A psychologist from New Mexico is working to liberate indigenous peoples from past traumas.
Dr. Eduardo Duran is developing what he calls "liberation psychology" as part of an effort in implementing aboriginal and indigenous healing into addictions treatment. Duran says liberation psychology looks to show patients their addiction is not the result of being a broken or damaged person, but rather past traumas has resulted in the adverse behaviour.
"By knowing that, it liberates the person to heal themselves," he says. "If you think you're defective, there's nowhere to start. But if you know this is something from the outside that's impacting you, then you can do something about it."
Duran says this is particularly important for the indigenous community. He uses the example of residential schools as just one of the past traumas that led to other issues later on.
"Identity was removed. Basically the task of liberation psychology is to restore the aboriginal identity, so that the person can feel they can do something about it as they are now."
Duran was a guest speaker at the CK Community Health Centre's Addictions Awareness Conference.