Sitting with Aboriginal Clients: Context and Strategies

This course was created on the basis of interviews with expert informants in order to help non-Aboriginal counsellors become more effective at working with Aboriginal clients. Both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health providers and others who have significant experience with Aboriginal clients offered their insights on topics that affect counselling outcomes. The course explores the differences in world view between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples; the macro-level issues which, often unconsciously, impact on counselling outcomes; the supreme importance of relationship to Aboriginal peoples; and strategies for dealing with the language and communication style differences that would otherwise impede client engagement.