Chapter 10 Non-Western and Indigenous Methods of Healing Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (10)

Spirit Attacks: The Case of Vang Xiong Symptoms: Sleeplessness Saw spirits Shortness of breath Nightmares Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (10)

Shamanic Cure Ms. Thor—respected Shaman: Healing ceremony Chanted to contact spirits Cut a cloak in two and burned pieces Crawl through hoop & between two knives Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (10)

Legitimacy of Culture-Bound Syndromes Nightmare Deaths and the Hmong Sudden Death Phenomenon: Belief in spirit possession not uncommon in Southeast Asia Westerners may dismiss symptoms Working outside clients belief system may cause harm Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (10)

Causation and Spirit Possession Vang: His problems were due to spirits who were unhappy with him Good spirits served a protective function His parental spirits deserted him A shaman could heal and communicate with spirits Survivor guilt and PTSD Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (10)

The Shaman As Therapist: Commonalities Healers who comfort the sick Healer’s credibility is important Show compassion Avoid premature diagnosis Offering of the self as an instrument of the cure Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (10)

Principles of Indigenous Healing Reliance on the spiritual plane Universal Shamanic Tradition Communal, group, family networks, and elders important Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (10)

Holistic Outlook, Interconnectedness, and Harmony Minimal distinctions between mind, body, and spirit Collectivistic Interrelatedness of all life forms Problems not with individual, but disharmony within the group Yogic philosophy balance of body and mind Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (10)

Belief in Metaphysical Levels of Existence Near death experiences Asians focus more on enlightenment and ideal mental health Move to states of higher consciousness Espiritismo (spiritism) Vision quest or sweat lodge Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (10)

Spirituality in Life and the Cosmos Native Americans: All things are connected no difference between science and religion African Americans: Rely on church communities Connection to the spirit Singing in choirs Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (10)

Implications for Social Work Practice Do not invalidate indigenous cultural belief systems Become knowledgeable about indigenous healing practices To learn requires a lived reality Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (10)

Implications for Social Work Practice (Cont’d) Avoid overpathologizing Consult traditional healers Spirituality is important Expand your role to community work Multicultural Social Work Practice – Chapter (10)