Honoring Indigenous Practices in Therapy: A Call for Recognition and Respect
As therapists, we are not the masters of healing nor the ones who hold all the answers. Rather, we are companions on our clients’ journeys, guiding and supporting them as they navigate their own lived experiences. Every client brings their unique story, pain, and wisdom into the therapeutic space, and it is crucial that we recognize that their healing is a deeply personal process. This understanding becomes even more important when we incorporate practices with roots in indigenous traditions—practices that have been passed down through generations of healers who understood that healing comes from within the individual and the community, not from external authority.
In our modern therapeutic landscape, we often draw upon frameworks like Internal Family Systems (IFS) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), but many of these approaches are adaptations of ancient, indigenous practices that have been repackaged within Western modalities. Concepts like soul retrieval, inner child work, and community-centered healing have long been part of indigenous traditions, yet their origins are often overlooked. As we integrate these methods into our practice, it is vital that we honor the cultures and ancestral wisdom that continue to guide us and our clients.
Indigenous healing traditions are steeped in rituals that connect individuals with their ancestors, the earth, and their communities. Practices like vision quests, sweat lodges, shamanic journeying, and plant medicine ceremonies have been used for centuries to facilitate healing, balance, and wholeness. These rituals are not merely spiritual or symbolic; they are deeply psychological processes that address the human experience in a holistic way.
As we integrate these modalities into modern therapy, it is important to honor the cultures and traditions they come from. Here are ways we can do so as therapists:
Acknowledge Ancestral Roots: Many of the techniques we use today, such as inner child work or parts therapy, echo indigenous practices like soul retrieval or spirit reintegration. Acknowledge this connection in your sessions by recognizing the ancestral wisdom embedded in these techniques. This could mean sharing the origins of such practices with clients or reflecting on the deep cultural significance of the modalities you lean on in your practice.
Some examples of how to support acknowledging this in session
Introducing the concept of ancestral healing: "As we explore these parts of yourself, I want to acknowledge that much of this inner work is deeply connected to ancestral traditions of healing that have been practiced for generations. The idea of retrieving and honoring parts of the self is something that many indigenous cultures have understood and honored for centuries."
Naming the Roots of Therapeutic Techniques: "The inner child work we’re doing today has parallels to indigenous practices of soul retrieval. These traditions often focus on recovering parts of the self that have been lost or hurt over time, and I want to honor those roots as we do this work together."
Creating Space for Cultural Wisdom: "As we explore what healing looks like for you, I want to acknowledge that the wisdom you bring into this space is deeply connected to your lineage—it’s not just yours, but inherited from generations before you. This space is meant to honor and incorporate that ancestral wisdom, recognizing the strength and knowledge passed down through your roots. Together, we can explore how to hold and integrate these intergenerational connections as part of your healing journey."
Recognizing Cultural or Spiritual Influences: "As we talk about your connection to nature, community, or spirit, I want to take a moment to honor the cultural practices that have historically centered these elements in healing. Many indigenous traditions remind us that healing is not only personal but also communal and connected to the earth."
Embrace Ritual and Symbolism: Rituals play a central role in many indigenous healing traditions, whether it’s through ceremonies, sacred objects, or symbolic acts of release and renewal. In modern therapy, we can respectfully incorporate elements of ritual, such as guided visualizations, ceremonial closure at the end of a session, or the use of nature-based metaphors. These help reconnect individuals with something greater than themselves, a key aspect of indigenous healing practices.
Example of what this may look like to name in session
Introducing Ritual or Symbolism in Session: "In many indigenous traditions, ritual plays a significant role in healing. If it feels meaningful for you, we could incorporate small rituals into our sessions to create intentional space for your healing. This might include pulling a card at the beginning or end of our session to offer guidance, using aromatherapy to support grounding, or incorporating visualization exercises to signify the start and close of our time together. These rituals can help us stay present and connected to your process, while honoring the roots of healing traditions."
Educate Yourself and Others: It is essential to educate ourselves on the rich traditions from which modern therapies have evolved. This can involve learning about specific indigenous cultures and their practices or understanding the broader history of indigenous healing around the world. By deepening our knowledge, we are better able to share the origins and significance of these healing practices with our clients, creating a more meaningful therapeutic experience.
