Healing Seasons: Pathways to Our Heart, Mind, Body & Spirit is a research project extension of Sacred Journeys.  Built on an 8 year community based participatory partnership, in full collaboration with Yakama Nation Behavioral Health & Comprehensive Healthcare, Healing Seasons takes a holistic approach in providing cultural interventions to:

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1) Reduce & prevent further substance use development while reducing PTSD & HIV/STI risks and

2) Treatment of PTSD to decrease substance misuse & prevent HIV/STI risks.

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Using evidence based interventions, Motivational Interviewing Therapy with Skills Training (MIST), a goal setting & skill based talk therapy, and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), a story based exposure therapy, we are recruiting 200 American Indian, Alaskan Native and descendants, ages 16 & older for the next 2 - 4 years. 

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Participation is confidential & completely voluntary.

Eligible participants will receive up to 6 free counseling sessions, transportation* & up to $345 throughout the life of the study.

An Advisory Board of eight nominated community leaders meet 6 times a year to provide overall guidance, review & comment on study materials to ensure that Healing Seasons is respectful to Yakama culture & tradition.  Our current Advisory Board Members are:

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 Anita Mendoza                 Haver Jim             Diane Sekaquaptewa          Willow Jim

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                                                          Patricia Whitefoot

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Former members: Oscar Olney, Mattie Tomeo-Palmanteer, Ted Strong, Jarod Swan, Gregory Sutterlict

This research project is a partnership between the Yakama Nation Women's Wellness Initiative & the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute at the University of Washington.

YN Tribal Resolution   #T-091-15 (05/07/2015)