Category: Shamanism

• Just Therapy Revisited

  Just Therapies acknowledge the hardships created by unfair, or unjust, cultural practices. They also encourage clients to create a life that is meaningful, even in the face of brutal social realities. Arising from Indigenous experience, and generalized to marginalized persons everywhere, Just Therapy seeks to be both visionary and good medicine.

  Michael Watson PhD

  March 5, 2011

  First Nations, Psychotherapy, Shamanism

  depresion, Just Therapy, social justice, visionary experience, visions

• Ceremonies of Renewal

  Today is one of those spectacular late winter days, where the sun sits high in the southern sky, just in the treetops, and light snow falls in large flakes. There is enough light through the thin clouds to cast shadows across the snow covered landscape. The seed in the bird feeder dwindles steadily as the…

  Michael Watson PhD

  February 27, 2011

  First Nations, Healing, Other Subjects, Psychotherapy, Shamanism

  ceremony, Family Therapy, Inuit Shamanism and Christianity

• The Promise of Renewal

  Of course, we must take care of ourselves while we wait. Often we are called to speak our truths in the face of short sightedness, or even evil. Sometimes we must hide; occasionally, we must flee. Each of these acts requires courage, disciple, and self-forgiveness. Seldom do we know for sure which is the right…

  Michael Watson PhD

  February 22, 2011

  Healing, Psychotherapy, Shamanism

  hope, risk, spring, trauma

• Healing in It’s Own Time

  So, I join with families to mine their histories for stories of resistance, generosity, and valor. Together, we build new histories of love, resilience, and caring. We may also create rituals, perform ceremonies, and dream together about that which was lost and may be found again. Such is the stuff of healing; may it sooth…

  Michael Watson PhD

  February 15, 2011

  First Nations, Healing, native american, Psychotherapy, Shamanism

  addiction, alcohol abuse, ceremony, drug abuse, Family Therapy, healing ritual, Narrative Therapy, sexual abuse, violence