Decolonized Healing
Therapy grounded in Indigenous wisdom
Long before the colonization of Turtle Island (now known as North America), Indigenous peoples understood how to live a good life, or Mino-Bimaadiziwin. Through Anishinaabe teachings, communities were guided on how to honour themselves and all of creation so that we could all walk harmoniously on this Earth together.
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Although colonization and genocide attempted to erase Indigenous culture, the resiliency of Indigenous peoples has carried forward important ancestral wisdom. The Western world is beginning to recognize the strengths of Indigenous wisdom, and thus as an act of reconciliation, we must gather, protect, and empower Indigenous knowledge, which can help all of us to heal.
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Decolonized healing recognizes that there are barriers within the Western mental health system that not only impede healing, but that may also be re-traumatizing. A decolonized approach attempts to think "outside-the-box" by considering an individual's unique needs when they are seeking help, and reducing barriers to getting the help they need.
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In my therapy practice, I utilize a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, which blends together the strengths of Indigenous and Western ways of knowing. Some of the decolonized approaches that may show up in our therapy include:
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Therapy will consider our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual selves, because wellness is wholistic.
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Treatment will be culturally informed. No matter your culture or religion, therapy will consider your personal beliefs and values, and may invite a cultural leader to support your healing journey.
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Nature is an important aspect of healing, and when possible, sessions can take place outdoors.
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You are the expert of your own healing. My role is to walk alongside you in your journey, but I will not lead the way.
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Healing should be accessible. If there are any barriers to you seeking help, I am interested in hearing about these so that I can help you navigate them.
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Contact me to learn more about decolonized and culturally-informed healing!
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Land-Based Focusing Oriented Therapy:
Indigenous Wisdom in Trauma Recovery
Recovering from trauma requires us to go deeper than what talk therapy allows. Our body holds a memory of traumatic or emotionally intense experiences, and in order to heal, we need to connect to the root of our trauma to release the emotional energy that has stayed stuck in our system.
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​In 2024, I participated in a one-year training & mentorship program with Elder Dennis Windego to become certified in Land-Based Focusing Oriented Therapy, an Indigenous approach to healing trauma. This approach allows me to sit beside clients in their healing journey, empowering them to be at the centre of their own healing process through a safe, respectful, and non-interfering process.