Land Acknowledgement

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A Humble Therapy Approach for Trauma/PTSD/Generational Trauma Related Diagnosis

This package is tailored for Native American and Indigenous clients, utilizing Cultural Humility as an evidence-based theory. Essential elements include:

  • Initial rapport building and understanding of historical/cultural context.
  • Client evaluation after the first two individual sessions, assessing therapist’s use of cultural humility.
  • Cultural humility screening tool to assess interest in Native customs and traditions.
  • Trauma screening completion.
  • Cultural Humility Rating Scale administered after four full sessions.
  • Biopsychosocial assessment specific to Native American and other cultures requesting culturally based treatment.
  • Incorporation of virtual and interactive interventions reflection Native customs.
  • Respect for tribal names and preferred pronouns.

  • Emphasis on talk therapy and cultural humility therapy to break treatment barriers.
  • Encouragement of storytelling during sessions, focusing on tribal relationships and Native life.
  • Trauma-informed interventions, including strengths-based approaches and use of the medicine wheel as appropriate.
  • Emotional regulation support for complex PTSD.
  • Twice-weekly sessions for PTSD clients, with weekly homework assignments.
  • Education on the impact of drugs and alcohol on trauma symptoms.
  • Recommended use of Cultural Humility Theory with Native clients.
  • Treatment duration: 12 weeks or longer.
  • Trauma and Cultural Humility Therapy specialist involved.

Land Acknowledgement

We, at Full of Life Counseling and Addiction Services PLLC, fully acknowledge, recognize and respect the land we occupy and reside on in Connecticut. It was colonized and stolen from its original inhabitants – Indigenous People and through generations led to our present day Native American tribes- the original possessors and owners of the land. We honor the Tribes in Connecticut as the rightful owners of their land. We pay respect to all past, present, and the future Native American tribal communities and their ancestors who lost their lives fighting for their rights to ownership. We stand in solidarity with them.

A Message from the Clinical Director/ CEO

Gevonna Worney has devoted more than thirty years to the disciplines of substance abuse and alcohol addiction. She is a retiree from the Connecticut Department of Correction, where she completed 23 years of distinguished service within the criminal justice prison system. Over the last eleven years of her tenure, Ms. Worney served as Counselor Supervisor and Unit Manager for a residential treatment program, where she was instrumental in developing a specialized addiction and recovery unit featuring Therapeutic Community components.

Following her retirement in 2011, Dr. Worney pursued further credentials, earning recognition as Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). She holds a doctorate degree in social work from Simmons University, Boston, Massachusetts. The doctoral leadership, education, and clinical tracks have enabled to conduct dissertation research in Indigenous and Native American expertise, focusing on generational trauma and its impact on Native families, individuals, and communities affected by alcohol use, and implementing Cultural Humility Theory in practice.

Her interest in the effects of generational trauma upon the Native American and Indigenous community has let to the establishment of Full of Life Counseling and Addiction Services PLLC, an organization committed to providing addiction, substance abuse, and coo-occurring therapy services through Connecticut. The practice is committed to delivering cultural humility as a primary therapy, alongside trauma-informed interventions which will focus on tribal relationship and native life and Native American centered recovery. We commit to working with Tribal Court Diversion Program, partnering with Tribal Opioid response grants, ensure ongoing training for culturally responsive coursework to build more concise behavioral health program to support Native American and Indigenous clients in treatment. Backed by a team of seasoned professionals, we are fully committed to collaboration with community partners and tribal leadership, our goals is to strengthen access to high quality addiction treatment services while supporting healing and sustainable recovery for those we serve.