Canada has always boasted about being a cultural mosaic; a place where people of many different cultures can live together in peace without giving up their familiar languages and ways of life. For the First Nations of this country, the experience was very different. Their culture was lost in the Federal residential school system to accommodate the so-called mosaic. In Western Canada in the late 1990's, a dedicated group of nationally sponsored counsellors worked with the author of this book to serve thousands of First Peoples, and provide them with the psychological support they needed. Participants came voluntarily, stumbling out of the darkness that surrounded them and their families. The fires of their grandparents teaching had gone out in memory and practice, and they were left struggling to find their voices in a Canada that was unrecognizable to them. This book presents many of the core beliefs of the original First Peoples as they have been rediscovered and reborn in this new world.

This handbook is being used by the Four Worlds Development Project to eliminate widespread drug and alcohol abuse in tribal communities. It is now being shared for the first time with all members of the human family desiring personal growth."--Publisher's description.

North America’s Indigenous population is a vulnerable group, with specific psychological and healing needs that are not widely met in the mental health care system. Indigenous peoples face certain historical, cultural-linguistic and socioeconomic barriers to mental health care access that government, health care organizations and social agencies must work to overcome. This volume examines ways Indigenous healing practices can complement Western psychological service to meet the needs of Indigenous peoples through traditional cultural concepts. Bringing together leading experts in the fields of Aboriginal mental health and psychology, it provides data and models of Indigenous cultural practices in psychology that are successful with Indigenous peoples. It considers Indigenous epistemologies in applied psychology and research methodology, and informs government policy on mental health service for these populations.

Canadian counsellors and counselling psychologists have made significant advances in mental health services and the broader field of applied psychology, but much of the counselling and counselling psychology scholarship has been published outside of Canada, rendering it difficult to identify as distinctly Canadian. This path-breaking book highlights the work of Canadian counsellors and counselling psychologists and focuses on issues pertinent to practising in Canada. Key topics such as scientific issues, health, wellness, prevention, career psychology, assessment, training and supervision, and social justice and multiculturalism are explored in detail. Using a strength-based framework, each chapter attends to societal factors, diversity of methodological frameworks, and an analysis of the challenges and future directions for the disciplines. Providing a common voice for a diverse group of students and professionals, Canadian Counselling and Counselling Psychology in the 21st Century will be of interest to counsellor educators, faculty in counsellor and counselling psychology training programs, and counsellors interested in advancing their understanding of the current state of the field. Contributors include Kevin G. Alderson (University of Calgary), Nancy Arthur (University of Calgary), Bill Borgen (University of British Columbia), Marla Buchanan (University of British Columbia), Erin Buhr (Trinity Western University), Lee Butterfield (Adler School of Professional Psychology), Sharon Cairns (University of Calgary), Sandra Collins (Athabasca University), Jose Domene (University of New Brunswick), Marilyn Fitzpatrick (McGill University), Nick Gazzola (University of Ottawa), Freda Ginsberg (SUNY Plattsburgh), Liette Goyer (Universite Laval), Bryan Hiebert (University of Victoria), George Hurley (Memorial University of Newfoundland), Anusha Kassan (University of British Columbia), Patricia Keats (Simon Frazer University), Audrey Kinzel (University of Saskatoon), Vivian Lalande (University of Calgary, Sasha Lerner (McGill University), Anne Marshall (University of Victoria), Marv McDonald (Trinity Western University), Louise Overington (McGill University), Jane M. Oxenbury (Independent Practice), Sharon Robertson (University of Calgary), Ada L. Sinacore (McGill University), Suzanne L. Stewart (OISE, University of Toronto), and Jessica Van Vliet (University of Alberta).

The authors--a psychiatrist and holistic and integrative medicine physician and a Native American visionary--present how to use the circular pathway of the medicine wheel to re-train the nervous system of our returning veterans suffering from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).--

Alcoholism has traditionally been viewed as a persistent and chronic disorder. Recent years, however, have seen a growing belief that the disorder can be completely transformed into stable, long-term improvement after intervention. Yet we know relatively little about the course of alcoholism over the long run. Although research has documented substantial rates of remission after treatment, the stability of such remission is very much an unanswered question. The purpose of this study is to extend knowledge about the remission process by examining the history of a sample of treated alcoholics over a period of 4 years. We find it is common for alcoholics to reach a state of remission, but that state is generally intermittent rather than stable. The study is based on a random sample of 922 males who made contact in 1973 with any one of eight Alcoholism Treatment Centers (ATCs} funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism The same cohort was interviewed in previous follow ups at 6 months and 18 months, and has been the subject of other research, including an earlier Rand study. At 4 years, information was obtained from 85 percent of the target sample. In addition to extensive interviews, the 4-year follow up data base included psychological tests, self reported psychiatric and medical information, measures of blood alcohol concentration, validation interviews with subject collaterals, and officially recorded causes of death for deceased subjects. Although all subjects had some contact with a treatment facility, the study was not an experimental evaluation of competing treatment methods. Rather, the principal objective was to trace the natural sequence of events, including treatment, in the course of alcoholism.

"The more we meditate on the Medicine Wheel and on the Cosmic Wheel above, relating these to the circles, spheres, and mandalas of other traditions, the deeper our realization grows of the oneness of the many paths leading to the Center." Although Evelyn Eaton walked principally the Native Indian path, this book reflects her belief in the strength and beauty of all religious traditions. This is the personal account of her triumph over cancer through Native American healing rituals. Of white and Native American ancestry, Eaton was a Metis Medicine Woman.

Stigma can have a huge impact on the lives of people living with mental illness. That needs to change, but how can we make it happen? A Brief History of Stigma explores the past and present of stigma to give a solid basis to examine strategies to reduce stigma and critically evaluate their effectiveness. It also incorporates the author's experiences as a former mental health nurse living with a chronic mental illness. The book is divided into three parts. Part I explores what exactly stigma is, including relevant sociological theory and common stereotypes. Part II looks at some of the contexts in which stigma can occur, including the media and health care. Part III explores different stigma reduction strategies and what the research has to say about their effectiveness. You'll likely be surprised to learn how ineffective certain commonly used strategies are when it comes to changing public attitudes. This book is for anyone who's interested in understanding stigma and making the world a better place for people with mental illness. Together, we can create positive change!

The first of its kind, this guidebook provides an overview of clinical holistic interventions for mental-health practitioners. Submissions from 21 contributors examine the validity of different methods and provide information on credentialed training and licensure requirements necessary for legal and ethical practice. Chapters covering a range of healing modalities describe the populations and disorders for which the intervention is most effective, as well as the risks involved, and present research on the effectiveness of treatment, with step-by-step sample clinical sessions.

"Mental Health Care for Urban Indians: Clinical Insights From Native Practitioners is the first clinical book written by American Indian scholars working in Indian communities. This groundbreaking volume provides the reader with a basic understanding of the historical impact of colonization, the ensuing results of urban migration and boarding schools, and the effects that these events have had on the Native community. These lingering effects include a lack of cultural identity, a loss of tradition, and a sense of isolation that may lead to violence, alcoholism, and risky behaviors. Chapter authors acknowledge this history while developing culturally sensitive practice recommendations that incorporate traditional healing methods. This will be an invaluable resource for psychologists and other helping professionals who work with Native clients"--Jacket. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)