Consultation
For the last 21 years Shauna has worked for the Mamowichihitowin Community Wellness Program (Cree for all working together). This program provides community-based treatment for family violence and sexual abuse to both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous clients across the Grande Yellowhead region in Northwest Alberta.
From her experience, Shauna offers consultation, training, and supervision on trauma informed care and other topics related to working with populations suffering from complex trauma. She has presented to the Minister of Indigenous Relations, Conference Board of Canada, Alberta Provincial Friendship Centre Society, and to regional agencies on de-colonization, vicarious trauma, healthy work place practices, systemic racism, trauma informed approaches, and the mental health impacts of inter-generational trauma.
Initially, Shauna Grace Eriksen was the only therapist that worked across the Grande Yellowhead region (Jasper, Grande Cache, Hinton, Edson and Yellowhead County) for the Mamowichihitowin Program. As MCWP became more established, the team expanded to 14 therapists and now she primarily provides consultation and supervision. In following the flow and wisdom of the families that entered the program, the MCWP created the clinical model with local Elders, the MCWP team and the Hinton Friendship Centre. The model follows the medicine wheel teachings and evidence-based practices and is committed to decolonization and conceptualizing service through an Indigenous lens. A description of the treatment model is provided below.
Mamowichihitowin Treatment Model
The Mamowichihitowin treatment model combines both “traditional” Indigenous values and “western” therapeutic methods. We use the Medicine Wheel teaching that all aspects of self, (Mental, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual) are impacted by trauma and this holistic approach guides all aspects of our clinical work including assessment and intervention. As mentioned above, evidence based psychological practices are integrated into this holistic treatment perspective.
It has been a true honour to serve the individuals, families, and communities in Grande Yellowhead region, each person has taught me about courage, resiliency, and beauty of spirit. Further, being part of this program has given me the opportunity to learn and participate in Indigenous culture and ceremony which has brought deep healing and growth to my medicine wheel (spirit, heart, body and mind)