Land-based cultural programmes

Domain V · Systemic, relational, group & community

What it is

Land-based cultural programmes are not one therapy. They are a family of community-owned programmes: culture and language camps, on-the-land treatment and aftercare, youth "back to Country" trips, seasonal harvesting programmes and Elder-governed cultural therapy. Each one belongs to a particular…

Format

• Formats: group, peer-based or family-centred, with one-to-one counselling, journaling or reflection time for individuals.
• Form an operational group to share lessons learned.

Who practises it, and how they are trained or regulated

• Develop workforce standards and training.

Questions to explore with your client

• What drew you to it, and what are you hoping it will change?
• Is there physical contact? Was it explained beforehand, and do you feel free to say no or stop at any point?
• Does it involve any substance, plant preparation, remedy or supplement? Has your doctor or prescriber been told, especially about any medication you take?
• Is it a group, retreat or community? How do they respond if someone wants to leave or raises a concern?
• How do you and the practitioner understand what is happening, in spiritual or cultural terms? Is that a source of comfort, worry, or both?
• Who runs it, and what training or registration do they hold?
• What actually happens in a session or meeting, and how often?
• What does it cost, and is there pressure to commit to more?
• How do you feel afterwards, in the hours and days that follow?
• Does it fit with, or clash with, the work we do here?

What practitioners of it watch for

• overload on peer staff who are themselves in recovery.
• outsiders writing content, which the manual says "missed the mark".
• objects with cultural significance, which should not be interpreted clinically.
• the client feeling they must share restricted knowledge. Remind them they need not.
• signs it is working include the client taking on roles in the community or with rangers.

When to involve someone else

• New or worsening physical symptoms, or advice to stop or change prescribed medication: involve the client's doctor or prescriber.
• Signs of coercion, isolation from family and friends, escalating costs or secrecy: discuss openly and consider safeguarding.
• A crisis or thoughts of suicide: follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.

Drawn automatically from the guide's own sections. Stay curious: neither endorse nor dismiss what the client values, and check anything that matters against the full guide and its sources. Not medical advice.