We see culture as a vast tapestry of beliefs, practices, and expressions that shape our clients’ collective identity. It’s a multifaceted concept that influences how we interact with the world, guiding our social interactions and artistic expression. At its core, culture reflects our shared experiences and traditions, providing a framework for understanding and navigating life.
Individual and Cultural Influence
To us, culture is more than just customs and traditions—it’s a lens through which we interpret and engage with the world. We contribute to shaping culture through our actions, beliefs, and interactions with others. Similarly, culture shapes our identity and behaviour, influencing everything from personal values to societal roles.
Healing is a process. It is about becoming well again, alleviating the pain of loss or grief through the power of the mind and body. It is the process of integrating forces that restore, transform and nurture us. We also believe that true healing can only be done when it is shared with another, through a mourning process. Mourning is the process of expressing one’s grief outside of oneself, in a shared or collective manner. IIt is only through mourning, the collective expression and acknowledgement of grief, that true healing of emotional distress can be realised. And it is our culture that gives us the ways to collectively mourn, and heal.
Influences on Culture and Subcultures
Our culture is shaped by a myriad of influences, including historical events, geographical location, and socioeconomic factors. These factors give rise to diverse subcultures within our larger cultural framework, each with its own unique rituals, practices, and norms. From traditional ceremonies to modern customs, rituals and practices play a significant role in defining and preserving our cultural identity. These rituals and practices give us the customs, skills, rules and stories to express our emotions in a healthy, tried and true environment.
Protective Nature of Cultural Healing
Cultural healing provides us with a sense of belonging and security within our communities. It offers a safe space where we can explore and express our emotions, drawing on cultural practices and beliefs to navigate difficult experiences. By incorporating healing practices within our cultural understanding, we find comfort and support in familiar traditions and rituals. We also give space to honour what has been lost, foster empathy and care for each other, to rebuild relationships, and to rekindle the ties that bring community together.
Role of Movement in Cultural Healing
Movement, in various forms such as dance, song, and music, plays a central role in many of our cultural healing practices. These expressive arts serve as outlets for our emotions and facilitate healing on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. While some cultures may emphasize individual expression through movement, others prioritise community-based rituals that promote unity and collective healing.
Bridging Inner and Outer Experiences
We often experience a disconnect between our inner thoughts and feelings and the external expectations of our cultural upbringing. Cultural-informed healing practices aim to bridge this gap by validating and integrating both our inner and outer experiences. By honouring cultural traditions while acknowledging individual needs, practitioners can create holistic healing experiences that resonate with us on a deep level.
Reflecting Cultural Healing Practices
Cultural healing practices are interconnected and can inform each other across different cultures. As we grow and develop, we absorb and internalise these practices, shaping our understanding of healing and well-being. By exposing us to diverse cultural healing traditions, caregivers can instil values of empathy, resilience, and cultural appreciation from a young age.
Transformative Power of Cultural Healing
Cultural healing possesses a transformative power that transcends boundaries of time and space. It blends theistic and scientific worldviews, drawing on ancient wisdom and modern research to address our holistic needs. While some cultural healing practices may evolve over time, others remain rooted in timeless traditions, providing us with a sense of continuity and connection to ancestral knowledge.
What this means at Transform Together
Practitioners in grief and trauma counselling tap into the transformative power of cultural healing while remaining intersectional, inclusive, and sensitive to diverse cultural perspectives. We do this by incorporating cultural healing practices into our therapeutic approaches, we honour the unique experiences and beliefs of our clients, fostering healing and resilience in culturally relevant ways.
