The Healing Power of Native American Culture

Efforts to reduce health disparities often overlook American Indian and Alaska Native people. The field of psychology needs to work towards developing treatment approaches based on Native American values and worldviews and implement culturally sensitive assessment tools to avoid misdiagnosing Native American patients. This article focuses on the psychological and physiological health disparities in Native American communities while pinpointing some limitations of the Western models of treatment in addressing mental health issues in American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Copyright 2023.

After reading the CE Corner article, you will be asked to complete a “Commitment-to-Change” (CTC) exercise. The CTC exercise is designed to help facilitate the translation of your learning into practice. Completion of the CTC is required prior to the completion of the CE Test based on the APA Monitor CE Corner article series.

This product is not included in the APA Unlimited CE program.

New York state psychologists: This program is not currently in compliance with the unique requirements imposed by the New York State Board of Education for New York licensed psychologists CE.

• Identify psychological and physiological health disparities in Native American communities.
• Discuss limitations of the Western models of treatment in addressing mental health issues in American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
• Describe how to embrace Native American values, customs, and beliefs in research and clinical settings.

Heather Stringer

The CE Corner programs are in collaboration with the APA Monitor on Psychology Office.