Collaborative and Indigenous Mental Health Therapy: Tātaihono - Stories of Māori Healing and Psychiatry (Writing Lives: Ethnographic Narratives)

A significant contribution to the growing literature on indigenous views of health and illness. Asserts and secures Maori identity amid global pressures for cultural uniformity and homogenization. An informative journey into the Maori way-of-knowing and way-of-being in the world. The glossary of Maori language terms is a special treat.

Anthony J. Marsella, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Psychology, University of Hawaii.

Ahakoa he pukapuka i roto i te Reo Pakeha, ka puta mai he whakaaro Maori tuturu. Na raua i rangatira motuhake ai ta tatou akoranga hei whakamahiti korou to tatou mahi tahi, kia piki ake ai te oranga o nga whanau. Despite being in English, a truly Maori approach is visible. The two authors present a unique opportunity to elevate our learning in order to strengthen working together so that whanau health is advanced.

Dr Hinemoa Elder, Professor in Indigenous Mental Health Research and Director of Te Whare Matai Aronui, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi

Tataihono is a unique book on what should be a culturally-adapted and person-centered care in the 21st century. It outlines the experiences of two exceptional individuals, one a Maori healer and the other a European-New Zealander psychiatrist, whom carefully manage together challenging clinical cases among the Maori. A wonderful account on Indigenous healers-psychiatrists' collaboration and their contributions to global mental health.

Mario Incayawar, M.D, MSc., PhD., Runajambi Institute, Inca Nation, South America.

The book is wonderful and makes a great contribution to psychiatry both in Australia and New Zealand. It furthers our understanding of the human experience through a cultural lens and clearly demonstrates the importance of good, respectful relationships within the clinical team and with the families seeking assistance. It also highlights the importance and significance of Indigenous knowledge and the benefit from using both a western and Indigenous perspective in achieving good outcomes. I really like the way the book has been written by honouring the voices of all who participated in the case studies and acknowledging their shared wisdom and experiences.

Professor Helen Milroy, Director, Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health

I found this to be an excellent exposition of quality clinical practice in mental health in a bicultural framework. I would strongly commend it to trainee psychiatrists as a core text in their training, and would recommend it to all those working in mental health in New Zealand.

Professor Pete Ellis, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Otago, Wellington

This work will be of wide interest to multiple practitioner and lay audiences both nationally and internationally, for people with difficulties of this kind and their families, for indigenous and non-indigenous mental health workers in different contexts, for clinical teachers, trainees and researchers, and anyone concerned with the mental health and wellbeing of those in their communities.

Professor Tim McCreanor, Social Scientist, Massey University, Auckland

Kay Ingamells, Lecturer, Department of Social Practice, UNITEC Institute of Technology, Auckland

The authors have been able to use recordings of the actual clinical sessions to ensure accuracy of the content. They have also been able to follow up with the patients and have obtained updates on clinical outcomes and reflections on their experiences of the treatment they received. This all combines to provide a rich picture of how a truly collaborative interface between scientific and indigenous Maori knowledge looks. This definitely has value for clinicians of any ethnicity who will be working with Maori, at any level of experience. I will certainly be reading this book again.

Clive Banks, Consultant Clinical Psychologist: Ora Toa Mauriora