The Native American sweat lodge ceremony or sweat therapy is being used increasingly in various medical, mental health, correctional, and substance abuse treatment centers serving both Native and non-Native clients. This article explores the sweat lodge ceremony's background, elements of Native American spirituality, origin story, cultural…

This article provides group counselors a description of Ayeli, a culturally-based centering technique rooted in Native American traditions. Ayeli is a process that allows participants an opportunity to experience and reflect on four crucial elements relevant to wellness from a Native American perspective: belonging, mastery, independence, and…

A comprehensive discussion of counseling Native adults is presented through historical overview, demographics, and exploration of Native culture. Implications for counseling Native adults are offered with humanistic emphasis on identity; humor; cultural considerations; career planning; proactive practice; creating trust; and practical…

Presents a centering technique called "Ayeli," based on Cherokee spiritual traditions as a way of incorporating spirituality into counseling by helping clients identify where they are in their journey, where they want to be, and how they can get there. Relevant Native cultural traditions and meanings are explored. (Contains 25…

The cultural world of the Two Spirit, the traditional role of Native individuals believed to possess both male and female spirit, is explored in both "old ways" and current-day experiences. Cultural beliefs and meanings around sexual identity are discussed from a Native perspective with recommendations for counseling Two Spirit clients.…

Discusses the significance of the circle from a Native American perspective as a symbol of and framework for group process. Describes inner circle/outer circle, a group technique based on Native healing ceremonies, in terms of both content and process. Considers adaptations of this group technique and outlines implications for group practice by…

Discusses effects of acculturation on American Indian youth in terms of bicultural competence and identity development. The narrative or life-story of a Cherokee elder who is both mainstream physician and traditional medicine man elaborates on the traditional Indian approach to "learning the Medicine," and is divided according to five…

The Rule of Opposites offers a worldview that helps both the counselor and the Native-American client to recognize and resolve conflict, to ask more effective questions, to seek harmony and balance in life for greater purpose and direction, and to explore personal decision making and choices. (LSR)

Explores Native American concepts and meanings surrounding relationships involving elders, children, leadership, spirituality, and other issues. Concentrates on Native American traditionalism as it relates to the informal education of Native American children and provides an alternative educational approach based on certain universal humanistic…