A braided approach within a mainstream counselling organization

Abstract

Indigenous people in Canada have experienced a complicated history that includes forced colonization, segregation, and forced assimilation tactics imposed on them by the Canadian government. As a result, Indigenous people today suffer from complex mental health needs and require a unique therapeutic approach. This final practicum report focuses on a braided approach in a therapeutic setting, which involved gaining knowledge around mainstream healing practices and Indigenous healing practices and learning to delicately braid them together to produce a unique healing approach that could be applied with Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients. Through my practicum at Family TLC, I set out to observe how braided approaches could be implemented into a mainstream therapeutic organization. Furthermore, it was essential for me to critically reflect on how my understanding of my social location would evolve throughout my practicum which was a secondary objective. The last objective reflected in this final paper, is regarding the use of a braided healing approach with non-Indigenous clients and their perception on their therapeutic healing journey. Finally, I have included reflections on the practicum site, the support within the organizations, barriers and challenges experienced, and a future within the organization.