Do I need a diagnosis or a referral?

No to both. You don't need a diagnosis to start. You just need to be tired of carrying it alone. In Ontario you can book with a psychologist directly, though some insurance plans ask for a doctor's note, so check yours.

Does virtual therapy work for anxiety?

Yes. Research shows online therapy can be as effective as therapy in person, and many people find it easier to open up from their own space. There's also no chance of running into your auntie in the waiting room.

What does culturally safe anxiety therapy look like?

Culturally safe therapy means you don't have to explain colonization, residential schools or the Sixties Scoop before getting help. As an Indigenous psychologist, I combine evidence-based tools like CBT and DBT with Indigenous values, and you decide how much culture comes into our sessions.

What if I need help right now?

If you're in crisis, call 911, or call the Hope for Wellness Help Line, free and available 24/7 to Indigenous people across Canada, at 1-855-242-3310.

VIRTUAL ACROSS ONTARIO

Burnout Therapy for Indigenous
People in Ontario

For when you've been running on
empty for too long.

The alarm goes off and you're already tired. You're saying yes to everyone, with nothing left over for you. Work that used to feed you now drains you. Virtual burnout therapy with an Indigenous psychologist, in Ottawa, Toronto, or wherever you are in Ontario.

BOOK A FREE CONSULT

Indigenous professional feeling burnout at work, Ontario

THERAPY ROOTED IN THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY AND AN INDIGENOUS LENS

YOU KNOW THIS FEELING

What burnout actually feels like

You're tired before the day starts

Coffee stops working by 10am. Sleep doesn't fix it, and weekends just feel like recovery time.

Work that mattered feels empty

You still care, but you feel numb, cynical, or far away from the things that used to light you up.

You've got nothing left to give

You snap at people you love, then feel guilty for hours. Everyone gets a piece of you except you.

“
QUOTE FOR BURNOUT

THE WHOLE PICTURE

Signs your burnout needs attention

Burnout shows up differently for everyone. We look at all of you:

mind, body, spirit and how you're living day to day.

Emotional

Feeling drained, numb, irritable or hopeless. Crying more easily, or not feeling much at all.

Mental

Brain fog, forgetfulness, trouble focusing, and a to-do list that never stops running in your head.

Physical

Exhaustion that rest doesn't fix, headaches, getting sick more often, and tension in your neck and shoulders.

Spiritual

Feeling disconnected from yourself, your culture, and the things that used to ground you.

Behavioural

Pulling away from people, putting things off, and leaning on caffeine, wine or scrolling to get through the day.

Dr. Dana, Indigenous psychologist in Ontario sitting on a couch.

WHY CULTURE MATTERS

Burnout doesn't happen in a
vacuum.

For a lot of us, burnout carries extra weight: being the go-to person for everything Indigenous at work, sitting on every committee, caring for family and community on top of a full-time job, and feeling like you have to be twice as good to be taken seriously. Add generations of being told to be resilient, push through and not ask for help, and it makes sense that you're running on empty.

You shouldn't have to explain colonization, residential schools or the Sixties Scoop before you can get to what brought you in. And you shouldn't have to explain why saying no to your community feels impossible.

HOW THERAPY HELPS

Practical tools that help

Therapy brings together evidence-based psychology and Indigenous values, so the tools actually fit your life. Anxiety treatment isn't one-size-fits-all.

Name what's draining you

What's been asked of you for too long, where your energy is going, and what keeps you stuck in the cycle.

Set boundaries that hold

Practical ways to say no, protect your time, and stop feeling guilty for taking care of yourself.

Rebuild your energy

Skills from CBT and DBT to settle your nervous system, rest without guilt, and reconnect with what grounds you.

BOOK A FREE CONSULT

WHAT TO EXPECT

The practical details

FREE CONSULT

A no-pressure 15-minute call to see if we're a good fit. No referral needed.

FIRST SESSION

A conversation: why you're here, what you're hoping for, and anything you want to ask me.

VIRTUAL SESSIONS

A secure, encrypted link with no app to download. Join from home, work, your car, or the bush if you've got wifi.

COVERAGE & FEES

NIHB approved, and I handle eligibility and claims. Also Canada Life, Manulife, GreenShield, CINUP, and VAC.

