Ethical Issues in Counseling and Suicide Assessment With a Native American Population

Native American clients represent a real challenge to psychologists due to diverse tribal belief systems, orientation to the world at large & to healing, & to individual assimilation into the larger culture. As an example of the implications of cultural disparity in therapy, the assessment of suicidality is discussed by the author. Barker says the factors normally focussed on in assessment may be compromised by “Indian” variables, e.g. a younger at-risk population & the prevalence of alcohol.