Cultural Considerations
Collaboration
Our clinic has established partnerships with local Indigenous health centres and organizations.
Incorporating Indigenous Perspective
We acknowledge the interconnectedness of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health and recognize the importance of cultural identity in healing.
Cultural Awareness Training
Staff members, including therapists and administrators, undergo comprehensive training on Indigenous cultures, histories, and worldviews.
Narrative Approach
Weaving narrative therapy techniques and storytelling as a decolonizing approach to counselling work with Indigenous peoples.
Counselling from the lens of two-eyed seeing
Two-Eyed Seeing, a concept developed by Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall, emphasizes the importance of incorporating both Indigenous knowledge and Western scientific knowledge. By using Two-Eyed Seeing in counseling, counselors can offer more holistic and effective support to clients, considering both their cultural background and their mental health needs.
Two-eyed seeing
Two-Eyed Seeing is a concept that combines Indigenous ways of understanding the world with Western scientific knowledge. It’s like using two eyes to see things more clearly. One eye represents Indigenous knowledge, which includes traditional teachings, cultural practices, and ways of understanding the world passed down through generations. The other eye represents Western knowledge, which includes scientific research, therapy techniques, and medical treatments.
A balance of mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellness
“The journey being one of continuous learning and weaving together both perspectives to create a new worldview that uses both these “eyes” together, for everyone’s benefit.”
– CTRI
1. What do I need?
You will need a status card to access NIHB counselling with a registered mental heatlh provider
2. How many sessions?
An eligible client is covered for up to 22 sessions/year for individual, couples or family therapy
3. Call to get started
Contact our office to initiate the preapproval process with NIHB before your first appointment
4. Pick your therapist
Most of our counsellors are NIHB approved providers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program for Indigenous counselling?
The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program provides eligible First Nations and Inuit individuals access to Indigenous counselling services. At Creating Connection, we offer NIHB-approved native counselling services both in-person and virtually across Ontario to support your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health.
How many Indigenous therapy sessions are covered under NIHB?
NIHB covers up to 22 sessions of Indigenous therapy per year, including individual, couples, or family therapy. These sessions are offered by our NIHB-registered mental health professionals at Creating Connection, with flexible options for in-person and virtual Indigenous or native counselling across Northern Ontario, including Timmins, Thunder Bay, North Bay, and Sudbury.
What do I need to access Indigenous counselling through NIHB?
To access Indigenous or native counselling services through the NIHB program at Creating Connection, you will need to provide a valid status card. Contact us to initiate the pre approval process for your first counselling appointment.
How does Two-Eyed Seeing apply to Indigenous therapy?
Two-Eyed Seeing combines Indigenous ways of knowing with Western scientific approaches, offering a more holistic view in Indigenous counselling. This approach at Creating Connection integrates traditional teachings, cultural practices, and evidence-based therapy techniques, allowing for culturally respectful and effective Indigenous and native counselling.
What is narrative therapy, and how is it used in Indigenous counselling?
Narrative therapy is a method where storytelling helps individuals reframe their experiences and heal. In our Indigenous counselling approach at Creating Connection, we incorporate narrative therapy techniques with Indigenous cultural practices, offering a decolonizing form of therapy that supports the mental health and well-being of Indigenous clients.
Can I choose my therapist for Indigenous therapy?
Yes, at Creating Connection, you can select from our NIHB-approved counsellors to find the right fit for your Indigenous or native counselling needs. All our therapists have undergone cultural awareness training to provide respectful and effective Indigenous counselling, whether in-person or through virtual sessions.
What is the significance of cultural identity in Indigenous counselling?
Cultural identity is central to the healing process in Indigenous counselling. At Creating Connection, we recognize the interconnectedness of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health, and we incorporate Indigenous perspectives and practices into our Indigenous and native counselling services to ensure a culturally sensitive approach that supports holistic healing.
What kind of cultural awareness training do your staff undergo for Indigenous therapy?
All of our staff, including therapists and administrative personnel, complete comprehensive training on Indigenous cultures, histories, and worldviews. This training equips them to provide culturally sensitive Indigenous and native counselling, ensuring compassionate and respectful support for our Indigenous clients.
What Indigenous and native counselling services are available for Indigenous clients?
We offer a variety of Indigenous and native counselling services for Indigenous clients, including individual therapy, couples counselling, family therapy, and youth therapy. Our services are available in-person in Timmins and virtually across Ontario, including in North Bay, Thunder Bay, and Sudbury.
How do I begin Indigenous therapy with an NIHB-approved provider?
Getting started with Indigenous counselling through NIHB at Creating Connection is simple. Contact our office to begin the preapproval process, and we’ll guide you through the steps. We offer flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend appointments, for both in-person and virtual Indigenous and native counselling sessions to suit your needs.