Western Carolina U Offers Indian Health Lecture

CULLOWHEE, NC - Eduardo Duran, a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with the legacy of historical trauma and Native American healing, will visit Western Carolina University to deliver the Biannual Public Lecture on Indian Health on Tuesday, Sept. 7.

The lecture, “Healing the Soul Wound,” will begin at 6 p.m. in the Grandroom of WCU’s A.K. Hinds University Center.

Duran defines historical trauma as trauma that occurs in families and is then passed on to the following generation, unless the trauma is dealt with and the cycle of passing it on comes to an end.

In his three decades of working with Native Americans, Duran has developed clinical theory and methods that integrate ancient traditional approaches and modern western strategies to make healing relevant to Native peoples. He has focused on creating effective intervention strategies for prevalent problems such as substance abuse, intergenerational trauma and internalized oppression.

Duran is the author of “Healing the Soul Wound: Counseling with American Indians and other Native People,” “Native American Postcolonial Psychology” and “The Buddha in Redface.” While at WCU, he also will present a lecture for a graduate class in social work.