Article
Counseling Intervention and American Indian Tradition: An Integrative Approach
The Counseling Psychologist
(1990)
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.
Keywords
- Community psychologists,
- American Indian values
Disciplines
Publication Date
1990
DOI
10.1177/0011000090184006
Publisher Statement
Published by Sage Journals
Citation Information
Joseph E. Trimble, PhD, Teresa D. LaFromboise and Gerald V. Mohatt. "Counseling Intervention and American Indian Tradition: An Integrative Approach" The Counseling Psychologist Vol. 18 Iss. 4 (1990) p. 628 - 654 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/joseph_trimble/51/