Question

14 y/o Native American girl with visions of elder spirits who appear and give her advice. Parents feel visions are gift but are worried about the child's preoccupations interfering with schoolwork. No h/o mental d/o or substance abuse. Treatment goal:

Answer 1

The treatment goal should balance the cultural significance of the girl's visions with her well-being and school performance, involving a culturally sensitive, multidisciplinary approach that respects her indigenous heritage.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of this question, the treatment goal would likely involve finding a balance between respecting the cultural significance of the 14-year-old Native American girl's visions and ensuring her overall well-being and ability to thrive in school. Considering the cultural importance of dreams and visions in many indigenous cultures, such as the Ojibwa, where dreams are seen as spiritual communications, it's crucial to approach the situation with cultural sensitivity. In the Ojibwa tradition, visions might guide a young person in various aspects of life, and individuals are taught how to interpret these dreams without external discussions. This is profoundly cultural and recognizing the meaning behind visions or dreams can be significant for Native American youths, much like the practice among the Chukchi shamans, or the Navajo Kinaaldá ceremony that marks a girl's coming of age. A multidisciplinary approach involving consultation with tribal elders and mental health professionals acquainted with cultural practices may help. The focus would be on ensuring the visions do not negatively impact her daily functionality, particularly her performance in school, while still honoring her cultural heritage and the perspective of her visions as a gift.