As we commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I find myself reflecting on how nature has inherently guided my vision of the direction mental health care must take if we are to address the widespread disparities in access to competent, culturally relevant care. Last week, I had the privilege of attending a transformative presentation as part of Sheppard Pratt’s Professional Workshop Series—Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: An Indigenous Social Worker’s Perspective. The session, presented by Christopher Sharp, M.S.W., M.P.A., a citizen of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (Mohave Tribe), was truly thought-provoking and inspiring. Mr. Sharp’s insights on integrating Indigenous Ways of Knowing into our work as mental health practitioners resonated deeply with me, aligning with my ongoing efforts to decolonize mental health and promote inclusive, culturally grounded practices.
Land Acknowledgement for the Greater Baltimore Area
Before delving into how these principles are shaping my practice, I want to acknowledge the land where I reside and work. The greater Baltimore area is located on the ancestral lands of the Piscataway Conoy, Nanticoke, and Susquehannock peoples. As I engage in the essential work of decolonizing mental health, I honor the enduring connection these Indigenous communities have to the land, past, present, and future. The children of these nations played where my children now play. Families and communities lived in harmony with nature, as this land was, and continues to be, their home.
I also acknowledge the history of colonialism, including coerced relocation, and recognize the lasting impacts it has on the descendants of these tribes. While my heritage is different, I honor the Indigenous wisdom and connectedness passed down through generations, which inspires me to approach my work and life with reciprocity. I commit to caring for the land through thoughtful stewardship and encourage visitors to do the same by nurturing the spaces that nurture us.
Let us reflect on the ancestors who tended to this land before us as we hope for our own descendants’ future. I invite you to learn more about the history of the land you call home at Native-Land.ca. For a child-friendly introduction to this history, consider resources like this video.
Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Mental Health
Christopher Sharp’s presentation reminded me of the rich traditions, values, and knowledge Indigenous communities have carried for generations—knowledge that stands in stark contrast to the Westernized, medicalized approaches that dominate much of our field. Mr. Sharp described Indigenous Ways of Knowing as holistic, relational, and deeply connected to land, community, and spirituality. He emphasized the importance of storytelling, ceremony, and community care in fostering healing, and these elements are ones I have already begun integrating into modern therapeutic practices.
Matrilineal Traditions and Healing
One often-overlooked aspect of Indigenous communities is their matrilineal social structures. In many Indigenous cultures, lineage, inheritance, and identity are passed down through the maternal line. Women are central figures in maintaining community cohesion, nurturing the next generation, and holding wisdom about healing and spirituality. This focus on women’s roles prioritizes collective well-being and community-based support—values I strive to incorporate into my work with mothers in the Flourish in Motherhood groups.
Interestingly, the idea for this model came to me through nurturing my own relationship with nature, a process that mirrors the interconnectedness and intuition fostered by Indigenous communities for generations.
In matrilineal societies, motherhood and caregiving are not just personal roles; they are seen as pivotal for the survival and flourishing of the entire community. In creating spaces for mothers to share their experiences and engage in communal healing, I aim to honor these values. These spaces enable mothers to view themselves not just as individuals seeking self-care, but as contributors to the well-being of their families, communities, and future generations.
1. Healing as a Community-Centered Practice
Traditional Western therapy often focuses on the individual, whereas Indigenous approaches emphasize healing within the context of community. Guided in Nature was founded with the intention of incorporating group-based and family-oriented sessions. Programs like the Flourish in Motherhood groups offer a space for mothers to connect, share, and support one another in their healing journeys. By fostering a sense of community, we shift the focus from individual pathology to collective well-being and mutual support—echoing the matrilineal emphasis on collective care.
2. Connection to Land and Nature
As a therapist trained in Nature-Informed Therapy, I have long embraced nature as a source of healing. However, Mr. Sharp’s emphasis on the sacred relationship Indigenous peoples have with the land has deepened my commitment. In my sessions, I encourage clients to build a reciprocal relationship with nature—treating the land not just as a backdrop for healing, but as an active participant in the process. Whether through walk-and-talk therapy, gardening, or mindfulness exercises rooted in nature, I help clients foster this connection in a way that honors Indigenous traditions.
Women’s roles in maintaining ecological balance and transmitting knowledge across generations further illustrate the intersection between matrilineal traditions and environmental stewardship. By creating nature-based spaces for healing, I aim to honor the Earth’s wisdom, much as Indigenous women have done for centuries.
3. Ceremony and Symbolism in Therapy
Indigenous cultures often incorporate ceremony and symbolism in their healing practices. Ceremonies offer a profound way to mark transitions, release emotions, or honor significant experiences. In my work, I have begun to introduce simple rituals that carry symbolic meaning—such as lighting a candle at the end of each session or offering a mindfulness practice that feels like a grounding ceremony. These elements help clients honor their emotional journeys in a way that transcends cognitive understanding and enters the realm of spirit and soul.
In Indigenous matrilineal communities, ceremonies frequently revolve around life transitions—birth, puberty, motherhood, and death—acknowledging the interconnectedness of life and the roles women play in guiding these transitions. In my groups, I emphasize these transitions, helping participants find grounding and recognition in the critical moments of their lives as mothers, healers, and nurturers.
4. Decolonizing Language and Approaches
Christopher Sharp’s presentation underscored the power of language in either reinforcing or dismantling systems of oppression. I am actively working to decolonize the language I use in therapy by moving away from pathologizing terms like “disorders” and instead reframing challenges as natural responses to trauma, environmental stressors, or systemic injustice. This shift encourages clients to view themselves not as “broken,” but as resilient individuals navigating complex circumstances.
The practices and language of Indigenous matrilineal societies reflect this holistic, relational approach, emphasizing healing in connection with others rather than isolation. Reframing mental health in terms of collective strength, interdependence, and resilience aligns with Indigenous worldviews that value the interconnectedness of all beings.
Looking Forward
Decolonizing the mental health space is a continuous journey, and I am learning and evolving every day. Indigenous Ways of Knowing provide a powerful lens through which we can reimagine mental health care—one that honors cultural diversity, community, and the healing power of nature. I am deeply grateful to Christopher Sharp and Indigenous communities for sharing their wisdom, and I will continue integrating these teachings into my practice.
As we honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I invite fellow mental health practitioners and community members to reflect on how we can incorporate these essential teachings into our work, creating a more just, inclusive, and holistic approach to mental health. By honoring the matrilineal traditions rooted in Indigenous communities, we can uplift the role of mothers, caregivers, and women as central to the healing process—for individuals, families, and the broader community.
