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Because Native Americans in general may be doubtful of the effectiveness of therapy, the main goal at first is to instill trust. To do this, Dr. Simms recommends that the therapist be client-centered: The client needs to know that his or her story is valuable and will be heard. To this end, the therapist might look at therapy in a slightly different way, as a gift exchange, where the client gives his or her story, and the therapist gives the gift of listening.
However, therapists should be prepared to share more of themselves with Native Americans: Being willing to reveal your family background and heritage will let Native American clients know that you are interested in their background and in their heritage. This is true whether the therapist is Native or non-Native American.
The therapist should also be aware of the impact of the dominant culture on Native American culture. Native Americans have a history of being displaced by the dominant European American culture, and the dominant culture continues to have an effect on Native culture. Being sensitive to these issues, even if they only lie in the background of the client's story, is important, especially if the therapist is of European American background.
The most important part of therapy with Native Americans is being willing to listen. Truly listening and understanding may require immersion in the culture. Dr. Simms recommends that non-Native therapists looking to work with Native American clients first become familiar with Native American history and culture. Being open and curious, and having a true desire to understand, will help the therapist to learn about the culture, and ultimately will aid in any therapeutic work with Native Americans.
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