Pacific counsellors' use of indigenous values, proverbs, metaphors, symbols and stories in their counselling practices

Abstract

This article reports some of the findings from a qualitative study, undertaken by the first author, to investigate the use of indigenous values, proverbs, metaphors, symbols, and stories in the therapeutic practices of experienced Pacific counsellors and psychotherapists. Incorporating both talanoa and grounded theory methodologies, the study aimed to give Pacific counsellors a voice in order to inform the development of counselling practice by both Pacific and nonPacific practitioners who work with Pacific clients. Individual interviews were conducted with four female Pacific practitioners, three of whom were Islandborn and one New Zealand-born. All had completed their professional counselling training in New Zealand. Rich information was obtained about the ways in which participants incorporated a range of indigenous values, proverbs, metaphors, symbols, and stories in their counselling practices. This article foregrounds the voices of the participants in describing their sources of these verbal treasures, which included their parents, Pacific elders (matua), and their spirituality. Participants also tell stories of their use of indigenous values, concepts, and metaphors, and the ways that these have helped establish connections with clients and have supported their change processes and wellbeing. A future article will present the counselling model that has been developed from the results of this study and discuss the creative potential for interweaving indigenous Pacific and Western approaches.