You decide what feels right
We'll check in with you about how therapy is going and whether it feels respectful and comfortable. If something isn't working, tell us and we'll change it.
First Nations & Inuit · NIHB · Ontario
NIHB-covered therapy for First Nations and Inuit clients in Ontario
Culturally sensitive, trauma-informed counselling for individuals and couples. We're an enrolled NIHB provider and bill the program directly, so eligible sessions cost you nothing. Meet with us by video from anywhere in Ontario, or in person in Toronto.
Our Approach
Culturally sensitive care that follows your lead.
In our work with First Nations and Inuit clients, we follow the Canadian Psychological Association's 2018 report, Psychology's Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Report. That includes its principles of cultural allyship and social justice. Here's what that looks like in practice.
We understand the history
Residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, child welfare removals, and racism in health care still affect individuals and families today. We see these as part of your story, and we explore how historical and intergenerational trauma impacts you today.
Room for traditional healing
If ceremony, Elders, land, or language are part of how you heal, you're welcome to bring that into our work. If they aren't, that's fine too. We'll follow your lead.
We don't assume
Our therapists are not Indigenous, and First Nations and Inuit communities each have their own languages, teachings, and histories. We'll ask rather than assume, keep learning, and see allyship as an ongoing part of our work.
We start with your strengths
Family, community, humour, culture, and the ways you've already gotten through hard times matter. We build on those, and we pay attention to how you're doing emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
No surprises
We'll explain what we're doing and why, what goes in your file, and who can see it. You can ask questions, slow things down, or change direction whenever you need to.
Understanding the Context
What you carry makes sense.
More than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children were sent to residential schools in Canada. That history, along with the Sixties Scoop, child welfare removals, and ongoing discrimination, is still felt in families today. Therapy tends to help most when it takes this history seriously and makes space for culture and community as sources of strength. Many people have also had bad experiences with health care, so we don't expect trust right away. We hope to earn it.
What this means for your care
You set the pace, the goals, and the role culture plays in your therapy.
- We'll talk about how past and family history affect you today, at whatever pace feels okay.
- Traditional healing and work with Elders are welcome alongside therapy.
- Your partner can be part of the work if you'd like them to be.
- We adapt proven trauma treatments to fit your values and goals.
How We Help
Support for individuals and couples.
We work with adults and couples on everything from trauma and grief to everyday stress and relationship struggles.
Trauma and PTSDIntergenerational traumaAnxiety and depressionGrief and lossSubstance use and copingRelationship and couples concernsStress from racism and discriminationIdentity and cultural reconnection
Treatment Approaches
EMDR Therapy
Helps you work through painful memories without having to describe every detail. Useful when talking about what happened feels like too much.
Learn moreCognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Looks at the beliefs trauma can leave behind, like self-blame, shame, or mistrust, and helps you loosen their hold.
Learn moreDBT Skills
Practical skills for handling strong emotions, distress, and relationships. They can sit alongside the cultural and traditional ways you already cope.
Learn moreTrauma-Informed Therapy for Other Concerns
Anxiety, depression, grief, OCD, and other struggles, treated with an understanding of how past experiences can shape them.
Learn moreCouples Therapy
Support for partners working through conflict, distance, trust, or big life changes, so you can feel more connected again.
Learn moreTrauma-Informed Couples Therapy
For partners dealing with conflict, distance, or trust issues, with attention to how each person's history shows up in the relationship.
Learn moreCouples Therapy for PTSD (CBCT)
When one or both partners are living with PTSD, this approach treats the trauma while strengthening the relationship at the same time.
Learn moreHigh-Conflict Couples Therapy (DBT)
For couples caught in intense, repeated fights. Partners learn skills to stay calmer and work through disagreements without blowing up.
Learn moreNIHB Coverage
Understanding your coverage and how to access it.
NIHB covers up to 22 hours of mental health counselling per calendar year with an enrolled provider. The first two hours don't need prior approval, and we take care of approval requests after that. We bill NIHB directly, so there's nothing for you to pay or submit.
To get started, we just need your full name, date of birth, and your registration (status) number or Inuit beneficiary number. Individual and couples sessions are covered, in person or by video.
You may be eligible if you are
- 01A First Nations person registered under the Indian Act
- 02An Inuk recognized by an Inuit land claim organization
- 03And you live in Ontario
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about NIHB and how we work.
Don't see your question here? Reach out anytime. There's no pressure to book.
The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program is run by Indigenous Services Canada. Its mental health counselling benefit pays for counselling for eligible First Nations and Inuit clients when another plan doesn't already cover it. Counselling has to be provided by a regulated mental health provider who is enrolled with NIHB. Individual and couples sessions are covered, both in person and virtually.
You're eligible if you are a resident of Canada and are either registered under the Indian Act or recognized by an Inuit land claim organization. You'll need your registration (status) number or Inuit beneficiary number. If you're not sure whether you qualify, ask us during your free intro call and we'll help you check.
No. NIHB doesn't currently cover Métis or non-status First Nations clients. You're still very welcome here, and we're happy to talk through other ways to pay for therapy, like workplace benefits or one of our limited sliding scale spots.
NIHB covers up to 22 hours of counselling per calendar year. The first two hours don't need prior approval, and we request approval for the rest on your behalf. We bill NIHB directly, so you won't pay anything for covered sessions. If you're getting close to your limit, we'll talk with you about next steps well ahead of time.
Yes. NIHB covers couples counselling, and we work with couples on conflict, trust, communication, and the ways trauma can affect a relationship. We can bill NIHB directly.
Yes, if you'd like to. Some people smudge before a virtual session, work with an Elder or Knowledge Keeper alongside therapy, or want their sessions to connect with ceremony and time on the land. Others prefer to keep therapy separate. Either is fine. We won't lead or perform ceremonies ourselves, but we'll support what you're already doing.
Yes. We offer secure video sessions anywhere in Ontario, so you can meet with us from home or from wherever you're most comfortable, including northern and fly-in communities with a reliable connection. NIHB covers virtual sessions the same way it covers in-person ones. We also see clients in person at our Toronto office.
Yes. What you share stays between you and your therapist, within the legal and ethical limits that apply to all regulated mental health providers in Ontario. NIHB only receives what's needed to process claims and approvals, not what you talk about in session. We'll go over this with you before you start.
If you're in crisis, call or text 9-8-8 or go to your nearest emergency department. The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers free support for Indigenous Peoples across Canada, 24 hours a day, at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat. Counselling is available in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut on request.
Take the First Step
We'd be glad to hear from you.
Book a free intro call to ask questions, confirm your NIHB coverage, and find a therapist who feels like a good fit.
Book a Free Intro CallVirtual & In-Person · Ontario
Getting Started
Starting therapy is simple and supportive.
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Get in touch by booking a call online with our intake coordinator or by completing the contact form. You can also email admin@traumacarepsychology.ca or call (647) 456-7500.
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Complete a 20-minute intake call so we can determine the best therapist fit and treatment direction. Alternatively, browse our clinician directory and book a free 20-minute consultation directly with a clinician you feel is a good fit.
Browse our clinician directory → - 3
Schedule your first session and begin a personalized treatment plan based on your goals and concerns.
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Contact Us
Fill out the form and our intake coordinator will be in contact shortly.
Virtual care across Ontario · In-person in Toronto.