INDIGENOUS MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY IN ONTARIO
about Indigenous Mental Health Therapy
est. by Dr. Dana
Indigenous Mental Health Therapy was created to help Indigenous people feel comfortable, understood, and heard in the therapy space. It's therapy that combines expert psychological knowledge with values and perspectives of Indigenous culture. It's a space that honours our seven generations, complex history, and celebrates what it means to be Indigenous!
she:kon ... boozhoo ... aanii
Dr. Dana is a licensed clinical psychologist that founded Indigenous Mental Health Therapy in Ontario. She started the practice so Indigenous people can receive highly specialized culturally appropriate and trauma informed mental health care.
approach to therapy
Welcome to the therapy practice that celebrates what it means to be Indigenous!
My approach to therapy is very different from other therapists. I offer a unique perspective in therapy of bridging together evidence based mental health practices with Indigenous worldviews, perspectives, and values.
I've revised this page soooo many times. I want this page to help you decide if we'd be a good fit to work together. Because let's face it, it's a big decision to go to therapy and an even bigger decision trying to find the right therapist. And the right therapist is crucial for therapy to be effective, as research study after research study shows that having a good relationship with your therapist is the best predictor of how successful therapy will be.
I want you to feel comfortable in therapy. My doctorate degree may be in clinical psychology, but my approach to therapy is very casual. I want you to feel seen, heard, and understood. I also want you to know that you can discuss anything ... trauma, anxiety, sex, money, thoughts of harming yourself. I've been doing this for a long time, nothing is off limits or to be ashamed of.
You can expect therapy to be an active process where you are continuously learning about yourself and strategies to achieve your therapy goals.
You can also expect to laugh in sessions. Will we be talking about serious issues? Absolutely! But I'm a firm believer that laughter is medicine and when appropriately timed, laughter is a great mental health tool.
I'm someone who likes to geek out over the science of psychology and help you understand your brain, help you to see where you are at, but also help you take the next step to get to the place where you are trying to go.
Over the years, I've help support Indigenous people in navigating stress, burnout, anxiety, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and helping them develop a life they want to live.
I find it incredibility rewarding to work with high achieving Indigenous people as I want to support the people who are working diligently to help our people and communities.
PROUDLY INDIGENOUS
I know what it's like to grow up on the rez, I'm from the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. I'm not trained to be culturally sensitive, I grew up surrounded by our Mohawk language, our traditional teachings, and our Indigenous culture. I've been told numerous times from people in therapy that they appreciate not having to explain life on the rez, racism, colonization, residential schools, 60s scoop, the medicine wheel, relationships with our aunties and uncles, and self identity challenges that may pop up being Indigenous and living in a western society. I get it, there's no need to try and find the words to explain these issues or to have to give an explanation at all.
When I'm not in session, you can usually find me juggling motherhood, trying to squeeze in a workout, and appreciating moments of
rest, relaxation, and reflection.
WE COULD BE A GOOD FIT FOR THERAPY IF YOU LIKE TO
- Learn about what makes you tick
- Want to tackle life's obstacle courses
- Learn tools to help you master happiness and resiliency
- Are open to looking at the psychological roadblocks that keep you stuck and unable to move forward
3 Key Things I Believe In
I believe mental health impacts all areas of your life. Your ability to love yourself. Your ability to spend quality time with those you love. Your ability to do the things that bring you joy. Your ability to take care of your physical health. Your mental health literally impacts everything. But what I've witnessed in therapy, is that when you address the stress, anxiety, depression, or unresolved trauma the other areas of your life improve too.
I believe when you find the right therapist, counselling can be helpful. Having scared space to tell your story with a trusted psychologist is what's needed to move forward. Research study, after research study, shows that it is the therapeutic relationship that makes a difference in the outcome of therapy. My goal is to meet you where you are and together we move forward to help you gain insights, perspectives, and find joy again in your life.
Lastly, I firmly believe that "WHAT WE RESIST, PERSISTS". Meaning if you don't address the issues that are causing you distress ... the stress, anxiety, burnout, depression ... whatever it is, it will continue to cause you distress until you address the issue head on. This is something you don't have to tackle by yourself. I am here to help you address the issues and we move at your pace.
credentials
When you're looking for a therapist, you often want to know if the person is qualified to help. I've been practicing as a clinical psychologist for nearly 20 years with a focus on Indigenous mental health. I've worked in psychiatric hospitals, inpatient programs, and community mental health programs. Here's the other resume type stuff of credentials.
education
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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Clinical Psychology, Lakehead University
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Masters of Arts (MA), Clinical Psychology, Lakehead University
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Bachelors of Arts, Psychology, Carleton University
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Certificate for Intensive Training for Dialectical Behavioral Therapy from Behavioral Tech Institute
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Certificate for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from Beck Institute
professional memberships
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College of Psychologist of Ontario
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Ontario Psychological Association
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Psychology Today
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Canadian Council for Indigenous Business