23 Complimentary And Alternative Medicines

Culturally Based Healing Arts: Native American Traditional Practices and Cuentos

The Indian Health Service programs employ ceremonial dances, chants, and cleansing rituals to heal depression, stress, and substance abuse. It can be considered a combination of expressive therapy and pastoral counseling rooted in Native American tradition. Cuentos originated in Puerto Rico and is based on folktales. This method uses stories containing healing themes and models of behavior to help someone through their struggle. It is primarily used to help children recover from depression and other mental health problems which may surface when they leave their homeland and face difficulties when adapting to life in a foreign culture.