Create a Culturally Respectful Space: Consider how your therapeutic environment can reflect the principles of balance, respect, and harmony that are central to many indigenous healing traditions. This could be through creating a space that acknowledges the earth's elements, using natural materials, or incorporating symbols of healing that honor the cultures you are drawing from. Such elements can provide comfort and grounding, enhancing the overall healing process.
Collaborate with Indigenous Healers: One of the most respectful ways to honor indigenous healing traditions is to build relationships with indigenous healers. Learning directly from them, or even inviting them to collaborate on workshops or community offerings, brings authenticity and depth to the integration of these practices into modern therapy. This collaboration not only honors the roots of these traditions but also promotes healing within indigenous communities themselves.
Recommended Resources
To deepen your understanding and connection to indigenous healing practices, and explore themes of nature, rituals, inner child healing, and shadow work, consider the following resources:
Books:
“Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants” by Robin Wall Kimmerer – A beautiful exploration of the relationship between humans and nature through indigenous knowledge and ecological science.
“The Four Sacred Gifts: Indigenous Wisdom for Modern Times” by Anita L. Sanchez – Shares wisdom from indigenous elders, focusing on healing, connection to nature, and living in harmony with the world.
“The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness” by Rhonda V. Magee – Blends mindfulness and social justice, drawing upon both personal and collective healing, relevant to inner work and shadow healing.
“The Healing Wisdom of Africa” by Malidoma Patrice Somé – A deep dive into African indigenous traditions that focuses on rituals and connecting with ancestral guidance and spirit.
“Journey to the Dark Goddess: How to Return to Your Soul” by Jane Meredith – An exploration of shadow work through myth and personal transformation, highlighting the wisdom in facing our darkness.
“Soulcraft: Crossing into the Mysteries of Nature and Psyche” by Bill Plotkin – A guide to connecting with nature and the inner self, emphasizing the transformative power of soul work and initiatory practices.
“The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief” by Francis Weller – Focuses on the sacredness of grief, integrating rituals and communal healing, and drawing on indigenous approaches to dealing with loss.
“Shamanic Healing: Traditional Medicine for the Modern World” by Itzhak Beery – Explores traditional shamanic healing techniques and their applications in modern therapy.
“The Way of the Shaman” by Michael Harner – A foundational work on core shamanism and indigenous healing traditions.
“Black Elk Speaks” by John Neihardt – The life story of Black Elk, an Oglala Lakota visionary, and his insights into indigenous spirituality and healing.
“Women Who Run with the Wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estés – Explores the connection between feminine psychology and ancestral wisdom through storytelling.
“Healing Through the Dark Emotions” by Miriam Greenspan – Focuses on how grief, fear, and despair can be transformed into healing, paralleling indigenous views on embracing all emotions.
“Spirit Medicine” by Nicki Scully – Delves into indigenous approaches to healing through sacred ceremonies, rituals, and connections to the natural world.
Websites:
Braiding Sweetgrass Website – Further insights into indigenous ecological wisdom and the teachings of plants from Robin Wall Kimmerer’s work.
The Native American Health Center - Offers a variety of health services and resources rooted in indigenous healing practices, promoting holistic health approaches that honor cultural traditions.
Indigenous Wellness Research Institute - The Indigenous Wellness Research Institute is dedicated to advancing the health and wellness of Indigenous peoples through research, education, and community engagement. Their resource section provides a wealth of information focused on culturally relevant practices, community health initiatives, and healing strategies rooted in Indigenous traditions. This platform serves as a valuable tool for those seeking to understand and integrate Indigenous wellness approaches into their work and lives.
As we walk alongside one another in the journey of mental health treatment, it’s so important to recognize and honor the rich historical and cultural contexts that shape the practices we embrace. By celebrating indigenous healing modalities and acknowledging their deep roots, we not only honor the beautiful diversity of human experience but also enhance our therapeutic work and nurture true healing. Let’s commit to honoring the ancestral wisdom passed down through generations, allowing it to gently guide us and our clients on their unique healing paths. Together, we can create a warm and welcoming space where this wisdom is cherished and integrated, fostering deeper understanding and connection.
