Integrating Professional and Indigenous Therapies

The authors present a narrative case study of an urban American Indian male college student who integrated Indigenous and professional therapies during an acute period of stress, loss, and depression. As the first published case of an American Indian in an urban context, this article expands on previous clinical cases by focusing on the client’s perspective relative to his own conceptions of help-seeking behaviors. Based on qualitative analysis of five audio-recorded interviews, this case utilizes an innovative methodology to portray four approaches to healing (medication, counseling, bonding, and spirituality) that contribute to holistic well-being. Implications for counseling psychologists include being aware of how some American Indian clients may (a) view professional treatment dynamics through a Native cultural lens (e.g., seeing ideal communication as a “rhythm”), (b) utilize an expanded range of therapeutic agents, (c) resist medication for cultural and spiritual reasons, and (d) refrain from discussing spiritual matters with professionals. 1Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Corresponding Author: Dennis C. Wendt, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1107 NE 45th St., Suite 120, Box 354805, Seattle, WA 98105-4631, USA. Email: [email protected] 638741 TCPXXX10.1177/0011000016638741The Counseling PsychologistWendt and Gone research-article2016 The Division 17 logo denotes that this article is designated as a CE article. To purchase the CE Test, please visit www.apa.org/ed/ce by guest on August 8, 2016 tcp.sagepub.com Downloaded from 696 The Counseling Psychologist 44(5)