Indigenous-Informed Counselling

Finding Culturally Safe Mental Health Support

At Insight Psychological, we know that healing looks different for everyone. For many Indigenous clients, Western psychology alone isn’t enough. We offer a space where your cultural identity, traditions, and healing preferences are honoured.

We serve First Nations, Métis, and Inuit clients in-person in Edmonton, Calgary, and Sherwood Park. Secure online counselling is also available Alberta-wide.

Insight Psychological has long supported Indigenous individuals, families, and communities across Alberta through partnerships with organizations including Alexander First Nation, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, and First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, while continuing to strengthen our culturally responsive approach to care.

Our Indigenous-Informed Care Services

Our therapists support Indigenous clients navigating:

• Trauma: Historical trauma, residential school impacts (direct or intergenerational), abuse, violence
• Grief and loss: Deaths in the community, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), cultural loss
• Identity and belonging: Reconnecting with culture, navigating urban/reserve life, mixed heritage, adoption/Sixties Scoop impacts
• Mental health conditions: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, complex trauma, suicidal thoughts
• Substance use: Alcohol or drug dependence, harm reduction support
• Family and relationships: Parenting challenges, intimate partner conflict, family breakdown, child welfare involvement
• Systemic oppression stress: Ongoing racism, discrimination, poverty, housing instability, justice system involvement

Our Approach: Two-Eyed Seeing

We practice two-eyed seeing (Etuaptmumk), honouring both Indigenous knowledge systems and Western psychology, using the strengths of each. You decide which tools feel right for your healing journey.

The following philosophies guide our work:

• You are the expert on your life. Therapy follows your goals, your pace, your preferences.
• Culture is medicine. Ceremony, land, Elders’ teachings, and community are powerful, Western psychology is one tool, not a replacement.
• Trauma-informed, always. We understand how historical and ongoing trauma shows up. We build trust slowly and never blame you for survival responses.
• Healing is relational. Family, community, and collective wellness are deeply intertwined with personal growth.
• Leading with humility. Our team recognized that we do not have all the answers, and we are honoured to listen, learn, and walk alongside you and your community. 

How to Get Started With Indigenous-Informed Care

Step 1: Contact Us

Give us a call at 780-461-1717  or contact us online to discuss your needs with our intake team.

Let us know:

• You’re seeking Indigenous-informed care
• Whether you prefer an Indigenous therapist
• If you have NIHB coverage (have your Status Card ready)
• Any specific concerns or goals

Step 2: We’ll Match You with the Right Therapist

Based on your needs, preferences, location, and availability, we prioritize finding the right fit for your journey. 

As our therapist network is highly specialized—with smaller capacity for NIHB—we may have fewer options at times; however, we are committed to helping you explore the best available resources. Clients retain full autonomy to choose their therapeutic path, define their wellness goals, and decide in tandem with their therapist which approaches work best for them.

Step 3: First Appointment

• Bring your Status Card if applicable
• Come as you are. Your unique journey is welcome here, and we meet you wherever you are on it
• Your first session is about getting to know each other and figuring out if it’s a good fit

Step 4: Ongoing Support

• Sessions typically weekly or bi-weekly, but flexible based on your needs
• Your therapist will check in regularly about whether the approach is working for you

Frequently Asked Questions – Indigenous Informed Care

Can I see an Indigenous therapist at Insight?

Yes. We have both Indigenous therapists (First Nations and Métis) and non-Indigenous therapists with specialized training in Indigenous-informed care on our team. When you contact us, let us know your preference and we’ll find the right match.

Does Insight Psychological accept NIHB (Non-Insured Health Benefits) coverage?

We are actively working to expand our NIHB provider roster. Some of our therapists are currently enrolled as approved NIHB providers through Indigenous Services Canada. You can learn more HERE.

Will my therapist understand intergenerational trauma and the impacts of colonization?

Yes, this is foundational to our Indigenous-informed approach. Our team of Indigenous-informed therapists at Insight understand the lasting effects of residential schools, intergenerational trauma transmission, the Sixties Scoop and ongoing child welfare over-intervention, systemic racism within healthcare, justice, and social services and much more.

Our therapists don’t expect you to educate them about these realities, our therapists have taken the time to understand the broader context shaping many Indigenous experiences, allowing you to focus on feeling supported, understood, and receiving the care you need.

Can I integrate traditional healing practices into my therapy?

Absolutely. We recognize that Western talk therapy is just one pathway to healing. Your therapist can support you in working alongside and building connections with Elders, participating in ceremonies, using Medicine Wheel teachings, connecting with the land, and any other culturally meaningful practices that feel important to you and your healing journey.

You decide what healing looks like for you. Some clients prefer a primarily Western therapeutic approach, while others want their care more deeply connected to culture and tradition. There is no single “right” way to heal, only the approach that feels most supportive, safe, and meaningful for you.

Note on smudging: While building regulations and allergies limit onsite smudging, your therapist can discuss other meaningful ways to support your spiritual preparation and healing journey.

Can I bring family members or Elders to my sessions?

Yes. We understand that healing is relational and communal for many Indigenous people. You’re welcome to invite extended family, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, or community supports.  Please just let your therapist know in advance so they can plan for the session accordingly and ensure enough space/time.

What if I’m not sure I want to see a psychologist? What if I’m worried about being judged or misunderstood?

It’s understandable to have questions or concerns about counselling, especially if you’ve had negative experiences with healthcare, social services, or other support systems in the past. At Insight Psychological, we strive to create a respectful, welcoming environment where your experiences, values, and perspectives are heard and respected. We are committed to:

• No assumptions. Your therapist will not assume they understand your unique experience based on stereotypes
• Your pace. You’re in control of what you share and when
• Confidentiality is protected, and what you share stays between you and your therapist The only exceptions are when there are legal or ethical requirements to act, such as if there is an immediate risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else, concerns about the safety of a child, or a court order requiring records.

If at any point you feel misunderstood or uncomfortable, you can ask for a different therapist, no questions asked, no judgment.