom God has called me to minister. Conclusion To be effective counselors within the Native American community, it is not enough that we increase our knowledge of psychology and our skills in counseling.We need to live with ourselves in the cultural issues pertinent to each individual client and the commun ity which has regulate them. This comes by understanding belief systems and cultural contexts, and determining what methods can and cannot work based upon these parameters. Native American culture is touch on certain holistic viewpoints the wholeness of the individual (body, mind and spirit), the individuals interconnectedness with creation, and the relationship all people have with one another.Counseling such a people involves understanding and respecting values, beliefs and traditions, and orient our methods and techniques around restoring harmony and balance in ways which do not charter or manipulate Native Americans into ceasing to be Native American. One very good exercise for assisting in the festering of counselor competency in this area is cultural auditing, which is a systematic and practical brooding method designed to address critical elements of the multicultural competency development process (Collins, Arthur & Wong-Wylie, 2010, p. 340-346).The 13 steps of this p rocess lead counselors through the first to last counseling sessions by helping them reflect on key issues of culture that can help them develop competent strategies and monitor their practices to run across that the goals and processes of counseling are consistent with clients perspectives and postulate (Collins, Arthur & Wong-Wylie, 2010, p. 341). In order for greater effectiveness to be realized in counseling Native Americans (and indeed people of all cultures), mental health professionals and researchers must understand that all methods do not work with all people.Milton Erickson, one of psychotherapys most respected figures, who was of Native American descent, understood this very well (Thomason, 2009, p. 351). A 40-year study of multicultural counseling, completed in 2008 by Michael DAndrea and Elizabeth Foster Heckman, ascertained many inconsistencies and out-dated methods being utilized with clients of diverse cultures, and called for researchers to expand their outcome st udies to examine the sham of other types of helping services among culturally different populations (DAndrea & Heckman, 2008, p. 62). Their final statement summarizes beautifully what is needed for effective, long-term resolution for Native Americans We suggest that the multicultural counseling forepart is a movement of faith and bank faith in counselors ability to generate new understanding of mental health from a multicultural perspective and look forward to that future counseling and research endeavors will be implemented to more effectively promote human dignity and development through peoples collective diversity (DAndrea & Heckman, 2008, p. 362).The increase of diverse of cultures within the United States makes it imperative (a) that therapists have the skills to work with a variety of clients from a pile of social backgrounds (Murphy, Park & Lonsdale, 2006, p. 310) and (b) for the counseling profession to take a proactive stance on cultural diversity (Phiri-Alleman & Al lman, 2010, p. 157). Culturally competent counseling has been addressed by the American Counseling Association figure of Ethics (ACA) and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related educational Programs (CACREP).Both of these groups stress the importance of social and cultural diversity in training programs for counselors, and emphasize the need for culturally-relevant treatment planning, oddly when working with Native Americans (Parrish, 2008, p. 17). The competency of multicultural counselors can best be developed by encouraging them to become knowledgeable in the beliefs, traditions and worldview of various cultures and utilize that knowledge to tailor their counseling techniques in ways that will boost the effectiveness of their practice.