Dr. Dana, Indigenous psychologist in Ontario

MEET YOUR THERAPIST

She:kon. I'm Dr. Dana.

I'm a clinical psychologist from the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation, with nearly 20 years of experience in Indigenous mental health. My approach is casual and comfortable. Expect real tools, honest conversation, and probably some laughter. Laughter is medicine.

Get to Know Dr. Dana

BEFORE YOU REACH OUT

Questions About Burnout Therapy

Is burnout a real diagnosis?

Burnout isn't a formal mental health diagnosis, but the World Health Organization recognizes it as an occupational phenomenon caused by chronic workplace stress. It's real, and it often overlaps with anxiety and depression. You don't need a diagnosis to start therapy.

Do I need a referral?

No. In Ontario you can book with a psychologist directly, though some insurance plans ask for a doctor's note, so check yours.

How do I know if it's burnout or depression?

They can look a lot alike. Burnout is usually tied to work or caregiving and eases when you get real distance from it. Depression tends to follow you into every part of your life. Often it's a bit of both, and we sort that out together.

How are burnout, anxiety, and panic attacks connected?

They often travel together. When you've been running on stress for months, your nervous system gets stuck on high alert. That constant state of alarm can show up as anxiety: racing thoughts, dread, and trouble switching off. For some people, it builds until the body sounds the alarm all at once in a panic attack. Many people are surprised that panic hits when they finally slow down, like on a Sunday night or the first day of vacation. Therapy works on all three together by calming your nervous system and changing what's driving the stress.

What does a panic attack feel like?

A sudden wave of intense fear with a pounding heart, tight chest, shortness of breath, shaking, dizziness, or a feeling that something terrible is about to happen. It usually peaks within about 10 minutes, then passes. Panic attacks are frightening, but they aren't dangerous, and they're very treatable. If you have chest pain or trouble breathing for the first time, get checked by a doctor to rule out a physical cause.

Does virtual therapy work for burnout?

Yes. Research shows online therapy can be as effective as therapy in person. And when you're already stretched thin, no commute means one less thing on your plate.

Is burnout therapy covered by NIHB?

If you have Indigenous status, likely yes. I'm an approved NIHB provider and I handle the eligibility check and claims myself, so that part isn't on you.

READY WHEN YOU ARE

You Don't Have to Run on Empty

Book a free 15-minute consult. No referral, no pressure.

BOOK A FREE CONSULT

Counselling for Indigenous people for burnout and anxiety in Ottawa and Toronto

Dr. Dana
Indigenous Mental Health Therapy

Burnout Therapy for Indigenous
People in Ontario

For when you've been running on
empty for too long.

What burnout actually feels like

You're tired before the day starts

Work that mattered feels empty

You've got nothing left to give

“
QUOTE FOR BURNOUT

Signs your burnout needs attention

Burnout doesn't happen in a
vacuum.

Practical tools that help

Name what's draining you

Set boundaries that hold

Rebuild your energy

The practical details

She:kon. I'm Dr. Dana.

Questions About Burnout Therapy

Is burnout a real diagnosis?

Do I need a referral?

How do I know if it's burnout or depression?

How are burnout, anxiety, and panic attacks connected?

What does a panic attack feel like?

Does virtual therapy work for burnout?

Is burnout therapy covered by NIHB?

You Don't Have to Run on Empty

Burnout Therapy for Indigenous People in Ontario

For when you've been running on empty for too long.

What burnout actually feels like

You're tired before the day starts

Work that mattered feels empty

You've got nothing left to give

“ QUOTE FOR BURNOUT

Signs your burnout needs attention

Burnout doesn't happen in a vacuum.

Practical tools that help

Name what's draining you

Set boundaries that hold

Rebuild your energy

The practical details

She:kon. I'm Dr. Dana.

Questions About Burnout Therapy

Is burnout a real diagnosis?

Do I need a referral?

How do I know if it's burnout or depression?

How are burnout, anxiety, and panic attacks connected?

What does a panic attack feel like?

Does virtual therapy work for burnout?

Is burnout therapy covered by NIHB?

You Don't Have to Run on Empty

Burnout Therapy for Indigenous
People in Ontario

For when you've been running on
empty for too long.

“
QUOTE FOR BURNOUT

Burnout doesn't happen in a
vacuum.