Indigenous Psychology
Honoring Ancient Wisdom in a New Era of Psychology
In August 2025, the American Psychological Association took a historic step voting to reconcile Traditional Wisdom and Psychological Science. With 78% of the Council of Representatives in support, this landmark policy formally acknowledges the parity of Indigenous and other traditional paradigms derived from non-dominant worldviews with dominant paradigms and calls for their integration in understanding human behavior and wellbeing. This long-awaited shift acknowledges what many communities have always known: that healing, knowledge, and wellbeing arise from many lineages, lands, and ways of knowing.
Hear more about INDIGENOUS PSYCHOLOGY in these videos with guiding teacher, Dr. LESLIE GRAY.
Program Overview
This four-part, four-season seminar will serve as an introduction to Indigenous psychology both from an Indigenous point of view and in cross-cultural comparison. It will begin with a broad perspective, examining the role of Indigenous psychology in human evolution. It will feature examples that reveal universalities in the evolution of consciousness while respecting that which is culture-specific. The teaching method will be didactic, narrative and experiential.
Participants can expect to take away a thorough understanding of the ways that the worldview, the model of health, and the values of Indigenous cultures compare and contrast with those of organized nation-states. We will look at the contemporary application of Indigenous psychology to individual, group and environmental problem-solving through narratives, case studies, case consultations and eco-psychological vignettes. Additionally, over the course of the seminar, deep reflection will be encouraged on the four perennial, existential questions: “Who are we?”, “Where are we?”,” What are we doing?”, and “Who’s going to clean up?”.
Who is this program for?
This program will be of deep value to anyone interested in personal development. It will also be a unique source of highly relevant education for healers and mental health care providers.
Please email info@braidedwisdom.org with any questions.
Continuing Education Hours
CE for this series is offered as separate programs by two different APA-approved sponsors. No session is co-sponsored by both sponsors, and no session is credited by both. Each program has its own attendance requirements, evaluations, and certificates.
SCA Program: Sessions 1–8
Dates: March 14 – October 10, 2026
Sponsor: Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA)
Structure: One program
Credit: 18 CE
Attendance: At least 6 full sessions. Cannot be 15 minutes late, or leave 15 minutes early.
Mindful CECs Programs:
Sessions 9–12
Dates: November 14, 2026 – February 13, 2027
Sponsor: Mindful CECs
Structure: Four separately credited sessions
Credit: Up to 12 CE. 3 CE credits/contact hours per session attended in full
Attendance: Full attendance at each session
SCA Program: Sessions 1–8
March 14 – October 10, 2026
CE credits for psychologists are provided by the Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) which is co-sponsoring Sessions 1–8 . The Spiritual Competency Academy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for health professionals . Spiritual Competency Academy maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Mindful CECs has no role in Sessions 1–8.
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE credits for LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFT license renewal for programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association.
SCA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN Provider CEP16887) for licensed nurses in California. RNs must retain their certificate of attendance for 4 years after the course concludes.
For questions about receiving your Certificate of Attendance, contact Braided Wisdom at info@braidedwisdom.org. For questions about CE, contact Spiritual Competency Academy at info@spiritualcompetencyacademy.com until December 1, 2026.
Learning objectives (Sessions 1–8):
Describe and discuss the key categories of Indigenous Psychology
Describe the deep structural designs in Indigenous healing/curing
Write about the healing practices of Indigenous cultures in an appropriately respectful way
Compare and contrast Indigenous Psychology with Western and Eastern Psychology
Discuss “hands on” psychological practices of different Indigenous cultures
Explain the role of Indigenous Psychology in the evolution of consciousness
Describe and elucidate the key features of Indigenous worldview
Discuss the Indigenous model of health in contrast with other models
Compare and contrast Indigenous values with technological values
Analyze the dynamics operating in traditional healing
Apply insights from narratives of Indigenous shamans to Western psychotherapy
Explain Indigenous psycho-biological techniques of "intrusion" and "extraction"
Questions about CE for Sessions 1–8: info@spiritualcompetencyacademy.com until December 1, 2026.
Participants have until December 1, 2026 to receive their certificate for sessions 1-8.
