Therapy as Ceremony: Embracing Decolonial Healing Practices for Native American Clients
Course Schedule (specific time spacing subject to vary)

10 minutes: Overview of the course

40 minutes: Describe the impact of colonization and historical trauma on Native American mental health: Participants will examine the effects of intergenerational trauma on Native American clients, fostering empathy and awareness in the therapeutic process.

40 minutes: Explain the integration of traditional healing practices into therapy: Participants will learn how to incorporate culturally significant elements such as storytelling, drumming, ceremonies, and a connection to the land into mental health interventions to enhance healing and well-being for Native American clients.

15 minutes: Break (no CEs)

40 minutes: Design strategies for decolonizing therapy: Participants will gain practical tools for decolonizing their therapeutic approaches, ensuring they create culturally safe and respectful spaces that honor Native American cultural knowledge and traditions.

40 minutes: Identify barriers to mental health access for Native American clients and ways to address them: Participants will assess the systemic and cultural barriers that prevent Native American clients from accessing mental health services and explore strategies to overcome these challenges in clinical practice.

10 minutes: Wrap-up & final questions