Traditional Healing Methods with First Nations Women in Group Counselling

A traditional aboriginal healing ceremony, called the Healing Circle, was utilized in a counselling group comprised of First Nations and non-aboriginal women survivors of child sexual abuse. The traditional ceremony and aboriginal beliefs were examined for their impact on the counselling process. Th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Heilbron, Carrie L., Julius Guttman, Mary Alice
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association 2007
Subjects:
Online Access:https://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/article/view/58633
Description
Summary:A traditional aboriginal healing ceremony, called the Healing Circle, was utilized in a counselling group comprised of First Nations and non-aboriginal women survivors of child sexual abuse. The traditional ceremony and aboriginal beliefs were examined for their impact on the counselling process. The ceremony and beliefs established a spiritual component which contributed positively to the group. Adhering to aboriginal culture was integral to the healing process. Suggestions for the non-aboriginal counsellor in facilitating the healing process for First Nations women are offered. Une cérémonie de guérison autochtone traditionnelle, appelée la cérémonie du cercle de guérison, a été utilisée dans un groupe de thérapie comprenant des femmes des Premières Nations ainsi que des femmes non autochtones. On a étudié l'effet de la cérémonie traditionnelle et des croyances autochtones sur le processus de counseling. La crémonie et les croyances ont apporté un élément spirituel qui a contribué d'une façon positive au groupe. L'adhésion à la culture autochtone constituait une partie intégrale du processus de guérison. L'article offre des suggestions à l'intention des conseillers non autochtones afin qu'ils puissent contribuer au processus de guérison chez les femmes des Premières Nations.