Mindful CECs Programs: Sessions 9–12
November 14, 2026 – February 13, 2027
Mindful CECs sponsors Sessions 9–12 only. SCA has no role in these sessions.
Each session is credited separately and has its own certificate. Credit is awarded only for attending a session in full. There is no partial credit and no minimum number of sessions, so you may earn credit for any or all of the four sessions.
Each of the 4 sessions is introductory level and offers 3 CE credits/contact hours.
Session 9: The Art and Practice of Indigenous Psychology
November 14 - 3 CE credits/contact hours
This class will examine basic principles of Indigenous psychology and will compare traditional and contemporary Indigenous therapeutics.
Participants will be able to:
Analyze the dynamics operating in classical Indigenous curing ceremonies.
Discuss case studies from contemporary blends of Western and Indigenous psychology and examples of their application in clinic and hospital settings.
Session 10: The Roots of Ecopsychology
December 12 - 3 CE credits/contact hours
This class will examine the roots of ecopsychology in the kinship worldview of Indigenous societies.
Participants will be able to:
Compare the worldview, model of health and values that underlie Indigenous psychology with those of organized nation states.
Describe how Indigenous kinship worldviews inform ecopsychology and land-based interventions.
Session 11: The Social Psychology of Indigeneity
January 16 - 3 CE credits/contact hours
This class will examine identity in traditional and urban Indigenous cultures as well as social relationships within their social and governmental structures.
Participants will be able to:
Identify four primary themes in Indigenous psychologists’ critiques of the field of psychology.
Describe the impact of colonialism on the psychological wellbeing of Indigenous individuals and communities.
Session 12: Indigenous Brilliance and Technological Foresight
February 13 - 3 CE credits/contact hours
This class will highlight the forward-thinking nature of traditional systems. It will examine the historical definition and evaluation of intelligence in Western psychology and uncover contributions of Indigenous thought.
Participants will be able to:
Describe Indigenous conceptions of knowledge, and their implications for culturally responsive assessment and treatment of Indigenous clients.
Identify approaches to addressing social disconnection and intergenerational trauma from an Indigenous perspective.
Continuing Education Provider Information and Policies:
These programs are applicable for licensed and license-eligible mental health and health care professionals, including psychologists, social workers (LCSW, LSW), counselors (LPC, LCPC, LMHC), marriage and family therapists, nurses (RN, NP), chiropractors, and other health care professionals.
Continuing Education is sponsored by Mindful CECs. Mindful CECs is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Mindful CECs maintains responsibility for these programs and their content.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17985, for 3 contact hours per session.
Participants are responsible for determining whether these programs meet the CE requirements of their licensing board. Braided Wisdom does not confirm CE applicability for license types beyond the scope of Mindful CECs’ provider approvals.
Credit is awarded for instructional time only. One CE credit equals 60 minutes of instruction.
Attendance: full attendance at each session is required, and partial credit is not awarded. Attendance is verified by staff-monitored arrival and departure times recorded by Braided Wisdom’s Virtual Host.
Certificates: Participants who meet the attendance requirement receive their certificate through the Mindful CECs Student Platform once attendance is verified.
Conflict of interest: This instructor may have authored publications relevant to the subjects covered in this course, and may teach additional programs. The instructor might reference these publications and programs during the course, and may receive financial compensation if participants choose to purchase them.
Instructors disclose any commercial support and any relationship that could be seen as a conflict of interest. Braided Wisdom receives no commercial support for these CE programs.
Grievances: concerns about a CE program, including content, instructors, attendance decisions, or certificates, may be submitted in writing to Mindful CECs at info@mindfulcecs.com. Mindful CECs acknowledges each grievance and responds in writing within 30 business days.
Contacts: for registration, attendance, certificates, accommodations, and cancellation/refund terms, contact Braided Wisdom at info@braidedwisdom.org. For CE approvals and grievances, contact Mindful CECs at info@mindfulcecs.com.
Application Process
Thank you for your interest in Indigenous Psychology!
STEP 1: All participants must complete an application to be considered for the program by Thursday, March 12, 2026.
