A,merican Native Family Therapy

Culture plays a major role in whether or not a family in crisis seeks help as well as what sort of help the family will accept. Therapy is viewed in some cultures as stigmatizing - “we’re not crazy!” - and often, if the family will agree to therapy at all, they prefer to work with someone from their own culture. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the American Native culture.

Given that the family therapist inserts herself into the very fiber of the family, it is absolutely necessary for that therapist to be aware of the cultural issues from which that fa

Following rituals include play using many Native games which often has the bonus effect of allowing shyer participants the ability to laugh and begin to appropriately self-disclose or process. Profound exploration often occurs during the Medicine Wheel activity. While this would take too long to explain, simply, it involves with the “four directions” and the strength associations with each. Individuals are encouraged to assess themselves and each other and work toward balance.

According to Manson (1997), these additions have given therapists an important tool for understanding mental disorders in a cultural context. Cultural identity and cultural factors related to psychosocial environment are two of the dimensions used to paint the clinical picture in this cultural context.

Kim has a history of substance abuse and has been contemplating drinking again. The urge, by her report, is very strong. David is prone to angry outbursts and violence due to his own drug and alcohol use/abuse. Their fights are loud and often result in both of them throwing things at each other. While Kim has called the tribal police on several occasions, she has not pressed charges for fear she would also get into trouble. Kim denies being physically abuse to her children but does state that she is often angry and frustrated by David’s behavior and takes it out on the children. Kim and her daughter both describe a sense of hopelessness and purposelessness. Kim wonders if it would be better to just leave.

A Cherokee proverb says, “Listen or your tongue will make you deaf” (Hifler, 1992, p. 50). Silence allows for reflection. Another activity is called “Putting Yourself into Someone Else’s Moccasins” which emphasizes silence.

Some topics in this essay:
American Native, David Kim, Catcher Ceremony”, Therapy Introduction, Project Eagle, Disorders DSM, American Indians, American Natives, American Indian, Crowley Morris, american native, et al, et al 2001, al 2001, american indian, christensen 2001, american natives, american native family, substance abuse, american indians, indian adolescents, native family, robbins et al, american indian adolescents, indian adolescents families,