In the Pause and Listening to the Little People

Abstract

This article employs a qualitative case study approach to describe the views and perspectives of a folk healer (White Bear) regarding spiritual healing. White Bear argues for a mobile, in-the-moment form of diagnosis and a “pause,” in which the mind ceases to tyrannize and the healer is no longer absorbed in his or her emotions. He contends that a healer can benefit from aligning with spirits (he calls them Little People) who can help achieve the necessary states of anonymity and nonjudgment required for healing work. Throughout the study, theoretical and empirical findings in the field of psychology are cited in an effort to support or question rather than validate or invalidate White Bear’s mystical wisdom.

Decolonization as methodological innovation in counseling psychology: Method, power, and process in reclaiming American Indian therapeutic traditions.

“…Scholarly interest in AI life narratives is also wellestablished, albeit primarily outside of psychology (e.g., anthropology, history) and therefore with limited connection to counseling. Nevertheless, some scholars have obtained AI life narratives with special relevance for professional psychology: Mohatt and Eagle Elk (2002), Robbins, Hong, andJennings (2012), andHightower andBerry (2018) all exemplify collaboratively authored publications that draw on the life and times of AI healers for considering Indigenous therapeutic traditions as these intersect with counseling and psychotherapy. Each entailed the forming of enduring relationships between psychologists and healers that facilitated the sharing of significant life stories for publication in the discipline.…”

Ideals of counseling practice: Therapeutic insights from an Indigenous first nations-controlled treatment program.

“…Programs aiming to improve mental health and well-being for Indigenous populations should include deep appreciation of cultural strengths while recognizing opportunities to incorporate mainstream elements with demonstrated benefit in pragmatic fashion. Indeed, Indigenous counseling psychologists have considered such integrative efforts for some time (Dauphinais et al, 1981; Robbins et al, 2012).…”

Exploring Indigenous Language and Psychological Health Among Kickapoo Tribe Bilingual Individuals

“…It is not known what was occurring internally during these pauses. Therapists would benefit from being aware that this pause may characterize counseling interactions and consequently give ample time for Indigenous clients to respond to questions (Robbins et al, 2011), as the client may be thinking through their response in their Tribal language before responding in English (Dewaele, 2004, 2004b, 2006, 2008, 2010; Pavlenko, 2005). Therapists may further ask their clients to respond in their Tribal language before translating it into English.…”