Counseling Intervention and American Indian Tradition

TLDR

Training of American Indian counseling and community psychologists should shift from conventional counseling tenets toward culturally sensitive mental health approaches that preserve American Indian values. The article contrasts unique American Indian social and psychological perspectives on counseling with the individualistic focus, style, and outcomes of contemporary American therapy. The authors review empirical studies on social influences in counseling and the types of problems presented by American Indians, and summarize three psychological interventions—social learning, behavioral, and network—for training counselors in effective mental health service delivery. Underuse of mental health services among American Indians is linked to power differentials in counseling relationships and conflicting acculturation goals between counselors and clients.

Abstract

The training of American Indian counseling and community psychologists should move away from conventional counseling tenets toward the use of culturally sensitive mental health approaches that maintain American Indian values. In this article, unique American Indian social and psychological perspectives concerning the process and theory of counseling are contrasted with the individualistic focus, style, and outcomes of therapy as practiced in America today. Empirical studies are reviewed concerning the role of social influences in the counseling process as perceived by American Indians and the types of problems Indians present in counseling. The under use of mental health services by American Indian is is associated with the tension surrounding power differentials in counseling relationships and perceived conflicting goals for acculturation between counselors and Indian clients. In addition, three types of psychological intervention-social learning, behavioral, and network -are reviewed and summarized for their contributions and implications for training counselors in effective mental health service delivery with American Indians.