Understanding Indigenous Perspectives

Understanding Indigenous Perspectives: Visions, Dreams, and Hallucinations helps future and practicing mental health professionals build the vital cultural competencies needed to differentiate between cultural practice and the presence of psychopathology in practice. The book discusses and explores the differences among visions, dreams, and hallucinations from an American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawai’ian perspective.

Each chapter first presents information within the context of culture and then transitions to present information within the context of diagnoses and neurobiology. Throughout, cultural practices are discussed as normative, increasing readers’ understanding of diverse populations and their rich heritages. Dedicated chapters explore American Indian psychology, worldviews, and spirituality; ethical and cultural considerations; the inclusion of cultural context within the DSM-5; the neurobiology of hallucinations; and competent discernment. The book includes valuable case studies that breathe life and humanity into a clinically challenging topic.

Understanding Indigenous Perspectives is part of the Cognella Series on Advances in Culture, Race, and Ethnicity. The series, co-sponsored by Division 45 of the American Psychological Association, addresses critical and emerging issues within culture, race, and ethnic studies, as well as specific topics among key ethnocultural groups.