Indigenous Services

Access mental health counselling through non-insured health benefits (NIHB)

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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.

All Services

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.

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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

"The advantage of Two-Eyed Seeing is that you are always fine tuning your mind into different places at once, you are always looking for another perspective and better way of doing things."

– Albert Marshall

"When we truly respect the strengths of diverse perspectives, we actually learn to see with more than two-eyes. Albert Marshall’s model encourages us to be fluid, adaptable, and to seek out a variety of approaches and worldviews. Knowledge can be gained in many ways, through relationships, experiences, self-reflection, symbolism, dreams, etc."

– Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute

"Understanding the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities of clients is the first step towards creating an inclusive environment. With that said, multicultural competence goes beyond recognizing cultural differences; it involves actively integrating cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills into therapeutic practice."

– Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute

The Caregivers Role in Child Therapy

Authored by Kelly Lamothe, MSW, RSW

Generally, children are not in therapy because they’ve requested it, rather, their caregiver, medical professional, or school has recommended they attend. Here are essential insights for caregivers to bear in mind during their child’s therapeutic journey.

Navigating the Start of Therapy
Before the first appointment, it can be helpful to prepare the child by explaining to them what they are about to do and what to expect. Offering ample reassurance, framing therapy as a positive and exciting experience, and creating positive associations can significantly enhance the child’s willingness to engage. Positive associations go a long way for helping the child enjoy and be willing to attend therapy. Pair a therapy session with a fun activity afterwards, such as allowing them a special treat or activity.

Creating a Positive Therapeutic Environment
Therapy doesn’t have to come with the same dread as going to get a cavity filled at the dentists. Therapists are committed to making the experience engaging and fun through activities like games, positive reinforcement, and creative expressions like playing with toys or art. Importantly, therapists respect a child’s comfort level and never force them to prolong a session beyond their readiness. The goal is to build positive associations that encourage the child’s enthusiasm to return. Forcing the child to stay longer than they want will not be conducive to learning new skills or building and maintaining trust.

Building Trust Over Time
Establishing trust with the therapist is a gradual process for the child. Similar to adults who may be hesitant to share inner thoughts with a stranger, it is unrealistic to expect immediate trust from a child. The initial few sessions, and sometimes longer, focus on nurturing trust, developing the therapeutic relationship, and gaining a deeper understanding of the child.

Diverse Approaches to Child Therapy
Child therapy doesn’t always appear like the traditional portrayals in the media. Unlike the image of someone on a couch in deep conversation, this is not an accurate representation of child therapy. Most children will not engage in traditional talk therapy to have deep conversations about what is troubling them as adults would. As such, the child therapist is trained to obtain relevant information and provide the child with essential skills through other modalities, such as play.

Home as an Extension of Therapy
While therapists spend limited time with the child during sessions, the caregiver plays a crucial role in reinforcing therapy at home. Just as a child needs reminders for everyday tasks, such as brushing their teeth, caregivers are responsible for prompting and supporting the child in practicing the skills learned during therapy. Like learning any new skill, practice makes progress.

Mutual Engagement in the Therapeutic Process
Caregivers are integral to the therapeutic process. The therapist may offer recommendations based on observed interactions, encouraging caregivers to manage situations and behaviors more effectively. Learning to navigate their own emotions and behaviors equips caregivers to better support their child, sometimes necessitating their own individual therapy.

Collaboration for the Child’s Success
Therapists are allies with the child’s best interests at heart. Open communication is crucial; caregivers should share thoughts and concerns, enabling therapists to tailor the therapy to the child’s unique needs and goals. If a particular approach isn’t yielding results, caregivers are encouraged to communicate with the therapist for alternative strategies. Together, caregivers and therapists form a collaborative team dedicated to the child’s success and well-being.