STEP 2: Your application will be reviewed and you will be notified by Friday, March 13, 2026, along with additional details on how to register.
STEP 3: Upon acceptance, you will have until Friday, March 13, 2026 to register and select your Reciprocity Contribution tier for the program.
Registration is now closed for Indigenous Psychology 2026. To receive updates for when the next program will be offered, please join our mailing list.
2026-2027
Schedule
Saturday Sessions from 1:00 - 4:00 pm PT
Online via Zoom
2026
March 14
April 4
May 9
June 13
July 11
August 8
September 19
October 10
November 14
December 12
2027
January 16
February 13
Reciprocity Contribution
As we look towards creating a restorative economy, one important way to ensure continued growth and engagement with our communities is establishing a practice of sacred reciprocity contribution. Reciprocity practice welcomes individuals to support the participation of others who may not have the same capacity. We recognize most mainstream events and programs like ours are priced at levels far out of reach for many in our community. As a result, we have made our events and programs accessible to all by inviting participants to enter into a relationship of sacred reciprocity to share support with others on the path.
Additionally, reciprocity practice helps ensure that our teachers and medicine elders are adequately compensated for their time and effort, supporting their long-term sustainability and livelihood. Working towards a restorative economy requires our intentional practice of addressing the systemic inequities that often result in income disparity for BIPOC teachers.
Our contribution tiers take these practices into account and we encourage you to consider your own circumstances. Understanding the challenging times, we trust you to attend to your needs and ask you to consider meeting yourself wherever you are financially, with the least amount of harm possible. Please consider contributing according to your ability and to the greatest extent that feels personally meaningful for your situation, with the benefit of others in mind.
Please select one of following tiers of contribution for this program:
Benefactor Tier: $1,400
The Benefactor Tier provides an opportunity for individuals with financial means to support access for those with limited resources, enabling broader participation and inclusivity.
Spiritual Friend Tier: $1,080
The Spiritual Friend Tier nurtures the sustainability of our program and is designed for individuals who are employed and able to comfortably support their financial well-being while contributing to our shared mission.
Community Builder Tier: $900
The Community Builder Tier offers a reduced rate for those facing moderate financial constraints or barriers. For example, if you are living on a fixed income, are a senior, a full-time student, or temporarily unemployed, this tier provides support to ensure your sustainability during these times.
Financial Support Self-Reflection:
Lastly, no one is turned away for lack of funds. Each program offers a limited number of spots available for those experiencing severe financial constraints or barriers. If you are navigating any of the circumstances shared in the financial support self-reflection below, you are welcome to reach out to Janet at janetr@braidedwisdom.org to set up a 15 minute meeting to discuss.
My financial situation requires me to live paycheck to paycheck, without a safety net or the option to rely on financially stable or wealthy family or friends for support. I currently do not own any property, nor do I possess investments, stocks, retirement accounts, savings, an emergency fund, or inherited funds. My income solely covers my basic daily needs, leaving no disposable income for additional savings, investments, outings, or entertainment.
I or a member of my immediate family is facing a health crisis that has significantly intensified the financial strain, making it even more difficult to meet our minimum daily needs. As a result, I/we frequently depend on community services and charities for essentials like food and clothing due to these financial constraints.
Thank you for your thoughtful reflection and consideration. We believe liberation is a collective path that thrives on meaningful relationships and mutual sustainability and sacred reciprocity. We appreciate your honest reflection and collaboration to expand these offerings to more beings in our community!
Refund Policy
If you’ve had a change of heart-mind and wish to withdraw from the program, we can issue:
a 100% refund if you cancel at least ten business days before the date of the first session in the series
a 50% refund if you cancel 7-9 business days before the date of the first session in the series
Unfortunately, we cannot issue any refunds if you cancel within six business days or less of the date of the first session in the series. If you wish to cancel your registration, please contact Janet at janetr@braidedwisdom.org.
Teacher
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Dr. Leslie Gray
FAQs
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None.
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No, Indigenous Psychology is open to all people with any cultural background or spiritual practices.
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No, you do not need to work in mental health or the healing arts to join Indigenous Psychology.
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Attendance is highly recommended as classes will not be recorded.
