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Crystalizing the Role of Traditional Healing in an Urban Native American Health Center

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Abstract

A needs assessment surveying American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIs/ANs) at an AI/AN health center in the Midwestern United States was conducted, with an emphasis on traditional Native healing. Data from this study included qualitative material from interviews of community members (N = 27; age 12–82) and service providers (N = 11; age 26–70). Respondents emphasized the path to wellness includes physical, spiritual and mental health and that traditional healing can restore various imbalances. Furthermore, traditional healing was considered a complement to Western medicine. Third, traditional medicine as a tool in healthcare settings was conceptualized on a continuum.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the members of the urban American Indian and Alaska Native community who willingly participated in the collection of data for this project, especially the Advisory Council. We also thank the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) who funded this project under the Circles of Care Initiative. We thank the Circles of Care Project Team: Jerilyn L. Church, Cecilia LaPointe, Terry D. Lerma, Elizabeth Chapleski, Debbie Tauiliili, John Marcus, Tina Louise, Nickole Fox, Amelia Mueller-Williams and Mona Stonefish.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gambling Studies Program, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), 760 Westwood Plaza, Suite 38-181, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA

    Jacquelene F. Moghaddam & Timothy W. Fong

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, 1012 East Hall, 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1043, USA

    Jacquelene F. Moghaddam

  3. University of Michigan School of Social Work, Room 2374, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Sandra L. Momper

Authors
  1. Jacquelene F. Moghaddam
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  2. Sandra L. Momper
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  3. Timothy W. Fong
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Correspondence to Jacquelene F. Moghaddam.

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Moghaddam, J.F., Momper, S.L. & W. Fong, T. Crystalizing the Role of Traditional Healing in an Urban Native American Health Center. Community Ment Health J 51, 305–314 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-014-9813-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-014-9813-9

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