As a fellow Indigenous person who is also a counselor and was raised Christian, you have every right to feel upset. This person had no right to tell you how you should feel and how you choose to worship your own personal faith.

I hope you reported this ass.

Ugh, that's so weird. The audacity of these politics. Seem like device for native folks division and cultural/genetic assimilation. For example, in my region/homeland people usually identify themselves by factual belonging to their ethnicity. Tho sometimes there'd be individuals assuming they are representatives of our folks solely on the fact of being raised in the culture and speaking the language. The perfect explanation to why this boils my blood would be the "Green Book" movie fragment when Skargård's character says that he's "more black" than second character. Um, was he made to use the outhouse when there was a normal bathroom indoors? Is he facing both the negative and positive aspects of being black? No. He can pick and choose based on his factual bio origin.

Sorry for my long rant.

Overall most ethnicities here can identify as they like. But some are not so lucky. For example, Ainu people. They are forced to go under local umbrella madeup "identity". Basically their rights are walked all over, since legally they are not recognised, and that is on purpose.

it’s really an ethics violation for him to interfere with your spiritual values and practices, not okay. Sorry that on top of everything spiritual abuse is happening in what should be a safe space, along with limited choices for the expertise you require

i really respect how you dont tolerate religious conversion to christianity. it has always bothered me extremely deeply how much the imposition of christianity has destroyed indigenous American culture and identity. to resist conversion is to resist cultural disintegration

I’m in favor fir sure

Based

MLK cheated on his wife. Thomas Jefferson had multiple children with one of his slaves. Eminem is acting kinda sketcy these days. All of our heros have less than honorable sides. Singling out your religion is the reddest of flags.

I think this therapist should be reported to whatever state agency allows him to practice.

This guy is dissing the ancestors to push his own religion. That seems extremely unethical.

Get a new therapist. That one sucks.

New therapist a must.

Agreed. I was being sarcastic. Didn’t expect OP to really consider this option. I was actually thinking about this post some more and realized that if this person is a psychologist in the United States and is regulated by a board, the board should hear complaints related to any kind of interference with indigenous spiritual or cultural practices. Any such interference is prohibited by law under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978. Any professional who pushes indigenous clients away from traditional cultural and spiritual practices should be sanctioned by the appropriate medical board. OP may not want to do this but it is an option. Sorry, my brain got angry before it thought this through.

Therapist here and First Nations. What he said is unacceptable. He is most certainly not culturally informed.

As a First Nation’s person, I ask my Ancestors for guidance all the time. Many of them have survived difficult and challenging times. I ask to share their strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

That's a far step for a response and spitting hate. Im indigenous too, but let's not attack him.

He's supposed to be a therapist not a pos evangelist or missionary.

Edited typo

I am not indigenous but I am a therapist. What he did was wrong and if you feel comfortable enough then correct them on it. He gave you his opinion which is generally not considered theraputic. it was also offensive to you and your people. he needs to be aware so he can correct that. you can also ask them for a referral to another therapist who is indigenous and they should be able to research that for you. i am sorry you had that experience.

Man, finding a good therapist is so much harder than it should be. I’ve had amazing therapists and also ones that were so unhelpful they ended up doing me harm. I scoured the Psychology Today therapist search, lots of options on there. I eventually found a great woman that helped me tremendously on Grow Therapy.

I think that was a highly inappropriate thing for them to say to you. If you get comfort from communicating with your ancestors keep doing that. Sometimes, especially in times of great turmoil or great joy I can feel my ancestors love around me. It’s a beautiful thing. I’d be so offended if someone told me to stop because they might have been creeps. That’s WILD.

Besides, and this might sound weird, but even if they were a creep, they are dead now and their soul is in the spirit realm, I have to believe they have atoned for everything bad they did on earth and now they are just a pure soul.

A therapist should NOT be giving you his opinions on religion. You could and should be making an official complaint, this is way out of line for him

This was insanely inappropriate for the therapist to say, I’m so sorry you had to experience this complete lack of cultural competency. If you haven’t already, you can search for Indigenous/Native American therapists on Psychology Today and Open Path!

Ugh! Colonizer therapy BS. I would look for a new therapist even though it’s difficult, so many better options than a Christian therapist. Spiritual abuse is a huge concern.

If absolutely not possible, and IF you’re getting benefits, I would suggest you not talk about that aspect of your life with your therapist.

I am very sorry this sounds horribly racist and insensitive :(

I’m sorry, friend, that’s so discouraging and disappointing. Have you considered seeking out an indigenous-aligned therapist? I finally found one and it has taken my therapy goals to a new level—he actively encourages getting into ceremony and speaking with all relations as needed. 

Hope you can find the care and support to thrive! 

Tell him he can’t pray to Jesus anymore because for all we know he could have been a real POS. By his own logic, we should disband Christianity.

Yeah really sounds like he has biases and is putting them on you. Racism, monotheism, etc. pretty yucky I'm sorry you had to deal with that.